Wednesday, February 28, 2018

BJP starts poll preparation exercise

The ruling BJP is gearing up for the 2019 electoral battle and trying to do its best to retain power. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party President Amit Shah are going to address the meeting of the Chief Ministers of the BJP-ruled states to gauge its prospects in the prevailing situation in 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Before this, the three BJP-ruled states are going to assembly polls by the end of the year. These are Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chattishgarh. BJP is ruling there. If the performance of the party in the just concluded assembly by-poll for one seat and Lok Sabha for two seats in Rajasthan are anything to go by, the party prospects in 2019 in the state appear to be bleak. The position of the BJP's Shivraj Singh govt. in MP is also not very bright and so is of Chhattisgarh. Having experienced the political position and party's popularity among the people in the BJP-ruled states, PM Modi and Shah have rightly called the meeting of its CMs to give them a pep talk. The most important thing is that the political party can hoodwink and sway the people in its favour by making big promises for once or twice, but it is almost impossible to win back their favour for the second time. To win back power, the ruling political party must deliver on the promises made during electioneering. PM Modi is certainly an eloquent speaker and there is no match for him currently in the country's political class. BJP President Amit Shah is also considered to be the master poll strategist. But it is not their first attempt. They have also been tested by the people. They certainly do tall talk but have failed to deliver on the promises made to the people during the last Lok Sabha elections in 2014. There has been no change for better on the ground. The poor have become poorer and the rich have become richer as in the previous UPA govt. The rate of unemployment is rising very fast even faster than during that of the previous UPA regime. One scam after the other has been breaking out in the current regime like in the previous one of UPA. So, no change appears to have taken place with the change of govt. in 2014. The incumbent NDA govt. is running on the same track as the previous one. Only one thing has changed. It is the way of leveling allegation. They charge the previous regime for all the ills in the country. It is baffling for the people. It is because of the ineptitude and corruption of the previous Congress-led UPA govt., people have voted the BJP to power. What is it doing for the people? This is the main question which is haunting them. PM Modi must ask his party CMs to deliver in their states in the right earnest. Either perform or perish should be the mantra of PM Modi and BJP President Amit Shah for their party Chief Ministers.

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

AAP Govt.'s shameful act

What can be expected of the government where the head of the state administration is allegedly beaten by none other than some ruling party MLAs? Delhi Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash was allegedly thrashed by some AAP MLAs in presence of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sishodia. As per govt. version, Delhi Chief Secretary was called to attend an urgent meeting at Chief Minister Kejriwal's residence at 12 PM. The time of the meeting is awkward and imperfect. Chief Secretary went to CM's residence to participate in the urgent meeting called for resolving the issue of distributing Ration Card. In contrary to Kejriwal govt.’s version, CS alleged that MLAs numbering 10 to 12 were present there and they pressurized him to issue the order for advertisement campaign on the completion of three years by AAP in government without taking into consideration the Supreme Court order in regard to issuing of advertisement by the govt. When CS refused to issue an order, two to three MLAs allegedly assaulted and gave him two to three blows on his temple. HIs spectacles fell on the ground and he anyhow rushed to his car and left for his residence. Chief Secretary has already lodged a complaint with the police and IAS and Delhi Officers’ Associations have shown solidarity with the CS and expressed strong reservation at the assault. This is not the first time that the bureaucrat has been attacked by the AAP government. Chief Secretary is the head of the state administration. When he is thrashed in the presence of CM and Deputy CM, how would the junior officers in Delhi Govt. be safe? Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is known for theatrics and dramatizing the issue. As it is a matter of serious concerns, Centre is also required to take note of the unsavoury incident at Delhi CM’s residence. There must be a thorough probe into this callous incident. CM Kejriwal was himself the Income Tax officer before joining politics. He is expected to know better than anyone that how an officer should be treated. Bureaucracy is the backbone of the govt. It is bureaucrats who make all planning, policies, projects and get them carried out in any government in a democratic system. The way Chief Secretary was assaulted allegedly by some AAP MLAs in the presence of CM and Deputy CM not only violates all norms, courtesies, decorum and disciplines but also goes against all ethics of administration. The assault on CS allegedly by some AAP MLAs is the reflection of anarchists' rule in Delhi. Delhi police must investigate the case thoroughly and whoever and howsoever powerful is found guilty of assaulting the Chief Secretary must be awarded deterrent punishment. This type of unsavoury and shameful act has been committed for the first time in the history of the country's government. Lieutenant Governor must take cognizance of the alleged assault on the Delhi Chief Secretary at CM's residence. CM Kejriwal is expert in painting any incident in a dramatic way. His govt. says the meeting was held urgently because the issue of delay in distributing Ration Card could be resolved. AAP Govt. says this to show Delhiites how serious they are for providing relief to the poor people in Delhi. CM Kejri must understand that theatrics in politics does not last long. It is exposed before the people one day or the other. Now, Delhi CM stands exposed before Delhiites. He showed dubious and anarchic character by allowing some loyalist party MLAs beat Chief Secretary at his own official residence.

