Reaping What We Sow (643 words)

“Ayya (Sir), I haven’t eaten in two days. I’m starving. Can you kindly spare me something?” pleaded the young girl, barely nine years old, her voice trembling with hunger.

“Go, go away! I’m in a hurry. We’ll see later,” snapped Punyakodi, barely glancing at her as he kicked his motorcycle into gear.

“Ayya, please,” she begged, her desperation rising. “I feel like I’m going to die from hunger. Just a little money, even for a bun, would be enough. Please, do not refuse.”

“I told you once already, didn’t I? Are you deaf or what? Get lost!” he barked, his voice cold and impatient as he sped away on his roaring bike.

Later that morning, Punyakodi stood nervously in the plush office of the Joint Managing Director, fidgeting as he waited. The officer, deeply engrossed in paperwork, didn’t bother looking up.

“What do you want?” the Jt. MD asked dismissively.

“Sir, last year’s raise was far too little. If you could kindly consider a better increase this year, it would greatly help. I’m struggling to make ends meet,” Punyakodi said softly, his tone submissive.

“Don’t you have anything better to do than bother me this early? Can’t you see I’m busy? We’ll see later,” the officer retorted, waving him away with irritation.

“Please, sir. This is my only chance to speak with you. My children are studying, and things are tough at home. I’m only asking for a little mercy,” Punyakodi urged his voice tight with anxiety.

“Didn’t I make myself clear? Get out! I said I’m busy!” The officer’s words stung with finality, dismissing him with a wave.

The humiliation weighed on Punyakodi as he returned to his seat, more stung by the harshness than the refusal itself. After 15 years of loyal service, being waved away so callously gnawed at his pride. As he brooded over the morning’s bitter encounter, a sudden image flashed in his eyes—the young girl in tattered clothes, pleading for help to buy a simple bun. He had refused her with the same coldness that he had just faced.

A wave of remorse engulfed him. Was the humiliation at the office, not karma, boomeranging for his cruelty in the morning? He felt a deep sense of shame and regret for how he had treated the girl. It was a lesson, a painful one.

The next morning, as he left his house, Punyakodi noticed the same girl walking by, not even glancing his way. Her face was downcast, worn from hunger.

“Wait,” he called out, his voice gentle.

Startled, the girl stopped and turned, unsure. Punyakodi approached her and handed her a hundred rupee note. “Take this. Buy food for yourself and your family. And come to my house with your parents this Sunday. Let me see how else I can help.”

The girl’s eyes widened in disbelief, and she hesitated momentarily before folding her hands in gratitude. She bent to touch his feet, but he gently stopped her. His heart felt lighter, the weight of guilt finally lifting.

That afternoon, at 3 PM, Punyakodi was unexpectedly summoned to the Jt. MD’s office again. His stomach twisted with unease, expecting further humiliation. But to his surprise, as he entered, the officer extended his hand in apology.

“Punyakodi,” the Jt. MD said, his tone softened, “Yesterday I was under a lot of stress with some personal issues. I realize now that I responded insensitively to your genuine request. To whom else can you plead your case but to me? Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it. Be cheerful. No hard feelings, please.”

A wave of relief surged through Punyakodi. His heart felt at peace, not because of the promise of a raise, but because he had learned a valuable lesson about empathy and kindness. He had reaped what he had sown, but now, he had sown something better.

Why repeatedly expose Indians to Taliban killings?

By: K Parthasarathi4/16/2008 4:58:36

http://www.blogs.ivarta.com/india-usa-blog-column99.htm
The killing of Indian workers engaged in rehabilitation and reconstruction projects in Afghanistan has assumed such a regularity that the Indian government can no longer ignore. Two BRO personnel have now been killed and a few others injured by a suicide bomber attack despite a prior warning from Afghan interior minister that the road project BRO was engaged in was on the Taliban hit list. We had lost young lives earlier too at the hands of the Taliban outfit. The circumstances and locale of their tragic ends have not varied much. Unarmed and unguarded they fell victims in the hands of the thugs for no hostile act except for doing what was expected of them in their call of duty. They were the hapless targets for Taliban to vent its anger at the Indian government.

India in its political wisdom had agreed to put in its men and money in what it considered a laudable task of developing a war ravaged Afghanistan. One reason for our continued interest in getting such road projects completed could be that they would afford easy passage to Afghanistan through Iran bypassing Pakistan. But the question remains at what cost. Obviously it did not anticipate fully the extent of animosity that Taliban nursed against India. The Taliban does not want India to be involved in the development of Afghanistan. The mad outfit dislikes India working hand in hand with US, its sworn enemy, and its Afghan president. It has been proved more than once that the threat from Taliban is real and that the vast numbers of Indian workers when they stray into the interior parts without adequate security cover are sitting ducks to these terrorists.

No government can provide the kind of security to prevent kidnapping of men by terrorists waiting in ambush or against suicide attacks. Even workers of Border Roads Organization, that is known to have protective rings around its workers, have fallen victims. It is not that Taliban had not warned Indian government. Its ultimatums that Indians leave Afghanistan for good reveal their malicious intent. The message of such dastardly killings is loud and clear that India should steer clear of any programme for development of Afghanistan and not get close to the Afghan ruling set up.

While it is agreed that no government worth its salt can submit to such diktats from ruthless terrorist outfits in shaping its foreign policies, it is expected that adequate measures would be taken to prevent loss of lives. The Minister in charge of external affairs as expected has made it clear that India would not be deterred by such threats from Taliban and would continue to assist in the development of Afghanistan. But the consequences of such a refusal to succumb to threats without adequate back up to protect its personnel have been tragic. More so when the government could not do much to secure our men"s safety even when they work in BRO protected by the large presence of ITBP troops. The safety and security of India"s workers should not be allowed to depend on the protection of local forces and the private companies. The writ of Afghan President does not seem to spread far and wide as Taliban could strike at will and his government is too weak to protect its own people, let alone the Indian workers.

The danger of an attack by the capricious and barbaric insurgents, who owe allegiance to our inimical forces, cannot be termed as unexpected. Yet our personnel are insensitively allowed to fend for themselves in a hostile environment without the kind of security ring capable of thwarting murderous attempts. Assessment of risks to the Indian workers in vulnerable areas and forewarning them is the prime responsibility of our government. Commiserating with bereaved families after the brutal murders and compensating them with large amounts may bring immediate succor to the affected families and soothe the shocked sentiments of Indian citizens but cannot bring back the valuable lives lost.

Fighting a war to safeguard the integrity of the nation and losing men in the battles is an accepted risk with the men in army trained and well equipped to protect themselves and the others with them. The country also sends its army for peace keeping operations under the auspices of UN notwithstanding the dangers involved. There is a well organized plan and strategy by the military establishment behind these operations. But the case of developing a hostile area with the help of civilian workers without the fool proof cover of armed men as in an army is altogether of a different nature.

Permitting our personnel of BRO travel in the interior parts in the company of other Afghans, who are perhaps not seen as enemies by the insurgents, is a very risky proposition. It is also no consolation that quite a number of Afghan nationals have also been killed. No government with the best of intentions can save the people once fallen in the hands of fanatical and ruthless outfits. There are lessons to be learnt from these gruesome killings. What steps are envisaged by the Indian government to prevent a recurrence of similar fate to other Indians and to ensure their full safety is not known. It is hoped that they will not be allowed to work under the care of a feeble Afghan government and exposed to the mercies of mindless Taliban.

When Afghanistan, to whose help we have gone, is unable to contain the insurgents and provide a safe climate for our men to lay the roads, it is perhaps necessary to examine de novo our earlier decision to build roads and welfare projects.. Would it not be better like many other countries to offer money and materials for its development instead of sending men particularly to such countries where there is a religious slant and hostile jihadist movements?

