Thursday, November 30, 2017

Gujarat poll not easy, but BJP has still upper hand

The election campaigns for the first phase by both the political contenders- ruling BJP and the opposition Congress- are in full swing. BJP has been ruling the state for 22 years. Mr.Narendra Modi was the Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2001 to May 26, 2014. He was sworn- in as Prime Minister of India on May 26, 2014, as his party, BJP won Lok Sabha elections with a massive mandate. When Modi was the Chief Minister of the state, his Gujarat model of development earned all-round applause and it made a great contribution to attracting people in 2014 Lok Sabha elections towards him and his party. Gujarat has also been considered as Hindutva laboratory. It has been a developed state. BJP has been very strong in the state for a long time. The Patidar community constitutes 16 percent of Gujarat population. Patels in the state are economically, intellectually and politically far ahead of all other communities in the state. They became supporters of the BJP after the formation of KHAM formula by the former Congress Chief Minister Madhav Singh Solanki. On the basis of the total support of Partidar community, BJP won the elections after elections very easily. But in this assembly election, Partidars under the leadership of young, vocal and liberal Hardik Patel appear to be opposed to BJP. They have been agitating for reservation in a government job and educational institutions. As according to the Supreme Court, the reservation limit of 50 percent cannot be crossed, the Gujarat govt. turned down their demand. They formed Patidar Anamat Association Samiti(PAAS) under the leadership of Hardik Patel. They organized a massive rally in support of PAAS. The police had to resort to firing to control the mob of Patels at that time. In the police firing, around 10 young Patel boys were reportedly killed. This unfortunate incident of police firing antagonized the Patidar community very much. Hardik Patel came closer to Congress against the BJP in this assembly election. Now, it is to be seen how Patel voters vote in this assembly election. Apart from Hardik,two more young leaders Alpesh Thakor and Ginesh Mevani of backward and SC/ST communities respectively have shaken their hands with Congress. Alpesh has already joined Congress party. So, the stack against the BJP this time to win the elections is not light, but heavy enough to be pushed out. Realizing the mind of the people in the state of Gujarat that this time they are not going to vote his party in a natural way, Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself started playing emotional and Hindu Muslim cards in favour of his party. In his election meeting, he talks of Pakistan, Hafiz Sayeed and Chaiwala taint himself to win people’s favour. By playing the emotional card of being the son of Gujarat and has been a victim of being Chaiwala before coming into politics, he tries to draw the people towards his party. By talking of Hafiz Sayeed and Pakistan, he tries to polarize majority community of Hindus in his party’s favour. Now, he never talks of Gujarat model of development in his election meeting. Apart from Patels’ discontents, anti-incumbency factor, the negative impact of PM two pet economic steps -Demonetization and GST - on the business community have made them disillusioned with the BJP govt., though they have been its traditional voters. But despite all these hurdles for BJP to win Gujarat elections, PM Modi is still the trump card for the party. And BJP still has the upper hand in Gujarat.Gujarat elections are scheduled in two phases, on December 9 and December 14, and the state will have its verdict on 18th December.

