Govt bends before Mamta

The UPA government of Dr. Manmohan Singh had to put the Cabinet decision of 51 per cent FDI in multi-brand retail and 100 per cent 100 FDI in single brand on hold because of the fierce opposition by all opposition parties unitedly and intense pressure from two of its important allies- TMC of Mamta Bannerjee and DMK of Karunanidhi. But West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Bannerjee was more vocal of the two allies. She bluntly asked the Government to rollback FDI decision in retail. It is because of stern opposition of West Bengal CM that no minister from the TMC quota participated in the Cabinet meeting in which the FDI decision was taken.

Though the message has gone out about the weakness of the government due to coalition compulsion, it must be lesson to it not to take any vital policy decision without taking into all its alliance partners in confidence and the nation as well. It would not have to bite the dust if it had done wider consultation with its alliance partners and opposition parties before taking the FDI decision.

TMC had already made clear to its opposition to FDI in retail in her election manifesto that was known to Congress. The entire opposition was already against it without knowing for certain whether it was beneficial for the economy of the nation.

More than two weeks of Parliament’s precious time was wasted because the entire opposition stood firm not to run it until and unless the FDI decision of Cabinet was withdrawn. In view of the opposition within the government, Congress party and alliance partners, government dared not face the debate under the articles that entailed voting in Parliament and landed itself in embarrassing situation. Pushed back to the wall from all corners, UPA’s chief trouble shooter Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee flew to Kolkata to assuage the most important ally TMC boss and WB CM Mamta Bannerjee by assuring her that FDI decision would be put on hold until unanimity evolved on the issue in Cabinet. Mamta disclosed Mukherjee’s assurance about putting the FDI decision in retail on hold.

The nation has taken a sigh of relief the at the end of boxing between government and opposition. And in between them public exchequer worth of crores of rupees was drained down the drain by stalling the Parliament without any rhyme or reason. Important bill like Lokpal is in line to be introduced in Parliament and several other important bills and business transactions had to be carried out. When the Congress-led UPA government knew it well that it was not a single party rule and it had to take its alliance partners into confidence before taking important policy decision, it was bound to be let down by the opposition and its argument in favour of its decision failed to reach the public due to stalling of Parliament.

Government says FDI in retail is beneficial for employment, farmers, consumers and developing infrastructure in the form of cold storage to protect 40 per cent wastage of vegetables and fruits rotting. In opposition to claims, the opposition describe FDI in retail as anti-people and anti-poor. Now, the Government must call all-party meeting to evolve consensus on the issue of FDI in retail if it is advantageous of the economy of the nation. Opposition parties are also required to play constructive and positive role.

China is posing as big brother

China has always been posing itself as big brother in Asia. It also tries to impose its way in the region on the basis of its large status in every field. It treats India as its rival because of its fast development and economic growth.

India’s progress and emergence on the international stage is an eye-sore to China. But India in all realities does not challenge China unless and until it is deliberately poked and provoked. From the very beginning, China has been instigating India’s neighbour to create problem with it so that its fast development and progress could face trouble. It instigates Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar against India by creating the impression among them that it is trying to establish its hegemony and behave like big brother in the region.

It is China's strategy to antagonize the neighbours of India against it. China is helping India’s traditional hostile neighbour Pakistan with military training and weapons. China has provided n-tech and has recently been reported that over Chinese 4000 military personnel have been deputed in Pakistan in the name of help building its infrastructural development in different fields.

China has itself committed border violation with India, and to make the matter worse it puts its claims on territory in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim time to time. This is really a cause of concern for India. India has a border dispute with China. India always desires to solve border dispute with China amicably. But China has altogether a different design of over lordship on India. That is impossible and China also must not be in any illusion that it can re-enact 1962 war with India in the given scenario.

On the invitation of Viatnam, India has sent its contingent of personnel for oil exploration in South China Sea. This has taken by China as serious matter because it has not good neighbourly relation with it. It has lodged its displeasure with India at Bali Asean summit in Indonesia.

So, China deserves to be treated on equal footing. India too should befriend China’s neighbours considered to be displeased with it because of its high-handed behaviour. India is committed to peace and amity and forging friendship with all its neighbours but if its ego is hurt without any rhyme or reason, it must retaliate in the same measure either diplomatically or through expression in words.