There is no detraction from prestige in going back on our commitment and withdrawing our men from places where they are easy targets for the insurgents. Such a denouement should not be seen as a victory for Taliban. It is a tactical move to protect our men without weakening the country"s close relationship with Afghanistan and its current rulers. India need not dilute its support for reconstruction of Afghanistan and can support it with liberal aid without exposing its men to murderous assaults. There seems no other credible way for the Indian government to prevent recurrence of such civilian tragedies in future.K Parthasarathi Feedback to author

Arresting inflation on war footing

By: K Parthasarathi4/11/2008

The steep rise in inflation with the whole sale price inflation touching 7% is causing concern. This sudden spurt in prices has thrown household budget of the common man into total disarray and the poorer sections are the hardest hit with the prices of food items like wheat, oil, pulses, and vegetables having gone up substantially. The manufactured items like steel, cement, coal have also gone up bringing in its wake all round escalation in prices. It is not that government is impervious to the unwelcome development but its response has been slow to the locomotion of events. There is now pressure on the government to take steps to control the inflationary spiral. It has already taken some fiscal measures like scrapping import duty on crude edible oils and banning export of edible oils and pulses to arrest the upward movement of prices although the effect of these measures would manifest only after sometime. The incentives for exports of steel, cement and some minerals have been removed to make larger availability within the country and thus favourably impact on lowering prices. The steel producers have also been persuaded to reduce the prices of steel that they recently increased.As Asian Development Bank had remarked the Indian governments ability to control prices can only be limited as India is not alone in the region where inflation is rising and global commodity prices are also on the upswing. The mischief does not lie in food items alone, it is the all round price rise in non-food primary articles and basic metals that have contributed to inflation. These commodities are in short supply across the world and prices naturally have moved up. Although the price of crude has gone to very high level with no indication of coming down, its impact on local scene is not felt that much due to the administered price and subsidy. The ADB warns that that the inflation is expected to spike in 2008 and could hit a decade long regional high. According to World Bank economist, the higher commodity prices are not likely to ease up making it necessary for government to take right measures to reduce the burden on the poor. According to him the elevated prices level in metal, food and oil would remain for long period with no abatement. The importance of fiscal rectitude by the policy makers have been emphasized to tide over the difficulties.It is not enough for the ministers, politicians and economists explaining the whys of this price rise. The poor folks are neither interested to know the reasons there for nor are they impressed with such explanations. They would like the prices to be reined in quickly and made to remain stable at the affordable levels with the value of their static income not eroded unduly. Things can perhaps be managed only to some extent with mild monetary measures and by reducing the rates of customs duties on capital goods, cement, steel, edible oils, larger import of food grains and edible oils. Banning of futures trading on a food items also helps. It is not certain whether these mild measures would yield quick results in combating inflation. It is always the case that consumer price inflation for industrial workers is always lower than that for agricultural and rural labourers. The burden on the silent majority of poor labourers would be the highest. If the inflation continues to rise even after implementing the measures that are talked about, RBI would be compelled to resort to drastic measures to slow down credit growth and make borrowing costs stiffer.It has often been left to the central bank to intervene and take such monetary measures as is possible to contain the inflation. But RBI has its limitations. Drastic measures would be frowned upon as that would stifle the growth. As a result it keeps increasing the repo rates in small dosages at regular intervals. The idea is to mop up the excess liquidity caused by the inflows from abroad and to squeeze the growing credit in risky areas. The extension of credit from the banks sees no signs of abatement.It should set for itself the goal to bring down the inflation" as close as possible to 5.0% and should employ all the available policy instruments, including the CRR, to bring desired changes in liquidity depending upon the situation as it evolves. Policies like higher provisioning requirement, increase in risk weight age in specific sectors, reduction of interest rate ceiling on NRI deposits etc have all been employed in the past. When things become unmanageable stiff increase in bank rates would be inevitable slowing down the economy and bringing down the growth rates.There appears to be no quick fix solution from the government judged by the remarks of Congress spokesman that it has no magic wand to curb the inflation. He could not indicate any specific time frame to bring down the prices to bearable levels indicating a lack of clue of how things would turn out. The thinking in the government perhaps is that while global factors and increasing demand may partially explain the inflation, the constraints on the supply side are the main culprit. One view could be view that the economic growth was being driven both by an increase in consumption and in investment with the rising demand causing supply constraints stoking inflation. Emphasis may be immediately given to remove the supply side constraints.One also shudders at the thought of the great harm the implementation of 6th Pay Commissions recommendations along with tthe disbursement of arrears to be inevitably followed by state governments too will do to the cause of containing inflation.The waiver of not-so-poor farmers loans and the money available in their hands is another worry.There will be freebies in concealed form in the run up to the polls adding to the fiscal profligacy.Till such time inflation is brought under check, the government should proceed cautiously.Whatever the reasons may be, the government should get its act together and cannot allow the people to suffer. Indias agriculture has been much neglected area thanks to a minister who considered it as a part time job. India should increase its production of food grains and pulses to the full capacity. Food security should rank high in its priority and the PM should ensure this is not compromised in any way. People have not forgotten the sorry figure cut by the agriculture ministry in importing inedible wheat at exorbitant prices while denying the indigenous farmers reasonable and remunerative prices for good quality wheat.Agriculure is a key portfolio needing full time attention and should be entrusted to someone who can devote his undivided attention.With elections around the corner, the government would be keen to to contain the rising inflation on war footing. It cannot politically afford to allow the prices of essential items to escalate beyond the reach of poorer sections. Even if the monetary and other measures needed for this purpose would dampen the growth of economy, the government has no choice but to safeguard the interests of the common man. Growth is secondary only to this imperative of keeping the poor from hunger and hardship. Nevertheless prudent balancing of conflicting stands thro multi pronged strategy should ensure that inflation is curtailed and growth remains unhampered.

K Parthasarathi

The good governance: Where does India stand?

By: K Parthasarathi3/14/2008 3:39:19 PM

http://www.blogs.ivarta.com/india-usa-blog-column90.htm

Government effectiveness and stability, Rule of Law, Public administration, Public finance and outcomes were a few selected governance indicators taken by a study group for evaluating India’s standing amongst different countries However subjective it could be, this assessment revealed that India compared favourably with many developing countries though it had a long way to go to attain the levels of developed countries.

India is unique in many respects with its diverse culture, languages and many states. People of some states enjoy good prosperity, high literacy, developed infrastructure and rule of law while many are wanting in different degrees in some or all parameters although they are all under a common union government with the same financial, legal and administrative system.

The differences persist amongst them depending upon the level of governance partly by the central and largely by the respective state governments. What is governance and how does its presence or lack of it impact on the people? Governance, shorn of jargon, means the way the government conducts its operations in economic, financial, industrial, agricultural, political and social spheres that concern the citizen and the country. The country/state moves forward progressively towards development and prosperity if the governance is good. In such an ambience the people enjoy higher per capita income at all levels, wide spread literacy, adequate health facilities with longer average life.

Weakness in governance results in poor and skewed growth, persisting poverty and slow development of economy and the country. It invariably leads to higher levels of corruption in all areas. It brings in its wake social disparities, neglect of the economically weak, poor financial management coupled with lack of transparency and disproportionate growth of some sections to the detriment of others.

Poor adherence to rules and regulations that accompany bad governance leads to loss of faith in the government and established institutions by the people and witnesses the emergence of alternative and often-illegal remedies. Violent outfits establish their control in pockets of the country and enlarge their sphere of evil influence. The level of parallel economy of black money generated in such an environment aided by rampant bribery and avoidance of the legitimate revenues to the governments is a certain index of the level of bad governance.

There is generally a very close relationship amongst the politicians, bureaucracy and corrupt business houses in an atmosphere of bad governance. Bribery at all levels, high taxes and poor collections, high discretionary powers, absence of an effective mechanism to oversee deviations, weak rule of law and a disdain for the observations of established institutions created by the Constitution strengthens the informal economy.