Friday, February 16, 2018

Stop pilfering public money

The most serious thing behind the scam of 11,300 crores in Punjab National Bank branch of Mumbai is that neither the bank nor any Finance Ministry official ever paid attention to check it. NDA govt. says that the scam was born in 2011 under UPA, but what did it do to stop it since coming to power in 2014? PNB was defrauded of Rs. 11,300 Crore. It is four years since NDA govt. came to power, but it also did nothing to stop the bank scam. Diamond jewelry designer Nirav Modi, his uncle, and business partner Choski, wife Ami and brother were main players in the Punjab National bank scam of 280 crores. Before the scam came to light and FIR could be lodged by the PNB, Nirav Modi along with his all associates in the scam fled India. Nirav Modi is said to be very close to power. His photo was also displayed on TV news channels showing him as among the Indian Businessmen in the delegation to Davos with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The scam of this magnitude also cannot take place without the active role of bank insiders. It could also be they who tipped Nirav Modi in advance about the complaint being lodged by the bank with CBI. NDA govt. may have not any role in the Punjab National Bank scam, but was it not its responsibility to be vigilant against any malpractices of this nature in regard to financial matters. Some Shetty is reportedly working in the bank on the same desk for the last 7 years and he is said to be the instrumental and accomplice in the scam of this magnitude. The way LoUs obtained by Nirav Modi from the Punjab National Bank in a fraudulent manner may have cast the shadow of scam in more banks. The role of bank officials must be thoroughly investigated and whoever is found guilty must be awarded deterrent punishment. Besides the bank officials, the officials at Ministry of Finance must also be asked as to how the scam of this magnitude occurred right under their nose. What were they doing? Why did the Ministry of finance fail to get a scent of the scam of this magnitude in the state-run bank in advance? It is a major systematic failure of the NDA govt. at the Centre. Prime Narendra Modi's claim of being the watchman of the nation has turned out to be hollow. He failed in carrying his duty as the watchman of the wealth of the nation. The act of pilfering public money was carried out right under the nose of the govt. at the Centre. The govt. undertaking banks are required to be administered by the govt. strictly. This is not the first time that irregularities and embezzlement of Crores of rupees has taken place in the bank in connivance with its officials. During the period of demonetization, the corrupt activities of certain banks had also come to light. Bank officials and govt. authorities failed to deliver their duty. How could Nirav Modi and his associates flee the country? Why did the PMO not act in time just after a Mumbai-based Jeweler wrote to it about the murky dealings? It is a matter of great concern for the nation. The message has also gone loud and clear that Narendra Modi govt. at the Centre also failed to curb corruption. An impression has also developed among the common people that it has become the habit of Modi govt. to blame the opposition for all ails gnawing the nation and doing itself nothing. The Punjab National Bank scam has also shaken the faith of the people.