Monday, November 27, 2017

US urgently needs to act against Pakistan

Merely telling that there will be a repercussion of the release of designated terrorist and Jama-Ud-Dawa Chief Hafiz Saeed from house arrest on bilateral relations by the US serves no purpose. Pak has no concern about its global reputation. Hafiz Saeed is the mastermind of Mumbai Terror attacks of 26/11 in which 166 innocent people were killed and more than 300 injured. He must be re-arrested. The US must ensure his re-arrest by putting pressure on Pakistan. 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks had shocked and shaken the entire world and all had spoken in unison against the terrorism. Despite India handed over all pieces of evidence of the complicity of Hafiz Saeed in Mumbai attacks, it appears that Pakistan deliberately did not present them in the court to facilitate his release. It also appears that it is not only Pak government but also its judiciary dances at the tune of the military establishment, which provides all types of help to various terror groups in Pakistan. So, the US must know that the epicentre of all terror acts in the world is Pakistan. The saviour of the terror organizations in Pakistan is its military. Pak military has always been very important player in governance since its inception and because of this half of its existence has been under the military rule. Hafiz Saeed is the representing the organization of terror, which is the enemy of humanity. Earlier, it was experienced that whenever India raised the issue of Pak sponsored terrorism and its own concerns over it at international platform, the big powers of the world usually took it very lightly and no country ever paid any seriousness to it. But after 9/11, when the pain of terror was experienced by the US and other western powers also, all started speaking in the language of India against terror. Terrorism is the greatest enemy of the humanity. The country which values humanity above everything will always be supported by the entire world. Pakistan is a rogue state. It does not understand the language of civility. It is to be treated as a rogue only then it will stop sponsoring terrorism in India and elsewhere. India is itself capable of pulverizing the terrorism. It does not need any help from others to deal with the terrorism sponsored by Pakistan. There must not be any doubt about the involvement of Pakistan in sponsoring, aiding and abetting terrorism with an aim of creating mayhem in Jammu and Kashmir of India and other countries of the world. If the US really wants to punish Pakistan for aiding, abetting and nurturing terrorism, it must start without any delay the process of declaring it a terrorist state. It baffles most of the observers that why the US is not taking direct action against Pakistan. If Pakistan fails to re-arrest Hafiz Saeed, what action will the US take against it? US must also open its mind what it wants to do with Pakistan in regards to terrorism. It will not go long that whenever any US dignitary visits India, he or she speaks against Pakistan and when the same dignitary visits Pakistan he or she does say nothing there. It means the US is just befooling India. The US President Donald Trump must act against Pakistan and show the world that the last vestiges of terrorism will be wiped out.

Saturday, November 25, 2017

Build Ram temple through consensus or on court verdict

The strong pitch for constructing Ram Temple on the disputed site at Ayodhya is being made by Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh (RSS) Chief Mohan Bhagwat with the nearing of Gujarat elections to build political tempo in favour of its political wing the ruling Bhartiya Janata Party. While the matter regarding the construction of Ram Temple on the disputed site at Ayodhya is subjduce in the Supreme Court of India, the statement given by none other than the RSS chief that the Ram Temple will be built on the disputed site at Ayodhya assumes significance. Bhagwat’s statement must be taken seriously. No one opposes the construction of Ram temple but it must be through consensus or on court verdict. The Ram Temple Babri-Masjid dispute is very old and it has been plaguing the nation since independence. Both parties to the dispute claim their rights on the disputed site. The nation has already paid the price for the unfortunate incident of Babri-Masjid demolition on Dec.6, 1992. It is alleged that the Babri-Masjid was demolished on the instigations of RSS, BJP and various Hindu organizations. The Govt. at the Centre at that time failed to enforce the rule of law and despite giving an undertaking in the apex court, the then BJP Chief Minister Kalyan Singh of Uttar Pradesh failed to protect the Babri-Masjid. In the repercussion to the demolition of Babri-Masjid, there broke out a series of communal violence all over the country. The 1993 Mumbai communal violence allegedly engineered and masterminded by Underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, who is reportedly living in the haven across the border and despite India's demand to hand him over to it, Pak takes no notice. Now the question here arises that when the matter is subjudice, what is the need of raising the issue? The issue of Ram Temple has been raised by Mohan Bhagwat at the three-day Dharm Sansad organized by RSS religious wing Vishwa Hindu Parishad in Karnataka's Udupi. Now, election time is coming near. Gujarat assembly election process is underway. Next year nine state assembly elections will take place and just after a year in 2019 Lok Sabha elections will due to be held. It has also been experienced that whenever any major state or general election is about to be held, either RSS itself or its any wing religious, political or youth brigade raises the issue of Ram Temple with the sole motive of polarizing the majority Hindu votes in favour of BJP. But the matter of the face is that all Indians whether they are Hindus or others want a grand temple of Lord Ram at Ayodhya to be built, but it is to be done through consensus or on the verdict of the court. There must not be the use of muscle power to build Ram temple on the disputed site at Ayodhya by hurting the sentiment of the other party representing in the court of law. Court verdict on the construction of Ram Temple is acceptable to all. It must be acceptable to Hindus and Muslims both. Secular social fabric of the nation must not be torn at any cost. Nothing should be done to hurt the feeling of any community. India is a sovereign secular socialist democratic republic. Its character must be respected and protected. Ram Temple must be built without hurting the feeling of any community.