People tend to accept the hardships that arise due to weak rule of law with no easy alternatives available. The opportunity they get once in five years to elect their representatives is again thwarted by the ills in the electoral system that denies proportional representation.

Governance is therefore a vital development issue that government can ill afford to neglect. Government effectiveness and stability, Rule of Law, Public administration, Public finance and outcomes were a few selected governance indicators taken by a study group for evaluating India’s standing amongst different countries However subjective it could be, this assessment revealed that India compared favourably with many developing countries though it had a long way to go to attain the levels of developed countries.

The plus points in our favour are our vibrant democracy, unfettered press, fearless judiciary and efficient administrative service. This appraisal should not however camouflage the darker side still there in our system. There are many regions in our country where the effect of good governance is still not visible. There are several governance indicators as mentioned in a World Bank policy research paper tested on a few countries in transition. We shall see India’ status as a whole with reference to these parameters and where we are lagging behind.

Firstly, the processes, by which governments are selected, monitored and replaced is one such indicator. Unlike some neighbouring countries our method of electing the government has fully demonstrated the democratic ethos reflected in our Constitution. However the hung legislature, a recent phenomenon, with no party commanding an overall majority has brought about fragile coalition governments with a common agenda that is weak in content and strong in the desire to share the power. The larger partner, however well intentioned, is compelled to accommodate elements that they would fain avoid and to tolerate the deviations from the common purpose. It is a very difficult task to offer good governance in such a situation though efforts are not wanting in this direction. The replacement of such a coalition set up if at all wanted is frustrated on TINA principle. The growing influence of small regional parties to the detriment of national parties, their role in the government formation and their limited and narrow approach to issues is a new and undesirable development. The electoral laws are to be changed to overcome this problem to enable a two or three party systems evolve which would allow the government at the helm to carry on good administration with no let or hindrance.

Secondly, political stability and lack of violence is another indicator to assess the threat to the government by unconstitutional means. Luckily this has been in our favour all along. The supremacy of civil authority has never been questioned in our country. There are however pockets of violence and insurgency in certain parts of the country mostly by terrorist outfits and these pose no danger. They are growing in number and influence that it is feared almost one third of the country is in their vicious grip. These elements take advantage of the abject poverty, lack of employment and the government’s slow response to poverty removal issues.It is high time the government puts down with iron hand such menacing elements to country’s integrity and economic growth.In certain Northern states crime is pronounced with private armies and goons operating freely for ransom, casteist feuds and show of power abetted by poor law enforcing machinery. These states suffer consequently in their development.

Thirdly, another parameter is the capacity of the government to effectively formulate and implement sound policies. This is being done to the extent possible within the constraints of a coalition. There is also the predictable opposition to usher certain essential reforms that would need two-thirds majority. This again is the outcome of a defective electoral system.

There had been a steady erosion of values towards established institutions from early seventies that witnessed the imposition of emergency, committed bureaucracy, and utter disregard for established institutions and norms in administration and emergence of extra constitutional authorities. This trend has been fortunately reversed from mid eighties. The steel frame today at the centre is by and large independent and capable though attempts are made to make them committed to the ruling clique. Substantial changes in the economy have been ushered for the good of the country as a sequel to the reforms since early nineties and sound policies are in place. Nevertheless a certain amount of transparency in government’s dealings is felt necessary by diluting the rigorous Official Secrets Act and making right to information more meaningful.

Fourthly, numerous institutions like regulatory authorities/commissions are there or have been created to ensure that the institutions that govern economic and social interactions between the people and the government are properly conducted .The active and alert judiciary informed by social activism and its encouragement of public interest litigations is an able facilitator for rule of law.

This is despite the inadequacies in the legal system that needs a peremptory overhaul tuned to the needs of the times. The archaic laws, mounting arrears in the courts, delayed justice that is given after several years, the endless appeals, the unfilled vacancies and poor infrastructure need to be addressed on a war footing. This pillar of our democracy can be ignored only at the cost of good governance.The executive and legislature wings should extend greater cooperation and muscle to the judiciary to ensure rule of law enjoys primacy in all areas.

Fifthly, there is yet another disturbing feature in our country. Our rank amongst the corrupt nations as measured by Transparency International is not flattering. The government has no doubt strengthened CVC giving it a statutory recognition and bringing CBI under its supervision. The exclusion of officers above a level by single directive is a retrograde step that is not conducive to eliminating corruption. The series of cases of alleged complicity of high ranking officers in corrupt or illegal practices brought out in the recent past should open the eyes of the government not to succumb to the pressures of higher bureaucracy to exclude them from the purview of CVC. The CAG and his officers serving effectively as watchdogs of the public finance is another merit in our system. His reports highlighting irregularities should get the attention they deserve and discussed in the legislatures to avoid recurrence of the same points year after year. Corruption has become a part of our system and sustained efforts to eradicate it are needed at all levels throughout the country. This should commence from the political level accompanied by changes in the electoral system that would reduce the heavy election expenses for the parties. Besides full encouragement and hundred percent safety should be provided to whistle-blowers and under no circumstance they should be harassed

Finally, the emergence of e-governance and the importance being given to it by the governments should usher an era of good governance before long. This again is linked to the literacy level of the people and some states in the North are still very backward. Once e-governance is in place there will be greater accountability, access to information and transparency in all transactions and witness a larger the percolation of benefits to the intended classes.

The gap between promise and performance hopefully would also get reduced gradually. Finally the litmus test for good governance rests on the quality of life that the people particularly in the lower strata lead and the extent of their participation in the affairs of the society. As of now it cannot be said that the vast majority of the population are sharing the benefits of the growth so far. We have still a very long way to go.

K Parthasarathi

Migration to cities: How to arrest the rapid urbanization?

