GCC concerns over Syrian blood-shed

Syria must take up serious and necessary reforms immediately to douse the fire of anger by

anti-regime demonstrators. The violent act by the Syrian military and police against the

agitators that have resulted in the death of more than three hundred people in the last three

months must stop.The Gulf countries have already expressed their grief and concerns over the

deadly suppression of anti-regime protests as Syrians rallied in cities across the country again

and the US advised its citizens to leave the country because of the growing unrest.

The international community must prevail on Syria taking into serious consideration of the

concerns of GCC to resolve the crisis and stop violence. Resorting to violence can not solve any

problem and no civil society in the world would ever approve it. Talks are the best way to solve

any difference between the government and its people.The Gulf bloc has expressed deep concerns

over the death toll growing day by day because of the ruthless military crackdowns on civilians

in different parts of the country. The Gulf countries also pledged to support security and

stability in Syria, but called for bringing concrete reforms as soon as possible to “protect the

rights and dignity of the Syrian people.”

The wind of reforms is blowing in some of the West-Asian countries and that has be gladly

accepted by the rulers of these countries. Otherwise, their doomsday is not faraway. The best

ruler is one who has his hands on the publse of his people and know in advance about the demand

to be made by them, and he starts towards that direction.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has rightly demanded immediate end to violence and bloodshed

in Syria and asked Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to introduce serious and necessary reforms

that would protect the rights and dignity of the people.

The GCC has rightly asked Damascus to adopt serious reforms, guaranteeing full civil rights to

the Syrian people.

The GCC consists of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE. The GCC states have been

the biggest supporters of Assad since he assumed power in 2000. They stood by Assad during the

most difficult years of 2005-2010, when Syria faced growing international isolation following the

assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri. Mr. Assad must rewind all the

co-operation he got from GCC when he was passing through difficult times. He is provided good

advice from the GCC to address the people's demand of civil rights that are being presently

supressed by his regime.

A warning to Indian economy

Whatever situation the US economy is passing through the present time clearly reflects that the recession might return there very quickly if some solid measures are not taken in time to prevent the worsening situation. Though the Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee has described the downgrading of the US government by credit rating agency as a grave situation,which needs to be analysed, it would not be wise to cover-up the lapses in economic policies adopted by us for the last 20 years.
The US’ downgrade, the S&P said, reflects its opinion that the fiscal consolidation plan which Congress and the administration recently agreed to “falls short of what, in our view, would be necessary to stabilize the government’s medium-term debt dynamics.
Other prominent credit rating agencies - Moody’s Investors Service and Fitch Ratings - have affirmed their AAA credit ratings even as President Barack Obama signed a bill that ended the debt-ceiling impasse that pushed the Treasury to the edge of default.
The blood bath in global market on Friday is a bad omen for global economy. The situation must be tackled at the earliest so that there must not be further downsliding of global market.
In an unprecedented move, Standard & Poor’s downgraded the US governments ‘AAA’ sovereign credit rating - a development which raises concerns that investors will lose confidence in its economy. This comes a day after a bloodbath was witnessed in the global markets including those in Asia.
All the developed and developing economies of the world must sit together and take a unanimous decision about the merits and demerits of economic globalisation that we all have experienced in the last 20 years or more.
One thing is also crystal clear that no developing country of the world can pursue its economy in isolation. These-days, there is no taker for closed economy. So, openness of market is a pre-requisite for any developing economy.
In india, the BSE sensex also plunged more than 700 points before recovering partially with investors selling across the board. Allaying domestic fears, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee has said that this is due to domestic factor as he rejected the charge of opposition about the back-breaking price rise of essential commodities by saying that it is due to the influence of external factors of recession. But this much logic does not hold water so far as sky-rocketing price rise is concerned.
According to the finance minister , the stock markets have fallen due to global factors like weak recovery in US and spread of debt burden in Eurozone. Current volatility is temporary.
Market regulator Sebi has also assured that there is nothing for the people to worry because our risk management system is working perfectly. All the settlements are taking place.RBI has, however, has said that India will have to learn to live with volatility in the global economy.

