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Cohabitation in Karnataka Ploughing a tough field |
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Flight of Saras
Electoral reforms are urgent
What do the stars tell?
An interview with
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Cohabitation in Karnataka WITH the swearing in of Mr N. Dharam Singh as the new Chief Minister of Karnataka, the Congress is bound to feel elated over the final outcome of the fortnight-long suspense and hectic negotiations between the Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) to cobble up a coalition government in the state. Under a power-sharing agreement, the JD (S) leader, Mr Siddaramaiah, was sworn in as the Deputy Chief Minister. The Maharashtra model (under which the sharing of ministries between the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party is on a 50:50 basis) will be emulated in Karnataka. According to the deal, the JD (S) ministers will hold key portfolios such as finance, home, revenue, water resources and irrigation. The Assembly Speaker’s post will go to the JD (S) and that of the Deputy Speaker to the Congress. Though the Congress knew that it was on a weak wicket to demand Chief Ministership owing to its poor performance in the Assembly elections, the change of government in New Delhi has helped it to revive its fortunes. In the 224-member House, it won 65 seats as against the BJP’s 79. Consequently, former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda’s JD (S), with 58 seats, emerged as the key player in the ministry formation. The JD (S) leaders were firm on their demand for chief ministership but later relented after a meeting between Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Mr Deve Gowda in New Delhi. The new Chief Minister is no novice in politics. Mr Singh has been a minister for many years. He cannot ignore the recurring problem of drought, the high power tariff, the acute water crisis and suicide by many farmers — the main reasons that led to the Congress’ debacle. His leadership skills will be put to test in the days to come. Running a coalition government, first of its kind in the state, will be a challenging task for him. Both the Congress and the JD (S) fought a bitter election battle, but have now joined hands to keep the BJP out. A Common Minimum Programme is on the cards. It remains to be seen to what extent both the coalition partners would follow the rules of the coalition game and provide a stable government to the state which has been on the fast track. |
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Ploughing a tough field THE focus on agriculture by the new government at the Centre is welcome, but it should go beyond ministerial promises. There is a talk of doubling rural credit in three years. Not a difficult goal to achieve, but the interest burden on farmers also must come down. Farmers’ exploitation at the hands of private lenders is widely known. Arhtiyas charge hefty interest, but they are easier to access than banks and meet all sorts of needs of farmers, no questions asked. Still NABARD’s schemes like Kisan Cards and Self Help Groups have proved successful in making cheaper credit available to farmers and can be spread to more areas. Irrigation has been much neglected. The United Progressive Alliance government hopes to strengthen the existing facilities. Agriculture’s dependence on the monsoon is massive. A single drought or even deficient rain can dry up farmers’ hopes and unsettle all growth calculations of the government. Punjab farmers particularly suffer if a drought strikes as they are not entitled to Central relief because they spend heavily on irrigation. Efficiency and hard work should not go unrewarded. The new government will be under pressure to raise the minimum support prices for wheat and paddy. If it accepts the demand, more farmers would stick to the two crops, defeating diversification efforts. The Manmohan Singh government will have to balance many conflicting interests. Curbs on cheaper imports may benefit local producers and growers, but consumers will end up paying more for high-cost indigenous items like edible oils, fertilisers and sugar. The ban on cheaper imports will push up costs of the economy. The government’s subsidies bill will go up. Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar has ruled out wheat exports from the Central pool despite available surpluses. This means a higher cost of maintaining stocks. At his first press conference on Friday, Finance Minister P. Chidambaram spoke of raising resources for investing in agriculture, though he did not mention how. By imposing more taxes, one may presume. There are farmer-friendly measures which don’t cost much like speeding up land reforms, consolidate fragmented holdings, computerising land records and revitalising the cooperative movement. It is a wise decision to draw on the experience and commitment of Dr M. S. Swaminathan, who is being appointed Chairman of the Farmers Commission. |
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Flight of Saras THE successful test flight of the prototype of India’s first locally designed civilian aircraft Saras on Saturday can give a big boost to the country’s indigenisation effort. The need of such a plane cannot be overstressed. It has been in the works since 1991 but the project got stalled due to the denial of critical components following US sanctions imposed in the wake of the Pokhran nuclear tests in 1998. The 14-seater aircraft is primarily meant for civilian use but the military is also interested in it. The twin turbo-prop plane has multi-role capabilities and is ideal for executive transport, as a light package carrier, remote sensing, aerial research service, coast guard, border patrol, air ambulance and other community services. It has Canadian-made Pratt and Whitney engines but many other vital components have been designed and developed by Bangalore-based National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) in collaboration with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL). The 20-minute first flight is a milestone but only constitutes the crossing of the first hurdle. Two prototypes of Saras have to be flown for a total of 500 hours before it receives the Directorate-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) certification. The process is expected to be completed only in 2007. A lot of fine-tuning remains to be done. For one thing, the prototype is 900 kg heavier than its desired empty weight of 4,125 kg. Then there is the safety aspect as well. Indian scientists are confident that all such difficulties can be overcome, but that will depend on political support. The cost factor is another major hindrance. The price can be pared down only if the plane is manufactured in good numbers. The Indian Air Force is expected to be its first customer, inducting seven to eight Saras aircraft for training its rookie pilots at its training bases. |
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Everything is funny as long as it is happening to Somebody Else.