By: K Parthasarathi2/24/2008 5:43:59 PM

http://www.blogs.ivarta.com/india-usa-blog-column83.htm
With the liberalization in full swing and its impact on all sections of economy we are witness to the inexorable urbanization of the country. Our development programs have been geared towards economic growth and GDP growth with the belief that once GDP growth occurs there would be a spin off in all areas like employment, health, education and living conditions Our planners work for 9% growth while agriculture cannot grow faster than 2% at the most As a sequel either the villages get relatively poor and disadvantaged and/or large scale rural-urban migration continues. If this trend is not reversed quickly the rural income would become a small fraction of urban income. The urban population will grow beyond manageable levels with most living in slums.
The unemployed people and the seasonal workers who have no work all though the year move to big cities in search of employment. Those who are slightly better off move to cities for other reasons like greater educational opportunities, better health facilities and higher standards of living. Some are forced to leave the land where it is inadequate to support them or where the land is forcibly acquired by the government. It is expected that in a decade the urban areas would house, sixty percent of the country’s population and there would be corresponding reduction in rural population.
Name Population 1991census Populpulation 2001census
Gr. Mumbai 9.93 11.91
Delhi 7.27 9.82
Kolkata 4.40 4.58
Bangalore 2.66 4.29
Chennai 3.84 4.21
Ahmedabad 2.88 3.52
Hyderabad 2.96 3.45
Pune 1.57 2.54
Kanpur 1.87 2.53
Nasik 1.50 2.43
Patna 0.92 1.38
A look at the population figures as on 1991 and 2001 in some of the major cities would reveal the relentless and steady shift of people towards the urban centres. Between 2001 and 2007 there should have been further influx at a faster pace of rural population into the cities. While urbanization is an inevitable sequel to social and economic development, it is not without its adverse consequences. The fast paced urban population growth on the scales seen from the accompanying table has caused great strain on the capacity of urban or municipal corporations to provide even the basic utilities like housing, water, electricity and sewerage. This is bound to aggravate to unbearable levels. Unauthorized slums spring up in every available space with no municipal facilities whatsoever. Such an unplanned squatter settlements is a clear index to the unbearable living conditions in the villages than to any planned urban development. These immigrants are prepared to put up with much hardship in the cities than face hunger in the villages. What does this transformation to the complexion of cities indicate? Is it development of cities or degeneration of the rural areas? It is felt that as cities expand without matching infrastructure and job opportunities, the poverty of the rural side just gets urbanized. The location merely gets changed with nothing better in living conditions to the displaced people happening. The appalling living conditions like slums, lack of safe water, absence of sanitation, overcrowding with the attendant increase in crime, insecurity for women, sexual abuse and exposure to frequent epidemics and AIDs are the immediate outcome of this population shift. The rate of rural–urban migration is far in excess of the rates at which urban jobs for the unskilled are created and very much beyond the capacity of both industry and urban social services to absorb this surplus labour, mostly unskilled. Eventually this will give rise to the social and economic inequities besides urban decay and social unrest.
But then can the government forcibly stop the poor leaving the countryside for finding better lives though they end up on the platforms, bus shelters, shanty towns and inhabitable slums? How should the government prevent such outflow from villages and at the same time make their lives better.NREGs started with good intention is a feeble attempt and touches only the periphery of the problem. Firstly its coverage is minimal. There is no assurance of a lasting and steady job and there is no up gradation of their skills. There is no creation of lasting assets in the villages. NREG scheme is at best a temporary palliative even if the scheme were to be administered efficiently without the siphoning off the money in the middle man’s hands. To enlarge this scheme as is contemplated may be politically convenient but economically without sense and socially purposeless. It is a waste of scarce public resources that could be put to better uses.
Why are the cities engines of economic and employment growth while villages languish? It is because cities provide economic opportunities with the available infrastructure. Large manufacturing units are situated in or close to the cities considering the available infrastructure like power, roads, rail and ports. In every state there are about half a dozen big towns with two or three big cities. The industries cluster around these places with larger units nearer to metros. The jobs are not seasonal as in farming but all through the year. Ancillary industries grow and service industries also thrive side by side. Both skilled and unskilled labour find ready jobs.
The government also focuses its investment only around cities where there is a clamour for more to the utter neglect rural areas. Even the small resources spent on villages are lost in microeconomic interventions like NREGs to help individual villagers and not the macro economy of the village as a whole. While the government invests in the macro economy of cities it is at the microeconomic level in rural areas. Most of the employment in rural areas is agricultural or dependent on agriculture. This often tends to be seasonal and therefore unreliable. For the villagers to overcome poverty, villages should provide economic opportunities throughout the year other than in the agricultural areas also. A large percentage of the rural population should be able to make decent living thro non-agricultural occupations. The government strategy and investment should be directed towards this goal. Small scale industries that can be linked with agricultural operations spread over rural areas and smaller towns nearby may be the answer. Villagers from rural areas should find that it is possible to make a decent living without migrating to big cities. The false lure of the cities as an attractive place for better living should be removed by making living in villages better. The government as a long term measure should promote economic prospects and required infrastructure development in rural areas. It should also cover the creation of market for supporting the agricultural economic activities and also development of sustainable agricultural practices in the rural sector.NREGs are mere doles in nature providing to limited people small amounts for temporary earth work jobs done for short period. The planners should take note of this and allocate substantial resources for developing villages (not villagers individually thro doles).Sadly the strategy of government is centred only on GDP growth without carrying the rural population along. It is hoped corrective measures would be taken before it becomes late. The increase in growth of violent outfits in the impoverished rural areas is the direct outcome of such skewed policy of the government.
Any rural development programme can be successful only if the unfettered population growth is curbed. Indian population is burgeoning at feverish pace adding about 16 million each year. Most of the increase happens in the rural side. Whatever little economic improvement is made possible by the governments, they are eroded by the faster increase in number of mouths to feed. The scanty health services, the negligible primary education facilities, sparse housing are further strained keeping the poor always in poverty. India’s economic growth would be seriously hampered if the population growth is not checked. The available resources are spread thin leaving the poor unhappy. The poor think children are means to augment earning, while the increase in population would never lift them from poverty. Population control is the immediate imperative with two child norm and sterilization thro incentives and gentle persuasion. Rural poverty and high fertility are closely linked. One cannot be solved without tackling the other.
Kpartha12@hotmail.com

India needs leaders to champion the poor mans causes

By: K Parthasarathi2/11/2008 4:45:52 PM

http://www.blogs.ivarta.com/india-usa-blog-column76.htm

Unfortunate but true, we lack in adequate numbers the selfless and incorruptible leaders of the past who toiled with little expectation than the joy of being in the struggle. Leaders who could inspire love and respect and enlist innumerable volunteers by their personal example are rare

We often hear people lamenting that the prevailing system and environment in the country is not conducive to throwing up leaders of intellect, probity and social fervour like the innumerable great men who had emerged in the past when the country fought for its Independence. The freedom fighters then expected nothing in return for themselves save the liberation of their motherland. They were heroes and role models for the people who had a total faith in them. Such selfless motivation and passion for a cause as provided by very tall men like Mahatma and his contemporaries are missing today. It is not that we have no social causes to work for. Rather we have too many pressing for attention. Poverty eradication, compulsory education, basic health, availability of potable water and job opportunities for the rural poor rank very low in our priorities when you look at the allocation of our resources.

The benefits of the reforms undertaken are yet to manifest in these vital sectors. Not much is being done in these areas than what can actually be achieved by a judicious husbanding of the available resources. These issues are relegated to the backburner in the face of other urgent commitments with some on political considerations. No one with a passion and zeal of a Mahatma or a Lok Nayak is prepared to champion these causes and muster people to fight our own governments and the entrenched system for the well-being of the India’s poor millions.

We spend a lions share of our revenue receipts only on staff related costs of government servants and those who run the governments forming a very negligible percentage of the total population. Yet no one in the legislatures objects to this unethical and disproportionate appropriation by a small few of a sizable chunk of the resources of the country. The compulsory increases at regular intervals add to the burden in geometric progression. The bonanza based on the VI Pay Commission recommendations that the centre is expected to confer on its much pampered employees would have multiplier effect on state governments too with incalculable damage to the economy and the unorganized poor. But who cares? Still the governments both at the centre and states have their own electoral considerations. It is rank inequity that a small class of people lives off the revenues of the entire country.

Subsidies on various counts to the economically well off do form a large portion of governments expenditure. This is an oft-discussed subject and the aberrations are too well known to recount. Nevertheless the compulsions of the vote bank and the pressures from the states influence such decisions even though the rulers are aware of the genuine need for their curtailment. Unorganized sections of people very large in number with no social security whatsoever who form the majority suffer for their lack of organised power to coerce the government. The exemption of the agricultural income from income tax from the rich farmers on the tenuous plea that it is a state subject is another instance of succumbing to electoral calculations and robbing Peter to pay Paul.. . The hands of FM are tied by the powerful political lobby.

Wasteful and unproductive expenditure, inefficient bureaucracy, weak economic policies due to cross pulls, communal divide, and a coalition with no majority for a single party hampering quick decisions do considerable harm to the country. Are these not issues for the prospective and willing leaders to take up and fight for? There are enough opportunities even now for men to be heroic leaders for a cause. They can wage a relentless war on poverty, illiteracy and social inequities to provide a dignified life to the poor millions. Why then people are not forthcoming as they did in the past to join the freedom struggle? Could it be that the saps of human love and concern for others have run dry rendering them selfish and indifferent? It is not that the innate goodness of man is absent but is very much there lying dormant waiting only to be tapped.