In which capacity Chinese consulate asked India to ensure the Governor and Chief Minister West Bengal not to attend the function in which Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama was to deliver his speech. Why India would cancel the Buddhist congregation in New Delhi on the desire of China. India has given asylum to Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama. He is free here for his spiritual activities. India has neither instigated him ever to promote anti-china activity nor have ever urged China to free Tibet, which has been kept under Chinese control on the ground of its military strength. It is the use of force against the Tibetans for the liberation of Tibet that forced Dalai Lama to cross over to India and seek asylum in 1959. India has done right by rebuffing China and going ahead with Buddhist congregation.

No rationale behind stalemate

Why the most important business of Parliament should be wasted because of the opposition to the govt. move to allow 51 per cent FDI in multi-brand retail and 100 per cent in single brand retail. If the opposition parties together oppose FDI in retail, they have every right to move the motion against it and put it to voting. Should the Dr. Manmohan Singh fails to get the support of MPs require to run the govt., it will automatically fall. There will be mid-term poll on the issue and the ultimate master, the people, will be the final arbiter whether FDI is wrong or right. The nation can not develop in isolation. Despite opposition to economic liberalization in Europe and America, they have not spurned it. India is comparatively new entrant on the stage of economic reforms. It can not roll back mid-day. It has to take it to its logical end.

There is no sense in holding the Parliament to ransom since the winter session began last week. Today’s opposition will be tomorrow’s treasury bench and if it becomes the tradition in Parliamentary democracy, it is very difficult to run Parliament because of opposition to certain government’s decision. Finally, the democracy will be in jeopardy.

Dr. Manmohan Singh-led UPA govt. says that the 51 per cent FDI in multi-brand retail will benefit farmers, consumers, generate one crore jobs and help build infrastructure like cold storage and agricultural research. It will also give birth to competition. FDI in multi-brand has not been allowed without conditions. Super market giants like Wal-Mart, Tesco and Carefour can only open their multi-brand retail outlets in the city of above 10 lakh population. They will also have to take permission from the state governments to open their outlets. They will also have to purchase 30 per cent goods from domestic market. There are several states run by opposition parties who are opposed to FDI in retail. Presently, there are 53 cities of above 10 lakh population. 28 out of 53 cities are in the states ruled by opposition parties. It means even if Wal-Mart, Tesco and Carrefour are allowed to open their outlets, they can open in only 25 cities of the country. Opposition says that with the coming of multi-brand retail giants of the world in our country, they will destroy our 4 crore small retail shops as they will not stand up to them in competition. But one thing is to be considered seriously that when computer was introduced in our country, was there no opposition? At that time also, it was apprehended by the opposition camp that it would render crores of people jobless. That did not happen and on contrary to apprehension of job loss, it increased the job many-fold. There is no doubt that the livelihood of 20 crore people is dependent on our small retail shops. They will continue to run as usual. Here are malls and Reliance retail outlets and just in front of them, there are small tea shops at roadside, green grocer and small fruit vendors who are running their business comfortably.

So, if the Parliament was allowed to run and a thoughtful and reasoned debate would have taken place from opposition as well as treasury benches, the people would have been benefited much. They would have understood better as to which side has given the sound reasoning in support or against the FDI in retail. There is no sense in stalling the Parliament.

An unintended tragedy

The NATO has tendered its apology to Pakistan for the incident in which 25 Pakistani soldiers were killed in an US air attack on Pak military post in the adjoining hilly terrain of Afghanistan border. They have also described the incident as unintended. This is not the first time that the Pakistani soldiers have been killed in the hard terrain close to Afghan border in US air attack. The Nato fighter plans are in pursuit of militants and Taliban in Afghanistan and during this exercise they cross border while chasing them. So, this incident should be treated as normal and unintended

Insurgents and Taliban find the hilly terrain in the border areas of Afghanistan and Pakistan a safe haven. They even operate from there against Afghanistan and multi-national forces. The killing of Pakistani soldiers is a case of mistaken identity. And Pakistan has to realize that. At the same, Pakistan also can not deny that the Taliban from Afghanistan have not taken shelter there after the killing of world’s most wanted and dreaded terrorist Osama bin Laden by the US military personnel in Abbotabad near Karachi. Though NATO fighter planes must not undertake cross-border attack as this act also leads to the violation of the sovereignty of an independent nation, the military exercise operating in the neighborhood might inadvertently be misdirected mistakenly.

Neighbours must show co-operation in military exercise against insurgents, militants and Taliban because they are the enemy of not only a particular nation but also of the entire humanity. Terror is a threat to entire world.

