The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Maoists — enemy within
There is no scope for complacency

While the Maoists have always had a long-term road map, governments and civil society have traditionally taken a limited view of the threat. Union Home Secretary G.K. Pillai , therefore, startled his audience at the Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses in New Delhi last week when he referred to the Maoist ambition of overthrowing the state by the year 2050. It is actually refreshing to find this UPA government pulling no punches and calling the Maoists a serious threat to the state. Like the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister earlier, Mr Pillai too admitted that it would take the government seven to eight years to regain control over the areas lost to the Maoists. He also paid compliments to the enemy within when he acknowledged that the Maoists were acting like a well-trained army. The post-mortem and the analyses they do after every attack, he said, were as good as what would be done by the armed forces of any country. The Home Secretary has also confirmed what has been known for some time, that the Maoists seem to be receiving training from former Army men or people who have been with the Army. The joint operations against the Maoists, he asserted, had failed to hit even 5 per cent of the hardcore militants. “The real armed cadres are yet to come out,” he added ominously.

Mr Pillai’s candour underscores the urgency for the state to fight the Maoists politically. The rebels gained strength due to the poor administration, corruption and inefficiencies in public offices and because of the injustices meted out daily to the poor and the marginalised in our society.

Essentially, a war on poverty and a war against corruption and injustice can be reasonably expected to take away steam from the Maoists, who, as the Union Home Minister keeps reminding us, are our own people. While their violent methods, kangaroo courts and summary justice need to be resisted, their motivation and circumstances also need to be understood. Then only can they be isolated and talks initiated with the more level-headed among them.

“News” paid for
Press Council should be given teeth

It is heartening that the Centre is seriously considering enhancing the powers of the Press Council of India which, under the provisions of the Act which constituted it, is a toothless body with powers only to “warn, admonish or censure the newspaper, the news agency, the editor or the journalist”. Successive governments have lent a deaf ear to the Press Council’s demand for enhancement of powers with the result that journalistic ethics and norms are being violated with impunity and the “black sheep” among newspapers and journalists are growing in number. So ineffective is the current position of the Press Council that many newspapers do not even publish the findings of the council in specific cases, especially when they concern that particular newspaper. Consequently, accountability is at a loose end.

It is just as well that the pernicious practice of “paid news” has generated a debate within and outside the journalistic community. It first emerged through a complaint made to the Press Council that in the last Andhra elections owners and editors of dailies in the state accepted money from political parties and individual candidates for coverage during the elections. This was followed by revelations that in the Maharashtra elections, Chief Minister Ashok Chavan spent just Rs11,000 on paid advertising but he received coverage worth much more in two leading Marathi dailies through paid ads masquerading as newspaper reports. With Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ambika Soni acknowledging in reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha on Friday that there was “strong circumstantial evidence of the malpractices,” the stage is set for action to stem the rot.

It is to be hoped that Ms Soni will act on her statement that her ministry proposes to enhance the powers of the Press Council in view of growing complaints about “paid news”. The council sub-committee on the issue is expected to submit its report by this month-end after which the government must act swiftly and decisively. The Editors Guild of India has already condemned the abhorrent practice. Adequate powers need to be vested in the Press Council to punish those who are subverting Press freedom and ethics and thereby democracy by such an abhorrent practice as “paid news”. The council on its part must exercise those powers with due diligence.

Thought for the Day

The world is full of fools, and he who would not see it should live alone and smash his mirror. — Anonymous

ARTICLE

Efforts for better Indo-Pak ties
Civil society on both sides can help
by Kuldip Nayar

It is unfortunate that Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor hijacked a successful trip by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Riyadh. Mr Tharoor’s remark that Riyadh could be an interlocutor for talks between New Delhi and Islamabad from the soil of Saudi Arabia itself was indeed embarrassing.

It can be conceded that Mr Tharoor is indiscreet and does not yet know the ropes of diplomacy or politics. But I suspect that his observation was not off his own bat. Somewhere, somehow he got the impression that the Prime Minister would go along with him. True, an interlocutor is not a mediator. But he participates in talks.

Mr Tharoor’s remark may well have been a trial balloon. Apparently, it did not work due to a strong reaction against it in the country. India’s enunciated policy after the Shimla Conference in 1972 has been to talk to Pakistan without involving a third party. Was there a rethinking? Whatever the import of Mr Tharoor’s observation, it gives oxygen to the dead dialogue between the Foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan.