Could it be that leaders of stature are not there to muster an unselfish band of people to plunge themselves in this mission. The present day politicians, except for a few who can be counted by fingers, work with a single point programme of becoming a legislator or a minister in the government. They are not propelled by any consideration of service or sacrifice. Their solicitude for the poor is only to build a vote base and nothing more. The same is true of many of those who have already attained these goals and enjoying the fruits of the offices they hold. There is an urgent need to create a climate where capable and honest men motivated solely by service to the society are drawn to the legislatures. This can happen only if we the voters ensure undesirable elements are kept out by suitable changes in the electoral law.

The people are again to be blamed for their misfortune. The electorate should choose only men of good character and integrity amongst the available irrespective of the political party when they cast their votes. Their choice should be based on the personal traits of the candidate and not for the political party. The neutral and unaffiliated voters can swing the results in favour of good candidates. The men whom they elect determine the nature of the government. Even minor attempts to prevent the entry of undesirable people in the legislatures are met with resistance from the very parties and men whom we have elected. The present structure is entrenched and will give no quarter for a change. The power to change rests with the people. For bringing out this power, we need bold men of Titanic stature like the leaders during freedom struggle.

Unfortunately good and honest men abjure politics filled as it is with hate, money power, casteism and corruption. Large number of people who do not see politics as a career or profession and who are educated and free from vices should enter the arena in large numbers. A band of leaders known for their integrity and with a common aim to cleanse the political system should come together from all parts of the country to lead and educate the people on the value of their franchise and how a wrong choice can do incalculable harm to their lives. There can be no place for dynastic politics in such a scheme.

Like Jaya Prakash Narayan who started a movement against the emergency and brought out boldly the power of the people to throw out an autocratic rule, the present endeavour should be to cleanse the politics of hate, mismanagement and corruption and vest the government in clean hands. The people who get elected to the legislatures would be men of integrity, character and service oriented. This movement should work for the removal of ills in the present electoral and party system that calls for huge spending of money. The vast money involved in the present elections inevitably gives rise to many undesirable practices. Possibly a change in the form of government may enable the choice of a right person fired by the ambition to serve the people and the country. The people can then find a man who is not working for the position .The choice can be for a Cincinnatus at the plough and not a demagogue striving for the position. Luckily the country has still many good, honest and capable men to guide its destiny given the right ambience.

The present value system should also undergo a sea change but seems very unlikely. There is a strong consumerist culture with no concern for the hapless poor. The government is in the vicious grip of the corporate class. The divide between the rich and poor is greater today than it was earlier. A certain amount of control on the unfettered freedom for the common good, till such time we become strong economically particularly the rural India, will not go amiss. Perhaps we can learn a lesson or two from China. It is better off than India on all vital parameters like control of population growth, GDP growth rate, Foreign Direct Investment, reduction of poverty, penetration of computers and infant mortality rate. The streak of strong rule could have been a facilitating factor there.

People here too would not grudge certain amount of abridgement of their unlimited rights for the country to become highly prosperous, if only they know their future is safe in honest and capable hands. For this to happen, competent men of rectitude should enter politics and flood the legislatures. Otherwise the growth will be slow, stunted and halting.

K Parthasarathi

Change the mode of appointment to Election Commission

By: K Parthasarathi2/11/2008 4:52:30 PM

http://www.blogs.ivarta.com/india-usa-blog-column78.htm

People would lose the faith in the fairness and even handedness of the high office of Election Commission once appointments to it are perceived to be made with partisan ends.

The BJP has petitioned CEC on the matter of Mr.Navin Chawla’s appointment as election commissioner as per directions of SC to which it took up earlier. Its earlier representation to the President was forwarded to PM who in turn referred it to AG. He defended his appointment saying that Mr. Chawla did no wrong as EC ignoring the main charge by BJP of a likely bias due to his close association in the past with people who mattered in the Congress and hence his unsuitability for a position that called for strict neutrality. The ball is now in CEC’s court. There were news reports that the government was contemplating a move to make all the election commissioners equal thus depriving the primacy of position of CEC and his power to recommend removal of EC

. The ruling establishment had always desired a pliable and weak Election Commission that would not upset its programme in ever so many matters from the choice of convenient dates for elections to turning a Nelson eye to the aberrations of the ruling party (ies). The trend to weaken the institution came from Mr.Seshans days when it was perceived that EC did not perform as per the expectations of the ruling dispensation. The frequent confrontations with the Election Commission during his tenure witnessed the expansion of the Commission to a three-member body with the majority view prevailing in case of dissent. This was done primarily to curb his vast powers. This solution of bringing two more Commissioners did not also help matters as the governments soon found the election commission even with three members inconvenient to them during tenure of the Mr.Lyngdoh.

After the highly commendable work of EC in Bihar in setting right the electoral rolls by massive deletions of about 18 lakh names and additions of about 4 lakh names and ensuring a free and fair poll, there were rumours that an expansion of the commission to a five member panel instead of three member was being pressed by the Left before Bengal poll with a view to dilute the powers of EC.Luckily this did not happen

There are any number of constitutional authorities like the Chief justice of India, Comptroller and Auditor General of India, the Chief Vigilance Commissioner the Advocate Generals, and the Solicitor General who may in the course of discharging their official duties may not be necessarily reflecting or toeing the line of the establishment. Is increasing the number of such high offices any solution? Is finding someone from outside the line a desirable method? In fact the Supreme Court had come down heavily on the appointment of additional advocate Generals in the states. It held that the states cannot appoint more than one Advocate general under article 165 of the Constitution.

The reasoning given was that if more than one person is appointed to discharge the constitutional functions as also the statutory functions, different advocate generals may act differently resulting in a chaos. It went on to say that in the appointments to the constitutional posts such as Chief Justice of India, Attorney General, the constitution did not envisage their functions to be performed by more than one person. This logic was not observed when the amendment to appoint three members to oversee the functions of the Election Commission was carried out. It is hoped there would be no attempt to alter the present strength in future.

The appointment to Election Commission is made by the President on the basis of recommendation of the Prime Minister. There is no obligation to consult other parties or independent authorities while making such recommendation. This gives ample room for the ruling party to choose someone whose loyalty to it is assured. The controversy over selection of Navin Chawla who is perceived to be close to Congress gives room to the risk of ruling party packing the EC with its nominees. It was in this context that the recommendation of former CEC Mr.B.B. Tandon should be viewed. This issue of appointment by a neutral committee has been discussed in the past several times by committees but the recommendations have not been acted upon for obvious reasons.

The Committee on Electoral Reforms under the chairmanship of the Law Minister, Mr. Dinesh Goswami in 1990 had recommended “(a) the appointment of the CEC should be made by the President in consultation with the Chief Justice of India and the Leader of the Opposition; (b) the consultation process should have a statutory backing; (c) the appointment of the other Election Commissioners should be made by the committee in consultation with the Chief Election Commissioner; (d) on expiry of the term of office, the Chief Election Commissioner and the Election Commissioners should be ineligible for any appointment under the Government, including the post of Governor.

Mr.Tandon in his personal capacity had rightly raised the old issue of achieving the neutrality of the election Commission by a review of the present mode of appointment of CEC and the two election commissioners. It is understood that he had sought the appointment of members of EC through a seven member committee headed by the Prime Minister on the lines of the NHRC chairperson and the Central Vigilance Commissioner.

Long time back Tarkkunde Committee (1975) had also recommended that the members of the Election Commission should be appointed by the President on the advice of a Committee, consisting of the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition (or a Member of Parliament selected by the Opposition) in the Lok Sabha, and the Chief Justice of India. The reasoning was that the choice should command the confidence of all sections of public opinion and an impression should not be created that the Election Commission is beholden to the Executive Despite all these recommendations the governments so far including NDA when it was in power had not shown interest in addressing this important issue.