Friday, November 24, 2017

Door must be kept open for talks

Centre's special representative for Kashmir is on his second round of visit to the trouble torn-state. It must be known to all stakeholders in the state that the problems of Jammu and Kashmir cannot be resolved in two or three rounds of talks. As the problem is longstanding for years, the solution will take time to be found out. Dineshwar Sharma is a very senior and has been an upright IB officer. He has a vast experience of talking to players in this type of problems as he had been to North-eastern states for the same reason. By appointing Sharma as Centre's special representative for Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi showed at last that he had the policy to deal with the Kashmir problems. Dialogue, discussion and talks can only be the medium of resolving the Kashmir problem. One thing must be made clear before embarking on any dialogue process that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and it will remain so. Whoever comes to the talking table must know this and there would be no talk on this point. All those who are Indians and living in Kashmir can put their views before the Govt. interlocutor Dineshwar Sharma. There must not be any reservation or condition on talking to the countrymen in Jammu and Kashmir. It must also be impressed on the people of the Valley, who have been misled by the separatist leaders at the behest of Pakistan, that Jammu and Kashmir is their state and they are all Indian citizens. All the grievances of the misguided and misled youth must be heard patiently and necessary action should be taken to remove them under the ambit of the Constitution of India. All talks on Jammu and Kashmir with all the stakeholders in the state must be held within the ambit of the Constitution. It is the responsibility of Centre's special representative to impress on the misguided and misled youth and separatist leaders of Jammu and Kashmir that Pakistan is only leading them nowhere and its only aims and objective are to disturb and disintegrate India by its own people. That is why it pays them to do its bidding against India. They must also be impressed that Pakistan would never succeed in its nefarious design on India. It is a good beginning made by the Centre's interlocutors Dineshwar Sharma that he talks to all political and non-political representatives to keep himself abreast of the latest developments in the Valley. One of the most important stakeholders in Jammu and Kashmir is the Kashmiri Pandit community. It is Pandits who suffered most from Pak-sponsored terrorism. They have been evicted and driven away from their home and hearth by the secessionist, separatist, militant and terror element in early 1990. Hundreds of Pandits lost their lives. At last, to save their lives and prestige, they left the state in lakhs for different corners of India. They were made to live in different cities of the country as refugees. So, there must also be a point how Pandit community would return to their homeland with due respect and guarantee of safety and security.

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Take cognizance of hospital's apathy

The Government at the Centre and in the state of Haryana must take a serious note of Gugurugram Fortis hospital's apathetic treatment to Adya Singh, a little girl of barely 7 years old, due to which she died as she had been suffering from Dengue fever. She was in the hospital for the treatment for 15 days. But the doctors could not save her life and the hospital slapped a bill of Rs. 16 lakh for the treatment. It appears that no humanity is left and only what matters most is the commercial interest of the hospital in the country. Fortis is one of the most prestigious and the costliest hospitals in the country. It was Gurugram branch of the Fortis hospital where the little girl Adya died of Dengue in absence of the proper and prompt treatment as alleged by her father. It appears to be the sheer negligence of the hospital staff, including all doctors. Private hospital like Fortis, Max, Batra, Sir Ganga Ram Apollo, Medanta and others' main objective is to fleece as much money as they could from the patients. They appear to be less interested in curing the patient and more in fleecing them. Their main aim is to extract all money and pay less attention and provide sub-standard service. It is very easy to say that the profession of doctors is very refined and sophisticated and they are dedicated to the service of the humanity. But now-a-days, it is experienced that medical profession has completely become commercial. It is the commercial interest of the Fortis management that the doctors are allotted the fixed number of patients to see. In this mad rush for completing the quota of patients, doctors fail to provide proper, suitable and responsive treatment to the little girl like Adya Singh. Haryana and Central governments have rightly taken serious note of the hospital's apathy in treating the girl. It is alleged that doctors were negligent in providing proper treatment to Adya. She was on the hospital bed for 15 days for which the hospital charged 16 lakh rupees. Whoever hears the huge charge of a failed treatment, he or she expresses concerns over the commercialization of healthcare in the country. Lower middle-class people cannot even dream of treatment in the big private hospital like Fortis. Haryana Govt. has rightly constituted a 3-member team to go into the death of the little girl Adya Singh at Gurugram's Fortis hospital. The three-member probe committee must go into all aspects and whoever is found guilty of negligence in his or duty as a doctor must be stringently punished. It is also to be probed how 16 Lakh rupees was charged for treating the girl and how and under what circumstances she died. It is praiseworthy that Union Health Minister JP Nadda has also taken cognizance of hospital's apathy and its huge charge of Rs. 16 lakh. Taking note of the death of a seven-year-old girl at Gurugram's Fortis Hospital and the subsequent bill of Rs 16 lakh slapped on the family, the Haryana government has constituted a three-member team to look into allegations by girl's parents. The team has been asked to submit a report within two weeks.