—Will Rogers
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Electoral reforms are urgent THE polls are over. Some win; some lose. All are accountable. Unfortunately, in the aftermath of elections not all candidates appear to render their accounts of election expenditure and fewer still take note of the returns made or not made. Not everything should be left to an exhausted Election Commission and returning officers. The parties and the public owe them a helping hand. The corrupting influence of electoral expenses and the criminalisation of politics are widely acknowledged. Expenditure ceilings are generous and, if some reports are to be believed, some candidates have been left with a profit as donations to their election chest have exceeded the expenditure incurred. This needs scrutiny as it would be a grave distortion of the poll process were it so. Should then the ceilings be reduced? Maybe, because in conformity with Parkinson’s Law, expenditure probably tends to increase in proportion to the prescribed outlay. Some candidates in any case reportedly spend far in excess of the ceiling, placing their faith on money and brawn. On this occasion, candidates were asked to submit at least three interim expense returns during the campaign. How many did so, and is this really practical? More important, how many will submit their final expense accounts (or did so after the last round of Assembly polls) and what do or will these show? Some analysis and public information of these expenditure returns would, therefore, be desirable even if on a sample and selective basis for a start. Watchfulness over pre-election misconduct is obviously necessary; but post-election probity is equally important. Alas, hitherto, nobody has bothered. There were newspaper reports that in the constituency of a Delhi candidate, Mr Vijay Goel, saris were distributed just prior to polling day. Was this investigated and, if so, was Mr Goel exonerated or found guilty? If guilty, what follows? This surely is an electoral offence that merits punishment such as disqualification from contesting any election or holding public office for the next six years. Glossing over actions because somebody has lost an election does not purge him of the charge of electoral misconduct. Only fitting punishment will stop the rot. In a like manner, the disclosure regime whereby electoral candidates have to make a declaration regarding their assets (including that of their immediate family), criminal record and educational background needs both simplification and follow up. Losing an election cannot exculpate those that file false or knowingly incomplete returns. These disclosure statements need to be copied to the tax authorities to check on whether taxes have been paid and could also serve as a benchmark for measuring further accumulation. In any event, the mode for valuing property — purchase value, current value, etc — needs review and standardisation. The process needs to be refined so that the system does in fact operate as a check on malfeasance. The case of a certain candidate not declaring an allegedly polygamous marriage in his returns and making an incorrect declaration of his wife’s name also calls for further scrutiny. The matter is apparently being prosecuted in a court of law and one must perhaps wait to hear the outcome. NGO election watch committees networked over several states have done a commendable job in educating and sensitising the electorate this time around. This effort needs to be consolidated and even merits support from the exchequer. There is no reason why a National Election Watch should not be officially recognised as an adjunct of the Central Election Commission. The United Progressive Alliance’s common minimum programme makes reference to electoral reform and state funding of elections. It is, therefore, incumbent on concerned citizens to come up with practical ideas in this regard. Some way must be found to curtail the election period, despite staggered polling for security reasons, as expenditure expands to fill the time available for canvassing. The 2004 election was over-stretched. One noticeable trend that could be reinforced is the shift from stumping the countryside and indulging in so-called yatras and road shows to campaigning through the media, especially radio and TV. This could, however, be made more purposeful if much of this could be organised as town hall meetings where both/all major candidates come together to outline their programme, debate issues and face their constituents and the media. This type of campaigning would be more effective, reach larger audiences and lend itself more readily to state funding. The opinion and exit polls were once again entertaining but all wrong. There should be a bar on the publication of the result of exit polls until after all polling is concluded wherever elections are staggered. Freedom of speech is important but freedom of the poll and the voter’s unfettered choice is no less so. There has once again been disappointment that, despite the rhetoric, no party fielded too many women candidates, let alone a third of their total slate. In consequence, fewer women have been elected and fewer still have found a place in the council of ministers. Reserved seats for women is a poor idea and rotating so-called “women’s constituencies” even worse. A better answer would be increase the membership of the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies by 15 to 30 per cent and fill this through a partial List system on the basis of proportional representation. The List could be mandated to contain a preponderance of women candidates. It would then be incumbent on parties to recruit and name more women candidates to bring up their numbers in the legislature. At the same time, parties would be able to inscribe specialists and professionals, male and female, on the List so that a larger pool of talent is available for better policy making and governance. It should also be possible to publish the electoral rolls and ID cards online within the next 10 years so that the blemish of defective rolls is soon removed. Sceptics may demur. But if EVMs have come to stay, need electronic rolls be far