The debate assumes significance in the context of the recent controversy over the choice of an Election Commissioner alleged to have close links with Congress men. The gravamen of the charge raised by NDA was that Mr. Chawla had close links with the leading family of Congress and that he could collect with ease donations from several Congress legislators from their MPLAD accounts and could also obtain lands at concession for his families’ private trusts using this proximity.

It is likely that Mr.Chawla would be CEC when the next general elections take place..Naturally the parties in opposition to Congress shudder at such a prospect of having a CEC who is partisan in their perception It is their genuine apprehension that such a person who was obliged to the Congress leader and many members of her party could not be an impartial referee. They plead that Mr.Chawla’s removal alone would strengthen the faith of the people in the continued impartiality, neutrality and credibility of the Election Commission.

To circumvent any possible decision by CEC in this matter by devious means like making him equal to other ECs or in any other manner would only make people lose faith in EC. It is hoped that the government would desist from such rash course and instead do two things:

1) to let CEC decide based on merits on the present case and make his recommendations to the President and

2) to review in right earnest the recommendations of the earlier committees and the former CEC in consultation with all parties and arrive at a consensus on the manner of appointment of Chief Election Commissioner and other two Election Commissioners.

It may be recollected that even for a minor peccadillo of praising the CM in a social function in a state, a senior police officer was ordered by the election commission to be shifted on the ground that he cannot be impartial in his actions. This action of Election Commission was presumably intended to demonstrate to the people that the officers overseeing the electoral work are both to be completely free from any prejudice and seen so. The objective being that the whole process should not only be fair but is also seen so and the outcome reflects the true will of the people.

We must bear in mind that the whole democratic set up stands on the tripod of fairness, transparency and total impartiality of the members of the Election Commission and its officers. There should be no doubt in the minds of the people about the fairness of the electoral process and the unbiased nature of the persons conducting the elections. Any weakening of the faith in this body would do irreparable damage to the democratic fabric of the country.

K Parthasarathi

Education alone can drive poverty permanently

By: K Parthasarathi1/31/2008 12:51:14 PM

http://www.blogs.ivarta.com/india-usa-blog-column75.htm

The solution to the problem of poverty lies in making the people more skilled with investment in primary and secondary education with a slant to a vocational training and not through jobs for 100 days

Politicians and social organizations wail in every forum about Indias 35% of its population living in poverty with little hope of their early redemption. There is the general notion that the only cause for prevalence of poverty is lack of jobs and that poverty can be removed once jobs are created in the country. They promise jobs for one person in each rural family for 100 days a year.

They blame the reform measures undertaken since early Nineties and the globalization for the accentuation of the divide between the poor and rich. Shrill protests are voiced that there is a lopsided development in the country with a few reaping the benefits and the vast majority left out of the fruits of liberalization. There is a clamour especially when elections are around the corner that the five year plans and the budgetary allocations should provide larger resources for creation of jobs among the rural poor.

As in the olden days when kings dug wells and tanks, built roads and countries to provide work for the poor during times of famine, we too think of massive road building programmes like the golden quadrilateral or investing in rural infrastructure to combat poverty amongst the rural millions. Surely they provide immediate succour but it is a moot point whether the lives of the poor are transformed into one of comfort permanently.

These at best provide them with jobs for a few years and they revert back to their olden lives once these works come to an end. Certainly there are better ways for combating poverty and raising the lives of the poor than such food for work programmes.

Why is India able to capitalise on the Information Technology boom in comparison to many other countries? The main reason is its vast army of literates with good knowledge of English and computing skills. The lower middle class who had invested in education reaped the benefit of their acquired skill. Any discussion of removal of poverty must commence with what is referred to as human capital.

Human capital is defined by Charles Wheelan in his book Naked economics as the sum total of skills embodied within an individual: education, intelligence, charisma, creativity, work experience, entrepreneurial vigour, even the ability to throw a base ball fast. It is what you would be left with if someone stripped away all of your assets- your job, your money, your home, your possessions- and left you in a street corner with only the clothes on your back.

You may be in trouble only for a short time as your skills will come in handy very soon. As the saying goes, a stone that is fit for the wall can never be found in the way. Why is it only the software programmers, writers, economists, accountants, doctors, scientists and businessmen are prosperous? Even the people at the lower rungs like electricians, mechanics, carpenters, diploma holders from ITIs do not suffer the pangs of poverty though not affluent. It is their acquired skills through training and education by their investments in human capital.

No man will go hungry if only he had the basic human capital of a skill in any sphere or education. He can easily relocate to places where he can find jobs for the skills he has. Jobs are never finite and can be created by anyone providing a new service or a better product. There is a place for everybody as the economy grows bigger with more production.

The unskilled labour even in times of economic boom could never earn the type of income that the skilled earned. There can be a significant economic growth in the country with increase in per capita income, creation of more jobs, and rise in real salaries and yet the unemployment figures and the number in poverty can also remain side by side unreduced. The divide between the skilled and unskilled would continue to be as wide so long there is a gap in capability or skill.

Poverty is a function of dearth of human capital. It can be, as most people do, partly attributed to the lack of jobs for the unskilled or partly skilled. This is only a manifestation of the illness or a symptom. It is only illiteracy or lack of specialized skill that drives people to poverty. Any amount of creation of new jobs needing skill will not dent the unemployment rate of unskilled population.

The solution to the problem of poverty lies in making the people more skilled with investment in primary and secondary education with a slant to a vocational training. There is a strong association between poverty and educational attainment. It is only those with low levels of education that are poor. Although free universal primary education is our aim, the schools that poor children enter are of very poor quality. The teachers too are of poor quality devoting very little time for teaching and the children having very little access for the instructional materials.

There is also lack of compensatory policies, positive discrimination that would enable the teachers to bestow greater attention to these deprived children and assist them in getting instructional materials. The number of dropouts on account of economic reasons, poor schools and indifferent teachers is substantial. While education alone cannot eliminate the poverty overnight for the family, the impact of education as a national poverty reduction mechanism cannot be overlooked.

It is the only means for acquiring the skills and for productive participation in the economy. It empowers the poor in due course with multiple returns in the form of higher income, better health, improved living style and reduction of population. Imagine the immense beneficial impact on the productivity and growth of economy of the country if even ten crore additional children both boys and girls get the specialized skills that education can lead them to. There is no other recipe for a stronger India to emerge than making a massive investment in education at the primary and secondary levels and building the institutional infrastructure across the country for this stupendous task.

It is good that the government is collecting a levy 2% cess on all taxes for education hoping to garner about Rs. 5000 crores or more each year. While the whole amount is to be earmarked for education and mid day meal scheme that would benefit the poor, this may not be adequate for the stupendous job of raising the literacy level substantially especially in certain backward states. There is a need to provide more resources towards this instead of toying with the idea of reduction of tax rates.

A discriminatory fee structure based on the capacity of students to pay, reduction of subsidies to higher education, larger allocation to elementary education in preference to higher education, the establishment of Industrial Technical Institutes in more than one district town and increased allocation to education out of the plan funds to 6% of GNP and even beyond would suggest themselves as the logical steps.

The food for work programme guaranteeing job for 100 days to one person in every family in designated backward districts though laudable as a measure of immediate relief cannot provide a lasting solution for deliverance from poverty. Increasing the coverage to more districts can at best serve as an electoral ploy and is no substitute for affordable education that would give a skill for the poor children. This education with a slant towards vocational skill should enjoy the highest priority over all other expenditure. This alone would drive poverty permanently away from the poor. No amount of sacrifice by the country is too much for achieving this goal.

K Parthasarathi

Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan - Do we need civilian awards?

By: K Parthasarathi1/25/2008 5:08:53 PM

http://www.blogs.ivarta.com/india-usa-blog-column72.htm.)
By leaving the job of choosing the highly meritorious to the respective fraternities, we would have rendered unto Caesar, things that are Caesar’s with no room for allegations of favouritism.