As far as the killing of Pakistani soldiers in US strike is concerned, it must be ignored because apology has already been tendered and it is also clear from the location of the spot of the incident that it was done inadvertently.

Pakistan has not the guts to dare the US. If the US stopped giving adequate financial package, which it gives from time to time, it would be forced to face acute financial crisis beyond imagination. Because Pakistan never used the US aid to the purpose it was given. It diverted the money only to strengthen its military might. It never used US money for industrialization and other developmental projects. That is why it remained dependent on the US for financial assistance.

China has also come closer to Pakistan but when the question of financial needs arise in Pak ,only the US can do the job. China can only provide Pakistan nuclear technology in making nuclear weapons on large scale to scare India. So US has been the savior of Pakistan. It can not be challenged in reality.

US military has its base in Pakistan since September 2010. The area along Afghan-Pakistan is terror zone of the south Asia region. So, it is necessary to clear the area of terrorists. But it can not be possible without Pakistan agreeing to the entry of foreign military fighter planes for fighting terror elements to finish. It must be done with utmost care and it must ensure that there is no civilian casualty in the area. Pakistan should forgive the US for undertaking air strike in its territory inadvertently.

FDI in multi-brand retail is beneficial economically

The winter session of Parliament has been held to ransom by opposition parties over their opposition to Cabinet nod of allowing 51 per cent FDI in multi-brand retail and 100 per cent in single brand retail. It is also opposed by ruling UPA’s own allies- Trinamool Congress and DMK. Entire opposition stands united against the FDI in retail.

The main opposition BJP-ruled state governments have already made it clear that they would not allow super market giants like Wal-Mart, Thesco, Carrefour and others to open their multi-brand retail stores in their states. West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamta Bannerjee has also opposed the FDI. TMC is one of the most important allies of the UPA government. DMK which also happens to be the important southern ally of UPA has also opposed it.

Chief Ministers of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chatthisgarh, Karnataka, Uttarakhand have strongly opposed the FDI in retail. Like almost all the previous sessions of Parliament, the ongoing winter session is being wasted without any debate and discussion. The parliamentary session is already shrinking.

The repeated chaos and stalling of Parliament cost national exchequer crores of rupees. This is a sheer wasteful expenditure due to the inept handling of parliamentary business by ruling UPA and rigidity of opposition parties. It reflects the undermining of the highest constitutional institution in democracy.

If the Dr. Manmohan Singh Cabinet gave its approval to 51 per cent FDI in multi-brand retail, there must be first open debate and discussion about its merit and demerit in Parliament rather than holding it to ransom to show opposition. It is not in the best interest of the people. UPA govt. says FDI in retail would provide one crore employment and would be beneficial for farmers as they would get opportunity to sell their produce to multi-brand retailer without any agent or mediator. With the coming of multi-national giants in retail like Wal-Mart, the prices would come down and give birth to competition. It would provide a win-win situation for customers. All these positives have been put forward by the UPA Government. Whether these plus points of FDI in retail stand to reason or not can only be clarified by a wide and good reasoned debate threadbare in Parliament in the interest of the people.

Undoubtedly, Dr Manmohan Singh govt. is under pressure and its confidence level is at the lowest ebb because of its utter failure in checking price rise and taking action on its own, which could reflect that it is serious to fight out corruption. It has failed to send the message out among the people that it is committed to check prices and corruption. People are getting disillusioned.

But this does not mean that all the steps taken by it must be opposed without putting its merit and demerits to reason through debate and discussion in the highest forum for the purpose in democracy. Government has bigger responsibility to ensure the smooth running of Parliament. But at the same time, opposition parties should also be considerate and co-operative.

Govt. says that it is ready to discuss any issue, and charges the opposition for stalling Parliament for the sake of political advantage at the cost of the interest of the people. While the Opposition says that the govt. has some malafide intention to allow 51 per cent FDI in multi-brand retail. It is true that the main opposition BJP fears that FDI in retail would hit their vote bank hard as it has stronghold on domestic small retailers and business communities. It sees its political advantage and disadvantage.

All issues required to be put to discussion in Parliament. These days, the habit of stalling Parliament instead of being co-operative in running it is lacking in every political party. It is a bad omen for the democracy of the nation.

Economic Reforms agenda set in motion

By allowing 51 percent Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail and 100 percent in single brand, Dr. Manmohan Singh has tried to show that there is no drift in the government nor is there any policy paralysis. It was experienced by the corporate that the UPA-II was no longer serious about the economic reforms process in its second incarnation.