behind? The writer is a former Editor of The Hindustan Times and The Indian Express. |
What do the stars tell? THE reason why man turns to astrology is rooted deeply in his existential anxieties. He seeks the shelter of certitudes in an essentially insecure, indeterminate world. Thus, to know one’s future becomes often a need of sensibility. And it is this fear of man on which the tribe of astrologers, palmists, soothsayers, crystal-gazers and Tarot-card readers feeds
ravenously. All manner of theological, philosophical and scientific discourses have been unable to end the polemics in this regard. In India, this vice is particularly rampant so much so that thousands of such persons turn to this page in the morning papers (that still carry this feature) ignoring news of wars, natural disasters or political upheavals etc. And the business of astrology thrives, and marches on from century to century. Since the Vedic times, the Hindus, in particular, have secured the services of such dubious fortune-tellers in relation to births, marriages, deaths and other solemn occasions where the anxiety to determine the auspicious day or hour becomes an obsession. Janam-patris, ancient scrolls (such as the Bhrigu Sanhita), special almanacs and sundry books are sought and read, such being the nature of the perplexed man. Some religions have repeatedly repudiated all such literature, but the caravan of fortune-tellers goes on merrily without any trouble. All scientific arguments to the contrary, astrology continues to have a deep hold on man’s mind. I’ve had a brush with this ubiquitous fraternity in my younger days. I was once told by a well-known astrologer that my hand didn’t carry the lines indicating foreign travel, or that his calculations done in obedience to the movement of stars also produced no good news. And yet I’ve been over a dozen times to European countries, to the US and Canada, among other countries. So much for these pundits who fatten on this kind of traffic. There were a couple of other occasions also, particularly concerning my health, but again all such consoling measures proved specious and hollow in the end. Take the question of marriages. I’ve known several friends, relations and neighbours to have consulted reputed astrologers before deciding the issues of marriage, its date or hour. Carefully crafted horoscopes and janam-patris have been used to “ensure” the happiness and long life of their progeny, kith and kin. But experience tells us that a substantial number of such marriages are soon on the rocks, and before even the period of honeymoon is over, thoughts of divorce begin to plague the pledged spouses. But has this made any difference to match-makers, or to their avid clients? The answer is a thundering “No”. The pundits in the trade keep working out this abracadabra, and make their own fortunes in the process. Do, what you will, thousands will continue to be duped, and yet return to such dubious practitioners again and yet again. The hocus-pocus of astrology stays for keeps. So long as men are prepared to be led up the garden path, there’ll always be charlatans around to milk you into
helplessness. |
An interview with
TELECOM conglomerate Bharti Enterprises recently joined the elite club of billion dollar companies. Its founder, Chairman and group Managing Director, Mr Sunil Bharti Mittal, has often been credited by many as being one of the principal personalities in ushering in the telecom revolution in the country. Educated at Harvard Business School and a graduate of Panjab University, Mr Mittal started his entrepreneurial career at the young age of 18. Today at 46 he heads a successful enterprise with powerful leadership brands such as Airtel. The company has a turnover of over Rs 5,000 crore and employs over 5,000 people. Chosen among the “Stars of Asia” by Businessweek, Mr Mittal, in an exclusive interview to The Tribune, spoke on a variety of issues. Excerpts: Q: Are you content with the pace and progress of the telecom revolution so far. What do you think should be the contours of the telecom services in the country in the next two-three years? We are delighted at the way the telecom sector has finally developed in this country. More attention is required in the area of consolidation. The markets need to have more access to capital and broadband has to make deeper penetration into the market. Q: Are you looking at fresh acquisitions? We are continuously open for all kinds of acquisitions but there is nothing on the anvil at the moment. Q: You have at various forums expressed your desire to quit the telecom business and enter the realm of public service. What do you have in mind? I have never said that I will quit. What I had said is that by the time I am 50 my mission in this company should be over. I am 46 now. In the next two to three years my job in this business in terms of operating leadership should be over. I would like to get a chance to build a great airport in Delhi. Q: Have you identified any successor for yourself? Succession