Friday, February 9, 2018

Need for reasoned debate in Parliament

Parliamentary debate and discussion must be constructive, development-oriented and people-centric. Whether it is opposition or ruling leaders, all must take care of the sanctity of Parliament. It must not be made a fish market. Unnecessary disruption, walk-outs, and chaos result in the loss of crores of public money. People send their representatives to Parliament for resolving their problems through debate and discussion and take the country forward. But what their representatives do in the Parliament is only making noises to attract the attention of the national media. Most of the precious parliamentary time is wasted in every session over the issue of no significance. Even the top leaders, including the Prime Minister Narendra Modi cannot speak without noisy protests. Noisy protests have become the way of parliamentary behaviour of its MPs. Now it is rarely heard a reasoned debate and discussion on the national or international topic in Parliament. The speech of every leader irrespective of his or political affiliation aims directly or indirectly at scoring political points. It is nothing to do with the development of the nation or the burning issue of the day. Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a blistering attack on Congress party while speaking on the Motion of Thanks to President Address to the joint session of Parliament. The opposition benches made noisy protests all through the speech of PM Modi in Lok Sabha. PM Modi also spoke in Rajya Sabha. He said while speaking on the issue of Addhar that it was for the first time in 1998 that one of the tallest leaders of BJP LK Advani had talked of a national identity card, Congress MP Renuka Chaudhury burst into laughter at his utterance. PM Made sarcastic remarks against her by pleading with the Chairman of Rajya Sabha Vice President Venkaih Naidu not to say anything to her because it is for the first time after the Ramayan Serial he heard such type of laughter. This remark of PM against Renuka Chaudhury was taken seriously by the Congress party. Congress says that comparing Renuka Chaudhury to Ravan's sister Supernekha by the BJP reflects its anti-womanhood mindset. Neither the Congress party nor the BJP should involve themselves in superfluous issues which have nothing to do with the day to day interest of the common people. This is not the first time that parliamentary time is wasted. It is the new development in recent times that business of the Parliament is hampered as a way of opposition. Today, Congress is in opposition and BJP is in government. Tomorrow, Congress may be in power and BJP in opposition, but the nature of their functioning will not change. Whichever political party is in opposition opposes the ruling benches in Parliament only for the sake of opposition. They oppose the ruling party without any sum and substance. This is a very bad trend and practice set in our political system. It hurts the interest of the people as well as the nation. Neither the Congress nor the BJP is perfect. Both have deficiencies and both lack in delivering honestly. As long as the people of this country remain uneducated and unaware, the political parties would continue to exploit them by giving new slogan in every Lok Sabha election.

Tuesday, February 6, 2018

Time is ripe to give befitting reply to Pakistan

Now enough is enough. The situation is getting worse and worse in Jammu and Kashmir. Ceasefire violations are being committed by Pakistan Army deliberately. Young army officers, Jawans and Havaldars are being killed in the ceasefire violation by Pakistani soldiers every now and then. Since Narendra Modi-led NDA govt. came to power at the Centre after massive victory in 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Pakistan escalated all acts of notoriety - terrorism, ceasefire violations and disinformation campaign- against India. It is also true that the talk is the ultimate way of resolving any problem between the two countries but the way the senseless killing of Young Indian army captain Kapil Kundu in firing by Pakistani troops on the border boils the blood of Indians. The anger of Indians against Pakistan is an all-time high. Our brave army had undertaken surgical strike by crossing the border and dismantling the terror camps in a very swift way, but it made no deterrent impact on Pak-sponsored terrorism. The terror acts and ceasefire violations have enormously increased by Pakistan. With China at its back to support, Pakistan is always emboldened with its act of terror against India. Since the inception of Pakistan by carving it out from India, it has resorted to doing mischief to upset India. Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and it will remain so. The Indian Parliament has already passed that India has to lay its claim on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. It has to be taken from Pakistan and merged it with India's Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan has so far fought four wars with India and it was badly defeated in all the four. But it is a matter of regret that it has learnt no lesson. It deserves to be given very hard blow so that it could always rankle in its mind. The killing of four our Army personnel, including 23 years old Captain Kapil Kundu must be avenged. The Army has rightly taken a vow to avenge the killing of Captain Kapil Kundu and other Jawans. Captain Kundu died but his bravery would always be remembered. The entire nation salutes the brave son of India. The Army must give Pakistan a very hard blow as soon as possible. Hatred cannot be finished with hatred, but the thorn can only be taken out by the thorn itself. It is also well known that both Pakistan and India are nuclear-powered nations. So, the full-blown war between the two countries is impossible. With China strongly and openly on its side, it will also make no hesitation in helping Pakistan against India if ever the war between the two countries broke out. But it is also no excuse that no force is applied against Pak, fearing the use of nuclear weapons. Indian Army must avenge the tragic killing of Captain Kapil Kundu and three other army personnel. Prime Minister Narendra Modi must take serious note of the developing situation in Jammu and Kashmir and increasing incidents of ceasefire violations times without number by Pakistan. NDA govt. must realize that the patience of the Army is running out very fast and it has vowed to avenge the tragic death of the young captain in ceasefire violation by Pakistan.

