Bihar elections: Castes in field while development in fridge

For the first time in history of Bihar assembly elections, the electoral mobilization has become complex and multifaceted. When the campaign was started, the political parties tried to win the voters on developmental plank; performance cards were being presented before the public by JDU-led ‘Grand alliance’ and BJP-led NDA, but now have drastically turned into the fight between backwards and forwards, mandal raj and kamandal raj. Development has taken a backseat while caste arithmetic is dominating the campaign trail. After parting ways with JDU, the BJP tried to bring tainted Lalu Prasad Yadav at the centre of electoral fight and reminded his jungle raj regime. The saffron outfit lambasted him of being corrupt and a symbol of mal governance through its aggressive campaign. Yadav, who himself wanted to emerge as a centric figure started raking up the issues of backwards-forwards, mandal-kamandal and reservation policy, in which he was successful and got support from a chunk of his castemen. Those Yadavs who are illiterate and find pride in their casteman have vociferously stood behind Lalu Prasad in spite of knowing the fact that he is not going to do anything for them.

Lalu, who is known for his shrewd political acumen knew if he has to place his ‘bunch of children’ in politics, this is the right time to hit the nail. Forming alliance with JDU and Congress despite Nitish’s apprehensions of taking RJD into its alliance ahead of formal announcement of contesting together, was a part of his calculative strategy. He had an idea as when to hammer the wall. In a series of his campaign trail, he always raked up the issues revolving around ‘yaduvanshis’. He knew minority is not going anywhere and focused on Yadavs who had disenchanted with him since the last general elections. Once they are consolidated, the minority will voluntarily come to his side as they have nothing to do with development, growth, economy or education but they do have in order to defeat the BJP.

 

 This election may or may not bring any fruitful results to Lalu but the next election would surely be made him first among equals. Scores of political pundits believe he is trying to position himself as a central figure and regain the lost ground. Raising the issues of ‘Brahamans’, appealing the backwards to stand against this community and fight against them are all a part of his broader political strategy.

This election would prove to be the most disastrous for chief minister Nitish Kumar as he would have nothing to offer to his partymen, if loses out to BJP.  Dissents voices would erupt very belligerently in the party and the dissenters will find their favourite destination to spend their remaining political life at ease. Kumar would take Rajya Sabha route to enjoy the politics of Lutyens’ Delhi. We have seen in the past too, when he was made the chief minister for the first time, he had said that he will not leave Bihar until removing the RJD government from Patna. After failing to prove the majority, he had to resign from the post, left Patna and became minister in the Vajpayee government.  

Bihar elections: Netas can't transcend family's 'Lakshman Rekha'

For a long time, the ‘Biharis’ have been striving to bring development, peace, better law and order situation in the state, but so far without any success. No neutral individual can question the Biharis aspirations and determinations, given the enormous enthusiasm in voting against the then established monarch (Lalu-Rabri rule). In the midst of this decade, there were some improvements we got to see, but it failed to sustain any further. The reason was political ambitions, arrogance and ego. When Lalu’s wife’s government was overthrown from Patna, the people and well wishers of the state had thought that the new regime would scale up Bihar in the field of economy, employment generation, and education and provide security for all. The state was recovering gradually, inspite of slowdown at national as well as global level, Bihar was progressing at the rate of 14 per cent, but after a gap of 5-7 years, things started rewinding and reached to that scratch from where it took the baton. The growth rate slashed to 8 per cent, cases of kidnapping and murders have increased and the government diverted its attention from development to complex and divisive issues of castes, religions, backwards and forwards. India Inc which had shown interest to invest in the state started fleeing due to deteriorating law and order arrangements.   

When Nitish Kumar became the Chief Minister in 2005 for the second time, the bureaucrats and police were granted full power to bring the system in place. The changes were visible across the nation and globe. Appreciations had poured in from international fora for its developmental policy and zero tolerance towards crimes. In order to empower women and extremely backward castes, the government provided reservation in the local bodies. Women started stepping out of the kitchen and actively participate in the decision making process. To raise the number of girls’ enrollment in the school, ‘cycle scheme’ was launched and the figures of registration shot up tremendously.

Since the elections in Bihar are at the corner, all the political parties are working hard to win more cake. Winnability of the candidates has been kept as the main criteria for tickets distribution, no matter what or who comes in. Parties have competed with each other in awarding tickets to alleged criminals and goons. Nitish Kumar, who was against the dynastic politics, has preferred to embrace Rahul Gandhi and ‘undisputed kings’ of Yadav clan into his fold, i.e. grand alliance, instead of going solo.