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Public sentiment and freedom of expression must be protected

Both the public sentiment and freedom of expression must be respected by artists, writers, directors, filmmakers, painters, singer etc. Rajput community is fiercely opposed to the screening of the film Padmavati directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Deepika Padukone has played the main role of Rani Padmavati of Chittorgarh in Rajasthan. This is the cinematic presentation and this may be based on the figment of the imagination. So, it must not be taken seriously or be made an issue of prestige. Rani Padmavati was the wife of Raja Ratan Singh of Chittorgarh in Rajathan. Aladdin Khilji of Khilji dynasty was the emperor of Delhi. Rani Padmavati was strikingly beautiful and one of the courtiers of Aladdin Khilji had described her beauty to him. Upon hearing about her beauty, it is said that he moved to Chittorgarh with his battalion of soldiers for the war against Raja Ratan Singh. He could not defeat Rajput king but through deceitful means, he arrested and brought him to Delhi. A war again broke out between the commanders of Raja Ratan Singh on the order of Rani Padmavati to get him free from the clutches of Khilji, but unfortunately, he was killed. After that Rani Padmavati along with 16000 Rajput ladies jumped into the bowl of fire and committed Sati to protect their honour and the prestige of the nation. Rani Padmavati is revered as Goddess by Rajput in Chittorgarh. Any portrayal of her in the taste below her stature is not tolerable for Rajputs. They demand an immediate ban on the film Padmavati. Film Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali says that the role of Rani Padmavati played by Deepika Padukone has been painted with utmost care and she has been held in the highest esteem in the whole cinema. As the film paints the war between Aladdin Khilji and Rajputs, the political parties, especially the ruling BJP, don't miss the chance of exploiting the controversy over it in terms of Rajput votes in view of the Gujarat assembly elections. The film was to be released on December 1, but now it would not be allowed to be released before Gujarat assembly elections. Now come to the freedom of expression that when the film director undertakes the responsibility that there is nothing in the film which could hurt the sentiment and damage the prestige of Rajput community, their fierce opposition to its screening baffles the general public. Now it is for the government of the day to not allow the handful of muscle men to throttle the freedom of expression. Some openly threaten Deepika of cutting her nose like what Laxman did to Ravan’s sister Supernekha in the Ramayan. Some other declares of awarding the prize of Rs. 5 crore rupees for beheading the artists. And the government of the day is listening to these threats as mute spectators. Rajputs allege that the character of Rani Padmavati has been painted in bad taste. They say that Rani never danced while Deepika was dancing in the film in her role as the trailer shows. Without witnessing the movie, Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje Scindhia and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh banned the film Padmavati in their respective states. Which film is to be released and which is not to be released is the power of Film Censor Board. It would be better for the Censor Board to watch the movie and then decided what to do with it. The banning order given by both the CMs in their respective states amply indicates that our leaders use every issue for votes. Neither the public sentiment be hurt nor the freedom of expression be curtailed at any cost.