is a long-drawn process. Your comments? The operations of the company are already segregated. There are two Presidents running two businesses — mobile and Infotel. We do the budgeting very strictly and then there is the audit committee. For governance and strategy, there are two joint managing directors and the responsibility of work is well distributed. But as one individual, nobody has been identified so far. Q: We all expected Bharti to make profits but not to the tune of Rs 619 crore and achieve a turnover of well over the Rs 5,000 crore mark. What has led to such an overwhelming growth? The credit for this should go to the entire team. It is a result of good execution, decentralised mode of operation, team work, cost-efficiency and optimal planning. Whenever an entrepreneur sets out to do some business, he can never imagine how big it can be. But, yes, we had it in our minds that we will be among one of the big companies in the country. Even in a small business like manufacturing of push-button telephones many years back, we became dominant in competition with established players such as the Tatas. Q: Where do you see Bharti positioned in the next two-three years? We have already created a premium position in the market place. We are the seventh largest company in the country in terms of market capitalisation. If one takes out the two public sector oil companies, ONGC and IOC, we are the fifth largest private sector company in the country. Our vision is now to become a globally admired telecom company and the way we want to achieve that is through expansion and by setting certain benchmarks. We are getting into seven new states and this will make us the only telecom company in India after BSNL to provide services all over India. India will have about 100 million mobile phones in two years and Bharti should be providing about 25 per cent of these phones. Presently, we are around the seven million mark. Q: When do we see Bharti being listed on international bourses? We are very keen on this front. We have been ready for quite some time now and there have been great demand for Bharti’s stock. We are waiting for the government to rework the FDI policy. Q: How hopeful are you about the raising of the FDI limit to 74 per cent in the telecom sector? Eternally hopeful. It should have been done two years back. It did go to the Cabinet three-four times, but did not go through for some reason or the other. The new minister has stated that the government is going to review the existing position. It is not true that this industry does not need funds. This industry needs a lot of funds to increase penetration. We are not saying that they raise the limit for the strategic partner. We are only saying that the companies should be allowed to raise funds from the capital markets and keep the control in Indian hands. That’s all we are saying. Q: Does the Left parties being part of the government in an indirect way worry you about the pace of economic reforms? I have been seeing West Bengal for some time now as we are one of the service providers in the state. If you look at the West Bengal economic policies, I think they are on a par with the Central policies. All that they seem to be demanding is that the labour should get a good deal and some of the public sector units such as IOC, ONGC etc should carry on in the public sector. It does not really impact our business as we are not aspiring to buy BSNL or any of these companies. Q: What about MTNL? I think MTNL would have been a nice piece to have. But the government has now decided not to divest its stake in MTNL and, therefore, we will keep on building our fixed line business in Delhi. Q: Are you happy with the progress made by your native state Punjab? My main concern about Punjab is industrial development. Having spent my childhood and most of my college days there, I feel that the small-scale sector is in trouble. That will continue to be the case with the free import of goods and lack of upgradation of technology. Electronics has been a washout. In fact Punjab was a great starter in electronics. In Mohali we had PunCom, Punwire and similar other ventures. Software and call centres have not picked up momentum as yet. The state needs to catch up in the area of business process outsourcing. The government needs to support the small-scale sector and create some new model of development. Also, Punjab has to move from an agricultural state to a food state. By simply selling raw grains to the rest of the country, the peasantry of Punjab can be reasonably well-off, but not super rich that it rightly deserves to be. The government needs to really push hard an
initiative to induce farmers, through some incentives, to move into value added products. The farmers need to convert food into packaged food such as ketchups etc and there has to be a complete change of gear with emphasis on value addition as far as Punjab agriculture is concerned. |
Establish the truth in your mind, for the truth is the image of the eternal; it portrays the immutable; it reveals the everlasting; the truth gives unto mortals the boon of immortality. — The Buddha We are heirs to all the good thoughts of the universe, if we open ourselves to them. — Swami Vivekananda If there were numberless mountains of gold and silver as big as mount Kailasha, they would not satisfy an avaricious man; for avarice is boundless like the sky. — Lord Mahavir Whaever pleases God is good and pleasant. — Guru Nanak Conscience warns us as a friend before it punishes as a judge. — Stanislaus |
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