Besides this, the son, the daughter, the brother, the son-in-law factors have also played a pertinent role in ticket distribution in this election, scheduled to be held in next month. From family-run-parties like LJP and RJD to self pro-claimed free from dynastic politics party, the BJP, all have allotted its symbol to close relatives. It was more like a kingdom than democracy. Allocating seats to close or distant relatives just because being at the helm of party affairs betrays the very ethos of democratic set up. There are hell lots of deserving individuals, who can bring a change in socio-politico-economic lives of downtrodden and disadvantaged sections of the society, but have been kept out of race.

Everyone would agree on this point that no one is against the politicians’ kin doing politics or contesting election, provided they come through a proper channel. The dedicated party workers are being sidelined for easy entry of netas’ herd of children. When they go in public to seek votes they say we are fighting against the feudal mindsets and betterment of deprived sections. It exposes their hypocrisy that they are promoting the same thing of what they are fighting against.

The voters need to rise above the castes and religious lines to teach the leaders encourage dynastic politics. Else, monarchy is on way and may reach soon. In the name of castes and religions, they are substituting their kin in the political frame, which is setting wrong precedent before the generation to come. People must reject all those candidates who have made entry in to politics through ‘channel-2’ route. 

Onion, other common items expensive despite fall in headline inflation

 The headline WPI inflation may have come down to negative but several items of common man use like onion, pulses, fruits and milk have seen a sharp annual increase in prices, data analysis indicates.

The inflation measured by the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) was ruling at minus 2.65 per cent for April 2015.

The deflationary trend in the headline number has made the industry chambers and economists including former Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha seek cut in policy interest rates by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to stimulate industrial growth which plunged 2.1 per cent in March 2015 from five per cent February.

However, the disaggregate data shows how several items of common man’s use have become expensive.

For instance, the onion prices increased by almost 30 per cent in April, 2015 as compared to the same month last year. Similarly, pulses shot up by annualised 15.38 per cent while fruits by 14.22 per cent, as per the official data.

Likewise, milk is selling higher 7.42 per cent while the inflation for overall food articles was 5.73 per cent, much above the comfort level of the RBI.

The prospects of deficiency in Monsoon and recent increase in the petrol/diesel prices are also likely to exert pressure on the overall inflation, going forward.

These issues, according to analysts, are likely to weigh on the RBI’s policy directions on interest rates when it reviews the credit situation early next month.

It is distress sale of items like potatoes, sugar and some of the manufactured products which had a great impact on bringing down the overall WPI inflation to negative.   

This article was published in various news web portal. 

Wilful defaulters, NPAs remained challenges for banks in 2014

With economy in slow gear and rising non-performing assets, the Indian banks, particularly those in the public sector, went through very challenging times in 2014 but the new government seems determined to repair the losses and restore confidence of bankers in the coming year. The biggest problem for the public sector banks in 2014 related to non-performing assets (NPAs) triggering debates whether the bad loans are a result of only the economic slowdown or some of the large wilful defaulters who had the capacity to repay loans but would not pay taking refuge in the legalese.

One such case which dominated the media related to Vijay Mallya-owned Kingfisher Airlines that owed Rs 7,500 crore to the banks with the maximum exposure of Rs 1600 crore from the State Bank of India. But it was the United Bank of India which showed the courage to declare Mallya and his group company United Breweries (Holdings) as wilful defaulter.

In fact, India Inc has not been really used to the terminology of the 'wilful defaulter' and the issue has been taken head on not only by the United Bank but also by Reserve Bank of India Governor Raghuram Rajan described such non-cooperative as free-loaders.

"We need a change in mindset, where the wilful or non-cooperative defaulter is not lionised as a captain of industry, but justly chastised as a freeloader on the hardworking people of this country," Dr Rajan had given this famous quote. Different estimates place the NPAs of the public sector banks upward of Rs 2,40,000 crore and Gross NPAs as six per cent of the total lending by the banks.

The problem is so serious that the Finance Ministry is concerned about it and would be discussed at a retreat of bankers with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Pune on January 2-3.  Another issue which confronted the banks in 2014 related to inadequate capital at their command to meet the Basel-II norms as also for meeting their credit expansion requirements. Given the enormous amount required for capitalising the banks, the Cabinet has given a go-ahead for them to raise capital from the stock market but the government must retain its stake up to 52 per cent. 

While the stock market had a good run since August, 2013 the investors have generally been wary of the PSU banks concerned over the high level of NPAs. Whether the banks will get an opportunity to raise capital from the market at a right price remains to be seen.