Friday, November 17, 2017

International recognition

Moody's India upgrade is good. It is also a good news that the international rating agency like Moody's has not only praised economic measures taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi but also upgraded India's sovereign rating to BAA2 with a stable outlook from Baa3 earlier. This is the first time that Moody's upgraded India's rating since 2004. Moody’s upgrade of India’s economic rating can be interpreted as recognition of the raft of structural reforms taken by the current government over the last 3-4 years. This is the first time in 13 years that the international rating agency has raised India’s assessment – to Baa2 from Baa3 – indicating that the economy has moved from ‘stable’ to ‘positive’, and is on a high growth trajectory. Among the principal policy changes that have contributed to improving India’s rating are the implementation of a comprehensive reforms programme, including the introduction of the GST, the Aadhaar system of biometric accounts, direct benefit transfer schemes and measures to address bad loans. The upgrade essentially means that the cost of international borrowing will now become cheaper for the Indian government and Indian corporates, and also lead to a surge in equity markets. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took two important economic decisions. One is of demonetization and other is of GST. The entire nation affirmed faith in PM's speech that after 50 days of demonetization, all economic ails will be removed from the country. Black money, corruption, counterfeiting of notes, stone pelting in Jammu and Kashmir, Naxalism and terrorism would be finished. PM with his declaration of demonetization in a televised addressed to the nation at 8 PM on Nov. 8, 2016, that all high currency notes of 500 and 1000 will no longer be legal tenders. He called up all citizens to exchange their demonetized high currency notes from banks. He appealed to the countrymen to bear with the problems in standing in a queue outside the bank for 50 days in the interest of the nation. The demonetized high currency notes of Rs. 500 and 1000 constituted 86 percent of total currency notes. If RBI report is anything to go by, about 99 percent of the currency came into the banking system. The expenditure on the printing of the news notes exceeded their value. This is one part of the result of demonetization. Its second part is its impact on small and medium business and employment in the country. If CMEI report is anything to go by, 15 lakh people were rendered jobless in the first three months of 2017 due to demonetization. As all economic activities came to a halt, there prevailed gloom in the market. With the introduction of GST, which is PM Modi’s pet economic move, the small and medium businessmen were harmed beyond expectation. Its official paraphernalia of taxation is so lengthy and computerized that it is beyond their understanding. The Moody’s may have upgraded India’s rating, but the ground economic reality tells a different story. The poor are becoming poorer and the rich are becoming richer. The gulf between the poor and the rich has also widened. So, it would be better if Modi Govt. had not patted its back merely at Moody’s upgrade India rating. Prices of all edibles and essential commodities are also going up and up.

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Bonhomie in Indo-US relations

After the meeting of a quadrilateral coalition of four nations- India, the US, Japan and Australia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has held bilateral meeting with the US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of ASEAN summit at Manila in the Philippines. The meeting between the two was held in a very cordial atmosphere and both appreciated each other's performances. PM Modi thanked President Trump for praising him whenever he got the opportunity. PM Modi also praised Trump's style of functioning. It clearly appears that the chemistry between the two leaders is very fine. Both showed warmth and affection for each other and they also gave clear hints that they would take the relations between the two countries to new heights. They not only talked about bilateral issues but also beyond that. Quadrilateral talks among the four nations were held to keep Indo-Pacific region free, open and inclusive. Though China sees it as grouping against it in Asia, it is its misplaced belief. It is only meant for establishing peace, prosperity, and amity among Asian nations. This type of grouping was formed earlier also but that it did not work and ultimately it was dissolved. President Donald Trump appears to be a very big fan of PM Modi. He has always spoken very high of him. With the US coming closer to India for the last few years especially after sealing the N-deal between the two countries, the strategic relations also got strengthened.US is the oldest democracy while India is the largest one in the world. So, the US and India can be natural partners. They are expected to be on the same page in dealing with international problems. But for that, both will have to rise above personal interests. It is the statesmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he impressed all the world leaders whom he has met so far. It is our PM's personal traits that all the leaders become impressed with him very easily. Both India and the US should work beyond bilateral issues. They should work for peace and development in the Indo-Pacific region. The US being the sole superpower of the world, it has greater responsibility in the development of Indo-Pacific region. It also must be ensured that no Asian country could try to establish its hegemony in the region. With XI Jing being in power for 5 more years in China and his military preparations, it is necessary for the US President Trump to act decisively so that no confrontation or collection of armed personnel could take place in the Indo-Pacific region. Since the US started coming closer to India and distancing itself from Pakistan, an open field for China was left to set its feet firmly in the Asian region. Pakistan and China came close to each other. Apart from CPEC already in place, Pak even allowed Chinese troops to set their feet on its territory for war and other exercises. It is a dangerous development that Pakistan has now completely surrendered to China. China's free entry in Pakistan is not good for India. The US is required to be watchful of the development China in India's neigbourhood. President Donald Trump has often praised Prime Minister Modi the most recent instance was on the sidelines of the APEC Summit in Vietnam where he gave credit for India's rising growth trajectory to Prime Minister Modi. Earlier at the G20 Summit in Germany too, the chemistry between both the leaders made heads turn. The bonhomie in relations was first seen this year in June during Prime Minister Modi's America visit when President Trump and First Lady Melania hosted him at the White House for bilateral talks.

Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Delhiites gasping for breath

Delhi air quality has gone down an all-time low. It shoots up to 451 on the scale where the maximum level is 500. The inhaling of Delhi air in the morning is equal to smoking 50 cigarettes. It is detrimental to healthy individuals and those who suffer from breathing, heart and throat problem. As per the IMA, this is a public health emergency as the city has practically turned into a gas chamber. When Delhiites woke up in the morning today, it seemed as if the city were shrouded in a thick blanket of smog with the visibility level very low and pollution level crossing all danger limits. Air quality in the capital is getting worse and worse and pollution level in the city reached to 451. All India Medical Association has rightly declared a public health emergency in Delhi. The situation is very grave and disturbing. Supreme Court mandated Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) has recommended the four-time increase in Parking fee and rationalizing the Metro Fare. It is time for the Central, Delhi, environment activists and the common Delhiites to make aware the people of the impending danger of pollution. The immediate need of the hour for the govt. in Delhi is to take emergency measures to meet the emergency situation. The rising level of pollution is posing a great threat to the health of the school going children in the morning. The pollution in the morning is inhaled by them profusely and that causes lungs and other throat related diseases. The worsening condition of pollution may cause health problems for healthy people. Those people who suffer from Cardiovascular and heart diseases have to be away from this type of polluted environment. This is not the first time that the Delhiites have experienced this thick cover of smog. It is a regular phenomenon for them. The Delhi Govt. must deal stringently with the people who violate norms meant for keeping pollution in check by using diesel generators all the time at their shops, offices and residences. The petrol run vehicles must be regulated in the city and the burning of stubble by the farmer in NCR and neighbouring states to clear the field be stopped. To deal with the problem of rising pollution effectively, the Govt. must introduce and well-managed and comfortable public transports on the road the number of the round of Metro every minute should also be increased. Delhiites would continue to experience worsening condition. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, high moisture level in the air has trapped emission from local sources and hanging low over the city in the absence of wind. A 'severe' Air Quality Index comes with the warning that air affects healthy people and seriously impacts those with existing respiratory or cardiovascular diseases. The CPCB also recorded 'severe' air quality in the neighbouring Noida and Ghaziabad. Due to smog-like condition, the visibility early in the morning remained low, causing problems in rail and flight movement. The Supreme Court mandated green body Environment Pollution ( Prevention and Control) Authority- EPCA has recommended a four-times hike in parking fee and reduction of metro fares during off-peak hours to tackle the severe air quality in Delhi- NCR. The Committee met in New Delhi in the backdrop of worsening air quality in the region and announced a series of measures under the Graded Response Action Plan. The measures also include complete closure of brick kilns, hot mix plants and stone crushers across the region till further notice.