UPA-II Government's commitment to economic reforms seemed to be wavering and message spread out loud and clear that there was serious drift in the government as its economic reforms spree so far yielded no desired results. And the gap between the poor and the rich widened. The Government had not been able to rein in rising prices of essential commodities and growing corruption. The middle class became disillusioned with the government because of its slow economic reforms process, failure to check price rise and corruption.

To change the prevailing disenchantment of the people with the government, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh mustered courage and gave Cabinet approval of 51% FDI multi-brand retail and 100% in single brand despite some opposition from its own alliance partners like TMC and DMK.

There is no doubt that there will be investment in the country on large scale from the super market giants like Wall mart, Thesco, Carrefour and others with their entry in India to open multi-brand retail stores. But the Government must ensure that our domestic kirana (Retail) shops must not be destroyed with the opening of giant multinational multi-brand retailers, because after agriculture, domestic small retail shops provide the largest number of employment and contribute 7 to 8 percent to our GDP.

With the opening of foreign multi-brand retail stores in India, they would open Employment Avenue for crores of unemployed, provide domestic, food and other items with the freedom of pick and chose according to the choice of consumers. If the nation gets benefit, why they are to be opposed. Farmers will be benefited because they would get opportunity of talking directly with the officials of multi-brand foreign retail stores to determine the price of their produce. There would neither be any haggling nor any mediator and because of these two factors, the farmers would no longer be getting pittance of the price of their produce. Multi-brand retail shops of multinational super market giant can open in the city of more than 10 million of population.

Though in Europe and other western countries, there has been massive agitation against economic liberalization because of economic recession there for the last several years. They have not been able to overcome the economic slowdown. Despite that , they have not spurned economic reform process. China, Indonesia, Thailand and Brazil have already allowed FDI in retail sector and they have been benefited. Entry of FDI is giving good result by providing employment and satisfying consumers.

United Opposition must mount pressure

When the ruling UPA has failed completely in checking food inflation and price rise of all essential commodities in two years, Opposition parties have been left with no option but to paralyze the Parliament to bring its attention towards bringing down the prices.

There have been debate and discussions under the provisions, which entail no voting, but no solution came out of them. UPA-II government kept assuring the entire opposition as well as the nation since it came to power in 2009 that it would bring down inflation in two to three months. This kind of promise was made umpteen times but instead of bringing down prices, the Government has played contributory role in rising them in the form of lethargy, insensitivity to people’s concerns, callous negligence, inaction and faulty economic policy.

With the fast devaluation of rupees against dollar, the price rise is bound to go up and up. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh is a world renowned economist. Naturally, it is expected that he would also be well-versed in Indian economy. Not only Prime Minister, Finance Minister is himself an economist of repute and a veteran politician with his feet on the ground and the Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia is also an economist but the performance of the government on the front of price rise is a total failure and on this count it does not deserve to be in power any more.

Why there should not be adjournment motion on the issue of price rise under the rule which entails voting. Where is the question of secular and communal divide on the issue of price rise and corruption? Food inflation has hit the poor people hard irrespective of caste, creed and community. If the communist party has moved motion on price rise in Parliament, why should BJP not support it? If the BJP moves motion on corruption, why should left not support it? It is the tactics of the UPA government to create ideological division to hide its utter failure.

The poor people in rural villages and cities are crying in pain caused by the unbridled price rise. It appears in the current situation as if there were no government at the Centre. Dr. Manmohan Singh has lost the authority to rule the country. Either Prime Minister has no control on his government or his economic policy is totally misfit with the economy of the country. Market friendly economic policy is bound to fail in India.

The situation in the country due to sky-rocketing price of all commodities has come to such a stage as may force people to come out on streets against Dr. Manmohan Singh-led UPA government. The price rise has hit the people so hard that even the impassioned appeal of Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi MP to the people of UP in coming assembly elections to vote for Congress is bound to make no impact due to the utter failure of Congress-led Dr. Manmohan Singh government on price rise front.

The entire opposition across ideology must stand united and compel the UPA-II to debate and discuss the price rise issue under the provision which entails voting. As the issue touches all sections of society, even some of the Congress MPs might go against the government. Opposition must not allow themselves to be blackmailed by the Government version that if it fell in Lok Sabha due to voting, mid-term election would be forced on the nation. Heaven would not fall if the mid term election takes place. Instead, people would take a sigh of relief from the total mismanagement of economic affairs by the UPA-II government.