Rein in inflation immediately

By holding debate,discussion of high standard and debaters having academic authority on Economics belonging to both treasury and opposition benches can not give relief to the common poor people living in the far-flung villages. Though that poor section of society living in rural villages is in majority and not knowing anything about economics and its data but only feeling the bitter pinch of unbridled inflation for the last two years.
It is a matter of academic concern that price rise is an international phenomenon and in this changing economic scenario under globalisation, India can not live in isolation. So, it is natural that its economy would be affected by the economic crisis in the western and other developing countries, though it is credit for our economic managers found out ways to come out of economic downturn. But this means nothing for the poor who are facing backbreaking price rise of essential commodities and unbridled food inflation. Their relief lies only in bringing down of prices immediately, no matter what compulsion is gor government with its economic policies.
The achievement of more than eight per cent of GDP growth rate can not be an excuse of the government for rise in prices of essential commodities,which are left unchecked to break the back of the common people who constitute one-third of the population of the country. It is sheer absurdity and complete failure of economic managers to handle the situation in a balanced way.
Every country would like to have robust economic growth but at the same time the balance between the growth and inflation must be maintained. Otherwise, it would prove to be a disastrous for the democratically elected government of a nation. It is absolutely correct that the prices of petroleum products are controlled by international market. So, whenever there is a rise of their prices, we have to do so. But the government must also think that rise in prices of petroleum products has cascading impact on the prices of all essential commodities. Therefore, it is the bounden duty of a welfare state to minimise the price rise impact on the common people. Otherwise, government’s failure to curb the price rise is bound to reflect the wrath of the people against it in the elections.

Delhi CM must clarify her role

The severe indictment of Delhi Government and Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit's role in the CWG by

the Comptroller and Auditor General of India for her ill-conceived and ill-planned projects can

not be treated lightly. The CAG report points to avoidable use of very expensive material in

street-spacing and street lighting as a cause for the losses.Contracts were given at exorbitant

average costs of Rs. 4.8 crore/km and were “awarded and executed in an ad hoc and arbitrary

manner,” leading to “waste of public funds totalling Rs.101.02 crore.” It clearly reflects her

culpability.

Though the Delhi CM refused to comment on the leaked CAG report untill it is tabled in Parliament

and comes in the public domain, the mounting pressure on her is natural.CAG has also reportedly

changed her with irregularities.The report is expected to be tabled in the ongoing Parliament

session.

Delhi CM's only explanation was that whatever she did was for national interest and prestige. If

she is so concerned with the prestige and interest of the nation, why has she not made any

arrangement for sheltering the poor patients who come Delhi for expert treatment in hospitals. If

the photographs of two patients who have come to treat the deadly diseases in the nations most

prestigious hospital All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, the photographs

clearly depicts how were living in sub-human condition in roadside urinals near the it. The

credit goes to the national daily that carried the photos of the patients which speak about the

prestige of the nation and how the poor are treated by the people in power.

The Delhi Government has allegedly gulped the hundreds of crores of public exchequer in the name

of hosting CWG, and that can not be connived under the excuse of national interest and prestige.

Undoubtedly,Commonwealth Games, Delhi 2010 (CWG) were turned into a resource centre of public

money. The opposition BJP has quickly demanded the resignation of the Delhi Chief Minister Sheila

Dikshit in the wake of CAG indictment. Before the CAG, PM-appointed Shunglu Committee also points

to wheeling-dealing by Delhi CM in CWG.

Mr. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, you must hear the voice on the streets about the

burgeoning corruption is accumulating during your dispensation and the prey to these mouting

corruption is none other than the common people.

CWG Organising Committee (OC) Chairman and Congress MP Suresh Kalmadi and other officials are

already cooling their heels in Tihar Jail for their alleged involvement in swindling of hundred

of crores of rupees of public exchequer.

Economy of downturn

Despite being the largest economy of the world, US has just come out of its worst crisis of

credibility. The western economy is on fragile base and whenever pressure is put on it, it breaks

into peaces. So, it would be better for the emerging economies like China and India not to go

whole hog after western economy. It is the economy of light and colour which can not face all

weathers for a long time. The glaring example of this state of affairs of the US economy.
US has got temporary relief only after President Barack Obama signed into law a bill that

raises the nation’s borrowing limit and avoids a possible debt default after it was passed by the

Senate to avert a major economic crisis at the last moment. The urgency was such that the signing

of bill came within hours of the Senate passing the austerity plan that seeks to reduce the

deficit by USD 2.4 trillion.This gave the US Treasury Department an immediate authority to borrow