Tuesday, November 7, 2017

Lacking in action against corruption

Paradise after Panama papers have revealed the names of high and mighty, who have tax haven dealings, but despite the prompt order of probe, no action would be initiated on the report of the investigation. Though Centre has rightly ordered a probe by the reconstituted Multi Agency Group into the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists' Paradise Papers, the most important thing is action on the report of investigation. It is welcome that the Govt. has taken prompt action by ordering the probe immediately after Paradise papers’ names came to light, which reflects how big and mighty people from all around the world commit irregularities and have tax haven dealings. They have unaccounted money so they deal with tax haven by conniving with the law of the land. Paradise and Panama papers are of International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, which have leaked the information about how political leaders, Bollywood actors, businessmen, doctors etc. have stashed their unaccounted money into tax haven countries. With the revelation of Panama papers, several governments all around the world, including our neighbour Pakistan toppled, but no action was taken by our Govt. against those powerful personalities whose names figured in them. So, mere giving order to probe into Paradise papers and taking no action on the report of the investigation would never serve any purpose. And ultimately, it sends out the message that the Govt. at the Centre is not interested in acting against those people whose names figured in either Panama or Paradise. India's rank is 19th in Paradise papers as far as the name of the people in them is concerned. Prime Minister Narendra Modi always stresses the need for rooting out corruption from the country. But the time of issuing statements have gone. Now, action against corruption irrespective of connection is urgently required. Otherwise, the impression would go that Narendra Modi govt. is as lax as the previous one was in regards to fighting against corruption. ICIJ and 95 media partners explored 13.4 million leaked files from some of the world's most secretive countries. Prominent names from the US, UK, several other countries even India are shown to have tax haven dealings. From India to Washington, to London from Canada to Pakistan the new set of papers reveal how world’s rich and mighty has been indulging in alleged financial irregularities. Indian govt. has already taken cognizance and investigation units of the Income Tax Department have been alerted to take note of revelations for immediate appropriate action. It has been reported that many cases of offshore entities are already under investigation on fast track. The Government has directed that investigations in cases of Paradise Papers will be monitored through a reconstituted Multi Agency Group, headed by the Chairman, CBDT, having representatives from CBDT, ED, RBI & FIU. The most appropriate way to deal with corruption and black money is to take prompt action against all those, who are involved amassing ill-gotten money, irrespective of their connection. The time has come for action, and not merely issuing statement after statement about this and that achievement.

Monday, November 6, 2017

Corruption charges follow everywhere

By changing sides, the stigma of corruption charges against the political party leaders is not washed away. It is no logic that by joining the ruling BJP, the tainted leaders of Congress and other opposition parties are absolved of all charges. The two tainted leaders one of Himachal Pradesh and the other of West Bengal have left their parties and joined the BJP. The charges of corruption against them were leveled against them by none other than the BJP leaders. But now they have become clean only because they joined the BJP. It means the BJP is like the holy Ganges in which whichever tainted political leaders take a dip is washed off their sin of corruption. Pandit Sukhram was the Telecom Minister in Congress government of Narasimha Rao in 1996 when the investigating agency (CBI) during their investigation at his residences both at Mandi and New Delhi reportedly found bundles of notes of different denominations worth several crores in cash under his bed. Parliament was adjourned for more than two weeks over the bribery charges against Sukharam. The main leaders in Parliament who raised voice vociferously in Parliament were from the BJP. They stopped the Parliament to run for weeks over Sukhram issue. But when first Sukhram and then his son Anil Sharma in Himachal Pradesh left Congress and Joined BJP, they were considered, to be honest. What a standard parameter! It means it is clear that votes matter above everything for all political parties. There is no importance of moral, ethics, sanctity and character before votes for them. It is now clearly reflected that vote gathering capacity is the only factor in deciding the personality of political leaders. No doubt, Sukhram is still the most popular leader and has a strong grip on the voters in Mandi. Senior TMC leader Mukul Roy resigned from the party and joined BJP. He was close lieutenant of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. He is accused of involvement in the famous scandals of Narada and Sharda. Again, it is none other than the BJP which had sought at the top of its voice for action against all those TMC leaders who were allegedly involved in Sharada and Narada Ponzi scandals. But now when Mukul Roy joined BJP, all the charges of corruption against him were of bygone days. BJP’s philosophy is that the past is past. Now see ahead and leave the baggage behind. BJP President Amit Shah laid the trap to enmesh Mukul Roy to strengthen his resurging party in Bengal. With the Left on the verge of total collapse and the Congress disorganized and disjointed in Bengal, BJP is emerging as the main opposition party in West Bengal. As Mukul Roy was considered to be very close to CM Mamata Banerjee since Nandigram Singur agitations against the Left, he has failed to connect with the people on the ground in West Bengal. He is not a mass leader like Mamata Banerjee. So, by taking Mukul Roy on board, BJP is not in a position to challenge her. She is still the way ahead of all other leaders of the state so far as the popularity graph is considered. Mamata Banerjee is the tigress of Bengal. She is connected with the people on the ground. Undoubtedly, BJP's vote share has gone up sharply in the last one or two elections but it does not mean that it poses any threat to Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal. Changing sides to wash off corruption taint is nothing but the political degeneration setting deeply in leaders and parties.