Monday, February 5, 2018

PM sounds poll bugle in Karnataka

Karnataka is going to elections in a few months. BJP has already set its eyes on unseating the Congress govt. of Karnataka. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the BJP's Parivartan Yatra Rally in Bengaluru yesterday and called upon the people to make the state free of Congress by defeating it in the coming assembly elections. He said that the Congress party is at the exit gate. He also said that BJP represented development while Congress means corruption, casteism, appeasement and dynastic politics. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of the Congress party in the state exudes the full confidence of retaining the power in the state. Congress had come to power in the state by defeating the BJP five years back. As far as the issue of corruption is concerned neither the Congress nor the BJP is clear of it. BJP charges Siddaramaiah govt. with corruption while it has itself projected its leader and former Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa as CM face in the coming assembly elections. It was the corruption charge against Yeddyurappa that he had to be removed by the BJP as CM at that time. Now, it appears that all charges of corruption have been washed away as he has been named as the party's Chief Ministerial candidate in the assembly elections. Karnataka assembly elections are a matter of prestige for both the Congress and the BJP. It is more important for Congress party to retain power in the state as it is the only big one where the party rules in the country at this point in time. Currently, Congress party is ruling only in four states and among them, Karnataka is only the big state. It is equally important for the BJP to win and get back power in Karnataka after five years on one hand and move ahead in its mission of making the country free of Congress i.e. Congress Mukt Bharat. Though this may prove to be an unfulfilled dream for the party if its performance as the ruling party at the Centre is anything to go by, it is certainly in upbeat mood to dethrone Congress by defeating it in assembly elections. Both Congress and BJP are in a poll mode in Karnataka. PM Modi has already addressed the Parivartan Rally. Congress President Rahul Gandhi is also going to address election meetings in the state very soon. Anti-incumbency factor may go against the Congress. BJP president Amit Shah has been camping in the state off and on for the last year itself. He is considered to be the master strategist. So, Congress is also not going to leave any possibility of winning the elections untouched. Congress Siddaraimaiah is a grass root leader. He has connectivity with the people n the state. There is no charge of corruption against him. He is the strongest leader of Congress party in Karnataka. His strong confidence is a surprise for BJP poll strategists. As far as Yeddyurappa is concerned, he is a veteran BJP leader. He is also directly connected with the people. But he needs to wash taint of corruption against him. Karnataka assembly elections are going to be fought keenly. And both Congress and BJP will certainly empty its political armoury to win elections.

Thursday, February 1, 2018

Budget reflects aspiration of New India

This is the fifth Budget of Narendra Modi Govt. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already called upon the countrymen to work for the making New India by 2022. Next year, Lok Sabha elections are also going to be held. With this in view, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in his Budget for 2018-19 has announced one thing ( Health Insurance named 'National Health Protection Scheme' of Rs. 5 lakh per poor family) which is worthy of praise. Emulating the previous govt. schemes and policies have been the hallmark of Modi govt. Like emulating ideas and schemes of previous UPA govt. to introduce them by repackaging and renaming, Modi govt. this time in his Budget for 2018-19 has emulated former US President Barack Obama's pet project named Obamacare in regards to health schemes. The Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has announced about Health Insurance of Rs. 5 lakh per family for 10 Crore poor families, which is going to be the first of this kind in the world. This is for the first time in the history of the world that the govt. has provided Health Insurance of Rs. 5 lakh per family for 10 Crore families. This is undoubtedly a path-breaking scheme in the public health sector. Bread, health, education and housing are the four most essential things, which are the primary requirements of all human beings. It is praiseworthy that on the eve of 2019 Lok Sabha elections, PM Modi's Budget focused its attention on agriculture, rural villages, health and education. The Modi govt. has to manage the challenges which have arisen due to the slowing down of the economy. The Govt. has to create jobs. The jobless growth has no meaning. The way joblessness among the youth is increasing year by year is a matter of serious concern for the govt. The budget for 2018-19 has left the personal income tax slab for salaried class untouched. The main thrust of the Budget for 2018-19 is on the health insurance of Rs. 5 lakh for each poor family in the country. Education is one of the most important sectors for any govt. for the development of the nation. PM Modi's focus is on creating New India by 2022 as India completes its 75 years of Independence. So, keeping 2022 scenario at the back of the mind, FM Jaitley has presented the Budget for 2018-19. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had a challenge to not just realize the 'New India' dream by spurring growth, but also meet expectations of millions of people and different sections of society and businesses of the country. The government will launch 'Revitalising of Infrastructure and Systems in Education' by 2022 with a total investment of Rs 1 lakh crore in next 4 years.The focus is on low-cost farming, higher Minimum Support Price of all crops shall be increased to at least 1.5 times that of the production cost. FM has said in his Budget speech that Hardwork of farmers resulted in a record production of more than 275 million tonnes of food grain and about 300 million tonnes of horticultural produce. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has proposed to raise institutional credit for agriculture to Rs 11 lakh crore for 2018-19. National Livelihood Mission allocated Rs. 5,750 cr in 2018-19. Air Pollution in Delhi NCR is a cause for concern, the special scheme will be implemented to support Govts of Haryana, Punjab, UP and Delhi NCT to address it and subsidize machinery for management of crop residue.