USD 400 billion. But raising the debt ceiling means a severe economic disruption has been

avoided, and the accompanying deficit reduction deal is an important step toward fiscal

consolidation.
The government had hit its debt limit of USD 14.3 trillion on 16th May and has since been

operating through spending and accounting adjustments.
The US has been the most vocal exponent of economic globalisation, which prevailed over the world

and the country which was reluctant to accept it in the beginning failed to keep itself united

due to economic crisis. The economic globalisation displayed pomp and show that attracted many

developing economies, including India and China. Before the advent of economic liberalisation in

India, its economic policies were based on Gandhian and Nehruvian and moving around socialism,

where the poorest of the poor should be benefited most through their skill and domestic

entrepreneurs.
Economic hardship is the biggest threat to the individual and the country as a whole. For the

last many years, US is passing through economic slump and the US economic managers have failed so

far to overcome it the country has been facing for the last few years. US economy is not long

lasting and has proved to be the economics of downturn.

Mobilise the people in larger numbers

Civil Society activist Anna Hazare and his 5-member team of civil society has undertaken self-initiated referendum in Chandani Chowk of Delhi- the parliamentary constituency of Telecom and HR&D Minister and member of Draft Bill on Lokpal Kapil Sibal from government side to be introduced in Lok Sabha on August 3. Overwhelming number of people about 85 percent rejected Government’s drafted Bill, favoured PM to be brought under the purview of Lokpal and approved the Janlokpal drafted by Anna and his team.

The volunteers of ‘India Against Corruption’ (IAC) visited ten localities in Chandni Chowk and distributed a two-page questionnaire having eight questions to voters in the constituency.

To undertake opinion poll and referendum on issues of public concern is the democratic right of the people and the government should have no objection to this. But it does not mean that a group of five members of civil society represent the wishes and aspiration of the people of entire nation and the government should do what they dictate it, undermining the importance of Parliament. It is absolutely impossible for any government at the Centre regardless of political affiliations in vibrant democracy like ours.

Parliament is the highest institution of democracy and the people who elect it is the real master. So, the candidate of a political party elected to the Parliament by the people represents their wishes and aspirations and none else. So, Parliament is supreme and whatever suggestion Anna and his team want to give, they can give to the Standing Committee of Parliament that to itself seek suggestions for modification in the Lokpal to be presented Parliament to gets its final approval.

Anna Hazare and his team can mobilise the people all over the country in favour of Janlokpal and Prime Minister be brought under the purview of Lokpal till the general Lok Sabha elections take place in 2014 which would decide which side the people of the country is.

Not less stormy and worthless

Monsoon Session of Parliament began with customary obituary references to the sitting and former members, who died during inter-session, of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha by the Speaker and the Chair Person respectively. After the entire House paid tribute to the departed members, the House was adjourned for the day. The tone, tenor, mood and the issues to be raised by the Opposition parties are anything to go by, this monsoon session is not going to be less stormy and the worthless than the previous budget session.
Parliament is the biggest platform in democracy. Despite being the largest democracy of the world, the Parliament is treated by the parliamentarians with disdain by turning it into the ground of accusations and counter accusations between the treasury and opposition benches and never initiate a structured and constructive debate and discussion on any burning issue facing the nation.
The previous budget session has been shortest in the recent past. There are several issues which need to be discussed sensibly and sincerely and as many as 80 bills are to be introced in Parliament this monsoon session.
The important issues are: Corruption, Black money, CWG scandal, 2G Spectrum Scam, Lokpal Bill and the most important of all that directly attack the common poor people is unbridled rise in prices of all essential commodities and edible items.
But what the representatives of the people do in Parliament to solve their immediate problems is that opposition and the ruling are only seen in scoring political points over each other by making charges and counter charges vociferously, and especially the opposition MPs compell the Speaker of Lok Sabha and Chairperson of Rajya Sabha because of indifferent treasury benches adjourn both Houses to avoid any more ugly scenes in both the Houses. Main opposition BJP and other parties on Monday forced a brief adjournment of the Rajya Sabha by creating uproar over several issues including the 2G spectrum scam. Would it be inappropriate if we name the parliamentary session adjournment session instead calling budget , monsoon and winter sessions? Because in every session, there has not been seen any productive and positive result.
We as a citizen of the country request all the honourable parliamentarians not to squander crores of public money and the invaluable time over unseemly behaviour, and doing nothing to solve the problems facing the poor people and the nation as well.