The RBI on its part took initiatives which include giving new licences to Bandhan, a cooperative outfit of West Bengal and IDFC. It has also issued guidelines for payment banks so that technology can be used to gain financial inclusion. Super stores and mobile telephones would be the payment channels in times to come. The banks also had a major challenge to meet the targets set under the Prime Minister's Jan Dhan Yojna for achieving financial inclusion of those who have been kept out of the banking channels. Upto November 28, eight crore accounts have already opened for those who would have entered a bank branch for the first time in their lives. 

The objective is two fold: to bring the have-nots in the banking channels and to better target the government subsidies so that leakages can be plugged.

‘Parivar mukt’ political parties is need of the hour

“Politics should always be passion, not profession. When it becomes profession the corruption and mal-practices are bound to take shape in this holistic world.”

With Congress almost set to decimate in India, now the time has come to unite and vouch for “Parivar Mukt Political Parties”. The young bloods with no fathers or godfathers in politics should be encouraged and promoted in the existing spectrum. Free politics from dynasty should be the main mantra of all Indians. There should be no Hoodas in Haryana, no Pawars in Maharashtra, no Yadavs and Paswans in Purvanchal. The merits and caliber should be the criteria for sending them into the holy place of democracy.

During Parliamentary election campaigns Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi gave a clarion call to bring “Congress Mukt Bharat” and the people of this holy nation responded accordingly. The Congress party who was leading the UPA government at the centre with 206 seats reduced to just 44. Fortunately the number of seats won by the party is equal to its Prince Rahul Gandhi’s age. The NDA-led by BJP formed the government at the Centre with a huge majority. Former Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi succeeded Manmohan Singh. Many members of legislative assemblies (MLAs) reached the lower house of Parliament and their seats were vacated. Bypolls were held where BJP performed not upto the mark as it was expected. Political pundits and experts started believing that the charisma of Modi has been faded away.

Just before Maharashtra and Haryana elections, the alliance got splited in both the states. In Haryana HJC was the partner while Shiv Sena in Maharashtra. The party went solo in both states and set to form the government on its own in Haryana while emerged as biggest party in Maharashtra with bagging 123 seats and the required number to form the government is 145. However, Sharad Pawar-led NCP has offered an unconditional outside support while Shiv Sena is also willing to join hand with its short time rival with condition.

Dynastic politics has ruined the very fabric of India’s inclusive leadership. It needs to smack away in order to restore the people faiths in politics and politicians. It is unethical to good governance and democratic politics. Election results of both the states shown up the limits of dynastic politics. The way Prime Minister Modi has taken up, to clean the holy river Ganga and Swacchh Bharat mission he should also focus on to make “parivar mukt politics”. 

Dynasty free politics will be better for sustainable growth, rapid development, economic prosperity and good governance. Besides Modi, the people of this nation should also take a step further to make it a reality, so that the India’s lost glory can be brought back.

National Judicial Appointment Commission is a milestone in curbing nepotism in Judiciary

With the passage of Constitution Amendment and National Judicial Appointment Commission bills (NJAC) in both the houses of Parliament, unanimously, it gave a new dimension in the appointment of judges of High Courts as well as Supreme Court. The NJAC will replace the rotten collegium system, which is discharging its duties in appointment of judges of above said courts, as of now. The idea of such a statutory body is a prudent one because lots of questions were raised against the present system in the recent past. There was a growing dissatisfaction in the legal world as merits and talents were being overlooked by collegium system. Nepotism and favouritism were the sole criteria for selection of judges to the Supreme Court and High Courts. Despite many faults, the collegium has been widely credited with protecting the judicial independence and no interference from executive.

The introduction of new commission will give an equal say in the selection process of judges, which so far is missing. Six members panel will choose the best candidate. The panel will be headed by the Chief Justice of India. Besides CJI, two senior most judges, Union Law Minister and two eminent personalities will be its members.  The Prime Minister, Chief Justice of India and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha will select the eminent persons, out of which one member will be nominated from among the Schedule Castes, tribes, minorities or women. Over the ongoing debate on scraping of collegium system the legal fraternity have been divided, the pro system legalists accusing the government of infringing the primacy of the judiciary while anti group says new commission will help the talented to come up. Former CJI AK Ganguly said, “The present collegium system has defeated its purposes and an alternative must be found out”.  Meanwhile Union Law & Justice Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad quoted in Lok Sabha, “The independence of judiciary will not be diluted”.