When I saw that a TV media had started a preposterous debate whether Bharat Ratna award should be conferred on youngsters like Sachin Tendulkar instead of going for the obvious (I do not know what they meant by the obvious- do they say oldies?) a thought came to my mind whether these civilian awards fashioned after the system in UK can be dispensed with once and for all.. Janata government under Morarji Desai had very wisely suspended this during late Seventies for three years. The grant of awards to loyal people was a colonial custom and a relic of the past that we also decided to follow suit. There is the innate urge in us to distinguish ourselves from the common crowd with a visible distinction in the form of a ribbon on our coats or a medallion hung on our necks along with a title. Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian award given for highest degree of national service (italics mine) that includes artistic, literary, and scientific achievements, as well as “recognition of public service of the highest order.” Padma Vibhushans, Padma Bhushans and Padma shris are lower in the order. These awards in a few cases smack of arbitrariness and state patronage on chosen people by the government of the day. They have no monetary value except in pleasing the vanity of the individuals and conferring possibly some precedence in protocol during public functions.

Why should the government distribute awards each year? Why cannot this business of recognition be left to the highest bodies in the chosen areas? Many countries in the West have for long ceased giving civilian awards and left the task to the professional bodies. A deserving musician can be honoured with the highest title by an all India musical body and a cinema actor or those associated with films be conferred recognition by all India forum related to that field just as an Oscar award is being given at the international level.. We have our own Sangeet Natak Academy. Literary awards like Booker prize are chosen by a panel of eminent writers, scientific recognition by Nobel Committee and exceptional cricketing skill by Wisden.We have our own national equivalents for these bodies. Why should the State tread into such areas especially when they hardly have the expertise to evaluate the contributions objectively? Can we for a moment accept that literary awards if given by government would be free from bias? In a coalition set up where the government at the centre is wholly dependent for survival on regional satraps, does it have the strength to resist the pressures from them for their nominees? There would be a clamour for region wise quota and possibly based on political colour and loyalty to the ruling clique. By leaving the job of choosing the highly meritorious to the respective fraternities, we would have rendered unto Caesar, things that are Caesar’s with no room for allegations of favouritism.Let the government be content with selection of governors and other political appointments and give a wide berth to other areas. It is time they put an end to this hardy annual ritual that creates more heartburn than satisfaction. This would save the bitter acrimony amongst different groups, academics, industrialists, IT, writers, film personalities, sports personalities, artists, medical profession etc.No government can satisfy the hunger for recognition of the "public service minded’ men and women and the system runs the risk of turning into an unedifying benefaction.

A Sachin Tendulkar may be a great cricketer and a highly visible personality made so by media and sponsors for their own commercial purposes. It is a moot point whether playing cricket for money is a public service. It will be a lamentable disservice to scores of doctors, human rights activists, officials, social service organizations,NGOs and many more such who silently toil giving their invaluable time and money to give better lives to the teeming millions with no expectation of reward or recognition. No TVs will blare for them or media write about them for these personages have no use to increase their TRP or circulation. Likewise a Narayanamurthy or a Ratan Tata or an Ambani is basically a businessman or industrialist who worked for the benefit of his companies. There was no national fervour or public goal in their efforts any more than a shop owner of a kirana store. If their companies had not succeeded, they would have closed their shops and gone to do something else. They have worked for creating the wealth they needed and succeeded just like a Bill Gates or a Ford or a Lakshmi Mittal elsewhere…...udhara nimitham bahu kruta vesham as it can be termed. It is a different matter that a Bill gate is spending a large portion of his wealth for philanthropic causes and may merit special recognition for that purpose. Where is the national service in others running a business except the benefit to the society coming as an incidental off shoot? Let not the government play to the gallery by pandering to the wishes of the canaille by considering for the highest award to a sportsman or a filmy folk or one of such ilk.

Only those who have worked for the welfare of the country in a spirit of sacrifice and service and make the lives of its people better and rich can be considered worthy of any recognition. A Teresa or a Vinobha Bhave gave so much but took very little. There are many like them doing their work silently and effectively unsung and unhonoured.They will never be visible in the radars of the powers that be. They also attach scant regard for name and fame. Even politicians, except those who participated in the freedom struggle sacrificing their careers and families, do not qualify for recognition.Politics these days is a lucrative profession. It may surprise that more than fifty percent of Bharat Ratna awardees are drawn from the political class.Quite a lot of officials too have obtained these awards. Before considering someone for an award, the first litmus test would be how much he/ she has contributed to the society in making the lives of ordinary people even slightly better without enriching themselves in the process. Nothing else matters. Their service should preferably be honorary.

Now each political outfit like BSP, SP, DMK wants the highest honour given to its leader and with their political clout in disturbing the stability of the government,the award runs the risk of becoming a political sop instead of a well considered and highy deserving recognition. The best course would however be doing away with these meaningless civilian awards.

K Parthasarathi

Gujarat election proved that Corruption-free governance pays

By: K Parthasarathi1/18/2008 9:01:44 AM

http://www.blogs.ivarta.com/india-usa-blog-column69.htm

The thumping victory of Narendra Modi against the very strong campaign mounted by Congress in particular and UPA in general set me thinking whether the voters were influenced largely by the integrity and honesty of the Chief Minister and the consequent good governance with the benefits flowing to the people unhindered. Judged by the results they have obviously relegated the shrill cries of religion based issues to the back ground. The people know that a clean administration without corruption would automatically ensure that a larger percentage of government spending would reach the ultimate destination and result in greater benefits to ordinary people. This is what has happened in Gujarat. This singular and good feature of Modi’s government got drowned amidst the noise over "merchants of death’. Honesty in administration is a rare virtue found these days only in very few politicians in the country. Narendra Modi is like an oasis in the vast desert of venality and nepotism. It was heartening to learn that he kept at bay even the few from his own party and the sister organizations who possibly wanted to make easy money.

In most places the leaders are found to be less than honest leading to the prevalence of this malady among the politicians and officials at all levels. The pity is that this menace has spread to all sections of the society and is not limited to the government departments alone. Rajiv Gandhi was aware of this when he said only seventeen paisa in a rupee reached the final destination with the balance siphoned off midway but he could do little to wipe out this curse. There have been a few impeccable PMs and CM of high rectitude in the past including the current Prime Minister on whom no personal allegations of corrupt practices can be laid. Yet sadly all of them tolerated corruption around them not for the reason such flaws are acceptable to them but due to political compulsions. As a result they have done very little to stem the rot. Once the leaders below and the officials know that the men at the helm turn a blind eye to this vice, things start worsening. Over a period of time nothing gets done unless money changes hands in every aspect of life that affects the common man. The costs rise, the work is shoddy and repetitive, the people are unhappy and troubled and the government loses credibility.

In America there is no greasing of some one’s palms for getting ordinary day to day things done. Police, government and county officials, educational institutions are all free from this malaise. There can be poor service but there is no expectation of any illegal gratification. There can be some cases of dishonesty at very high political levels but the people and the media are very alert and vigilant. The erring politicians however big they may be when caught get punished mercilessly and quickly by the courts. There also political parties thrive on campaign donations by corporate houses but there is no harassment of ordinary individuals to part with their hard earned money at every turn for personal or political purposes. Corruption in India has been sort of institutionalized providing a fertile ground for criminal elements, mafia groups, politicians from lowest level, bureaucracy from top to bottom, to join in this combined loot. It has assumed serious proportions in some states where the men at the helm themselves are dishonest. Little wonder India ranks very high in the list of corrupt countries as per the survey of Transparency International India. We may be praised as a knowledge power and for our growing economy but are considered a highly corrupt nation and rank low in esteem.