However, many eminent lawyers have challenged the government with regards to scrapping of collegium system. Lawyers like F Nariman and Kapil Sibal are planning to move the apex court shortly. They say the bills which have been passed in Parliament violate the basic structure of Constitution and that is enough for them to drag the Centre in Court. They also question how the veto power can be given to any of two members of commission to scuttle the appointment of an individual? They also requested the Supreme Court to look into the matter as it pertains to the independence of Judiciary.

Article 124 and Article 217, clearly state that the “Executive” will appoint the judges after consulting the judiciary and not the other way around. Article 124 states that the President shall appoint every judge of the Supreme Court after consultation with other Supreme Court and High Court judges as the President may deem necessary for the purpose. It also says that except for the appointment of the Chief Justice of India, the CJI shall always be consulted for appointing SC judges. Article 217 states that every High Court judge shall be appointed by the President in consultation with the Chief Justice of India, the Governor of the state, and the Chief Justice of the High Court (except when the CJ of HC is to be elected). In 1993 judgement, the Supreme Court created the Collegium system to which Former Law Minister Kapil Sibal was the lawyer. Under Collegium system, the executive role was limited to merely objecting the nominations of the judges. The NJAC will correct these imbalances and bring an end to usurpation of powers.

It requires 15 state legislatures to pass the Constitutional Amendment bill and give a lasting cover. After then it would face the test of apex court whether it is constitutionally fit or unfit. As far as flaws of NJAC is concerned, it will come on fore with time until then, it’s a milestone in the right direction.

Intellectuals confused between capability and academic degree?

Within hours of taking oath as India’s 28^th Cabinet Minister for Human Resources Development, a prominent and articulate face of BJP on TV, Smriti Irani has been dragged into controversy by her opponents and intellectuals citing she is not capable enough to handle the ministry as she is educationally not so sound. India is fortunate to have its first woman cabinet minister since independence. Smt. Sheila Kaul was the first Minister of State for HRD, served under Prime Ministership of Indira Gandhi in 1981-1984.

The newly elected Prime Minister Narendra Modi had gone through the bio-data of all probable leaders who were to be sworn-in as ministers in his council. It is the prerogative of Prime Minister to allocate portfolios to the elected representatives. In a democratic system, people can criticise over decisions taken by the elected government and it must be accepted graciously by the people in power. But as a constructive and matured opposition, we need to examine whether the criticism will do any benefit to society to which we owe or just satisfying egos. In a case of Smriti Irani’s educational qualification controversy, I don’t think there is any need to make a fuss about. A tweet by senior Congress leader about Irani taking a jibe saying she is not ‘even a graduate’ signifies his mental bankruptcy. His mind has apparently stopped thinking positive and constructive vibes have been confined to particular ideologies, individual or party. Good works must be appreciated and bad must be criticised.

Capabilities and educational degree are two different things. We cannot afford capabilities to go waste just because having no educational or paper degree. Though in our country there is no prescribed educational eligibility for a person to become an MP or an MLA, and there is no legal hurdle that can stop the same from becoming a minister. Even then a bunch of self

proclaimed intellectuals opposed her elevation for a heavyweight portfolio. Executive, legislative and judiciary are three branches of government. The ministers and bureaucrats fall under the category of ‘executive’. The term executive are divided into two parts i.e. temporary and permanent executive. The minister comes and goes so falls under temporary category while bureaucrats are the permanent executive. The work of temporary executive is to give direction and ideas and there are designated officials who implement the ideas. Dealing with CMs and VCs will be the least of her headaches and policy-related issues; she will work closely with Modi, as the PM is known for monitoring closely the developments.

India has witnessed ministries held by Harvard and other Ivy League alumni, yet they have at times failed to rise up to the expectations. We had an internationally acclaimed economist Prime Minister and we all are aware of our state of economy, currently. So my only point is we should give her time to perform and if she doesn’t perform, it, the government has full authority to replace her.

I do not want to go into details about ministers who excelled in their fields despite not having obtained excellent academic qualifications. I have been a vehement critic of former Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, who is an engineer by profession. I would hereby like to draw the attention of all ‘intellectuals’ who need to be a

scholar to head the HRD Ministry. All you need to do is visit Bihar’s villages to closely monitor the quality of teachers appointed by state education minister PK Sahi’s department. The teachers there are allegedly teaching everything wrong. The concerned minister is known to be highly qualified. Another instance is of former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal who is an IIT alumnus.

Conclusively, a good judge may not be a good lawyer, a good lawyer may not be a good judge.