Despite the gloomy picture there are pockets like Gujarat and a couple of other states where the Chief Ministers are men of probity and uprightness providing clean and good governance. Nitish Kumar’s name comes up in the mind in this great effort to provide a clean government in a state that was notorious for bribery and favouritism. Navin Patnaik is another name in this category endeavouring to give clean administration. One can be sure that like Modi, they would have earned the gratitude of the common man in the state, making it easy to get their support at the time of elections. The voters in these states I am sure will not fall a prey to the alluring promises of opponents or irrelevant accusations .Anti-incumbency would not be a factor for the CMs to worry about. Modi’s convincing victory against all odds and the stiff opposition from the major partner of UPA is a clear proof that people vote for good governance that gives no quarter for corruption. The good that the government does to the poor and weaker sections of the society is the only litmus test used for evaluating the rulers.

Elections have become a very expensive affair. Only very rich men can stand for election even at the municipal level, let alone, an assembly or Parliament. Political parties are compelled to seek contributions giving room for a quid pro quo.Political donations are all not properly accounted with lot of swindling at all levels. This is the nidus of all the evils like corruption and nepotism. Government bearing the cost of election expenses with a strict control on political party or third party spending is bound to reduce the need for corruption for political purposes. This is not getting the attention that is due to it as political parties are not keen about such a measure. The RTI Act, a very good tool, is not implemented with sincerity by the government officials. The cost of preferring appeal for information under RTI Act should be low. Keeping it high is a barrier in its proper implementation. If this measure is implemented and enforced strictly with the pain of heavy penalty on the errant officials, corrupt practices would come down.

Gujarat elections have for the first time proved that honesty and sincerity in governance pays rich dividends and is an antidote to anti-incumbency factor. It is hoped that this would spur all the political parties to choose good men of character for legislature though it would be difficult at one go. Never the less the effort should be there to move in that direction. There is also a lesson for all CMs and ministers that corrupt free administration adds worth to their names ensuring their return after every election.

K Parthasarathi

GDP Growth – No index to prosperity for all

By: K Parthasarathi1/14/2008 11:34:47 AM

http://www.blogs.ivarta.com/india-usa-blog-column63.htm

It was with some dismay that I read about the contemplated move by the Finance Minister to reduce the rates of direct taxes in respect of individuals and corporate sector. Perhaps such a generous thought came from the increased collection of taxes which only reflects better compliance and less leakage. There is however no case for rewarding the tax payers as FM is envisaging. It is not that there is a surfeit of revenues with the government that it can indulge in such munificence. The country needs mammoth resources for the daunting task in basic and much neglected areas for uplifting the poor in rural and urban areas. The money allocated towards primary and vocational education, health in the form of primary health centres and free hospitals for the poor, small industries in rural areas to provide employment to the unemployed men and women, availability of potable water without the poor having to walk miles and infrastructure like roads and electricity is totally disproportionate to the needs. Much has been written on this that there is no need for dilation. Oil bill has increased way beyond the capabilities of oil companies. The government is fighting shy of raising the prices on political considerations. User charges are not recovered fully in many areas and government cannot continue to subsidize the rich and affluent. This is nothing but robbing the poor of the resources they need. The government should introspect whether adequate funds are allocated to pressing sectors in the rural areas and spent for the benefit of the poor before thinking of a tax holiday for tax payers or subsidizing the rich.

It was not long ago the PM while unveiling his ten point charter in his talk at CII made the suggestion to rein in voluntarily the skyrocketing CEOs pay packages especially in the context of wide disparity between the haves and have nots. Is reduction of taxes in keeping with this plea? In a land where millions are still wallowing in utter poverty it will be only sick minds that would revel in such outlandish and astronomic pay packages. The growing inequality between the rich and the lack of resources to fund the pressing poverty amelioration measures is a stark reality that PM could hardly afford to ignore. It is in this context that Dr Man Mohan Singh raised this issue of inclusive growth without fear of injuring the felicity of tycoons of Industry. Though there was no hint of government regulating the salaries, he was pleading for self imposed restraint consistent with the ground realities of large number in the throes of poverty and the social atmosphere in which the industry and business operated. It is not a question of the rights of wealth creators to a larger share of the pie. Rather it will not be in their interests to continue as tiny islands of opulence in the midst of vast sea of want, neglect and abject misery. If FM is really thinking of a reduction in rates of taxes, it goes counter to the philosophy of PM.

In an article by Andrew Hunt, he has mentioned how the wealth of the world is distributed with 90% in the hands of North America, Europe and high income Asia-Pacific countries with the rest of the world having to contend with the balance 10% only. The author has added the misdistribution of wealth can create conditions that give rise to violence and upheaval, and when this happens we will feel the ripples…. What better time than the present to begin discussing this matter and giving it the weight it deserves. Just as is happening with countries of the world a similar situation is prevailing among individuals within the countries too. As was reported in a daily the combined worth of 36 Indian billionaires is around $ 191 billion forming 25 per cent of the countrys GDP. The author has warned in a different context that like global warming “the widening gap between the rich and poor has potentially destructive consequences for the future, and the threat will continue to loom until the world community confronts it directly. According to Mahatma Gandhi Poverty is but the worst form of violence. Let us not rub salt on the injuries of the poor by flaunting the riches and widening the inequality. This is exactly what our PM tried to convey at the business forum. FM should be aware of this.

The distinctive feature of the liberalization ushered in the country is the creation of wealth concurrently along with growing inequality. This is an inevitable outcome where the stress is solely on growth of industry, service and IT sectors to the gross neglect of agricultural sector. Even a cursory look at the investments made by the corporate world both domestic and foreign would reveal that they are only in selective sectors where the beneficiaries are not the poorer sections. The motive of the corporate class is to maximize profit and create wealth for the shareholders. Any social content is at best an incidental byproduct. Man Mohan Singh may bewail about crony capitalism even when his own government is responsible for altering the direction in favour of right wing politics, corporate power, weakening of the labour unions and consumerism. Investments are only in areas of high returns and the quick payback period. Rural upliftment, long gestation projects of infrastructure and agriculture are in back burner. Concern for the poor is not in the scheme of things be it in the displacement of the vast number of poor farmers from their ancestral lands to make way for the industry or in the selection of areas for investment by government. There is no gainsaying the fact that the policies are influenced by the business class. They believe that IT and industrial revolution is the route to make the country join the club developed countries. There is an undue obsession about GDP growth. The development today is skewed and not broad based.

The vital sectors of economy like oil, gas, communication are cornered in the hands of a few corporate houses. These houses are spreading their tentacles to grab other important areas like retail, airports, power and such like. The danger of a monopolistic or oligopolistic situation should be avoided at any cost. The dangers of this trend have not been realized fully. The emphasis should be to make the investment broad based with a large number of players both indigenous and foreign taking part in the development process in all sectors. We should not allow a situation where the country is at the mercy of a few business houses in the near future as this is more pernicious than foreign oppression. The concentration of wealth in a very few hands would sound the death knell of democracy. While we are for laissez faire, we should consciously endeavour to broad base the wealth in the country. Even at the global level equality as a concept is at a discount with developed countries thriving to retain the barriers while wanting the poor countries to throw open their markets. It is an unequal world where ethical values do not come into play. We should not permit such behaviour within our country if we are determined to lift the poor out of poverty. The GDP growth, however much the economists talk about it, is no index of prosperity for all. With the poor continuing to suffer in poverty, we cannot buy the argument that large creation of wealth would uplift the masses as a spin off. A guided liberalization is the only recourse to prevent the exploitative and anti poor nature that we witness today. As of now only the rich and the educated classes benefit leaving out the vast poor totally in the cold. Such a twisted development provides a fertile ground for the violent elements to recruit its army in different parts of the country. The aim should be to tailor the reforms to suit our ethos towards a wider dispersal of wealth in larger number of hands than in concentration in the hands of a few business houses as is obtaining presently.

K Parthasarathi Feedback to author