Islamabad’s reaction to Mr Tharoor’s remark was on the expected lines: it is ready for talks without conditions. This throws light on the talks held recently in Delhi. It means that Pakistan Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir found himself constricted in talks. No doubt, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao made it clear to Mr Salman Bashir that the talks would be confined to terrorism. But Mr Bashir touched all points, including Kashmir and water, although not at great length. Yet the whole dialogue was cursory as if the two sides had to go over an exercise.

The talks must have been a formality because a few hours later both Foreign Secretaries were found sitting separately, engaged in an animated discussion, at the Pakistan House in Delhi for dinner. There was no recrimination, no rhetoric, no raising of voice. They talked about confidence-building measures and conciliation. Both Foreign Secretaries were a picture of understanding.

This is how the two sides behave when they are relaxed and normal and when they have no agenda to sell, no government message to convey, no gaze of publicity, no anxiety to say what will go down well back home. In fact, the Indians and the Pakistanis are the best of friends when they are not talking at each other.

However, the talks which were resumed even after one and a half years show that both countries are prisoners of mistrust and hostility. The reason why the two remain distant is their inability to overcome prejudice and bias that they have nourished against each other for decades. True, India refused to have the “composite talks” which were broken in the wake of the terrorists’ attack at Mumbai. But was the use of that particular phrase necessary? It only underscores the point that they cannot get out of the corner in which they have painted themselves.

However, both looked like having an understanding that they would conclude the meeting at the stage of talks, without in any way breaking or suspending them. The two Foreign Secretaries did not know what political masters contemplated for the future. Still, had the Foreign Secretaries fixed the date for the next meeting at Islamabad, the people on both sides would have taken a positive view of the talks.

How far Mr Bashir could go was known to him because before arriving in Delhi, he had met President Asif Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and the army high-ups. Mr Bashir was surprised by India’s allegation of involvement by the two Pakistan serving majors in the 26/11 carnage as was Ms Nirupama Rao by the charge that New Delhi was involved in Balochistan.

The arrest of Hafiz Sayeed, the Laskhar-e-Toiba chief, is New Delhi’s criterion to judge Pakistan’s “sincerity” in fighting terrorists who are reportedly operating in India. His latest ultimatum of war to India irritates New Delhi. It concedes that the law courts in Pakistan are independent but wonders why he is free to indulge in war cries against a neighbouring country.

What may have made Mr Bashir, otherwise suave and soft-spoken, lose his cool at the Press conference was the strong message that National Security Adviser Shiv Shankar Menon gave him. Mr Menon reportedly minced no words in accusing Pakistan of sending terrorists to India as part of Islamabad’s state policy. He repeated many a time that he was the Prime Minister’s adviser.

Since the meeting with Mr Menon was before the Press conference, Mr Bashir did not maintain the equanimity which he showed during the talks with Ms Nirupama Rao. Mr Bashir used words like “Don’t lecture us” which were probably meant for Mr Menon. Yet Mr Bashir’s observation that India’s dossier against Sayeed was a “literature” was indiscreet. Mr Bashir was quiet when he met the National Security Adviser. Was Mr Menon conveying the mind of New Delhi? I have my doubts because Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is considered a dove. He reiterated at Riyadh that he was willing to go an extra mile to make up with Pakistan.

Since the Manmohan Singh government is increasingly on the defensive because of the abnormal price rise and inflation, I do not think that it is in no position to take any bold initiative on Pakistan. The Opposition, led by the BJP, has created an atmosphere where it is difficult for New Delhi to break the status quo, either on Pakistan or Kashmir. This should not surprise either Islamabad, which is prepared for a long haul, or Washington which is more focused on Kabul and Islamabad than New Delhi.

The silver lining is Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s reiteration that there was no option to talks and that the two countries must come to an agreement to live like good neighbours. During the last 62 years since Independence both countries have trodden the same path again and again, knowing well that it reaches nowhere. Maybe, both have no fresh ideas to pursue. Maybe, both have come round to accept their inability to solve the problems which confront them. For example, were they to pick up courage, do they have a solution on Kashmir?

Perhaps, civil society on both sides can help. Some persons who have been working for an improvement in the relations between India and Pakistan for years can meet to pick each other’s brain to see if they have some new ideas on which they agree. The proposals made by them may change the situation which remains frozen in helplessness.

The governments on both sides would find it difficult to reject the suggestions if they have the unanimous backing. If these persons fail to arrive at a consensus they would put a question mark against their like-mindedness. They would probably prove to both New Delhi and Islamabad that there was no go from a wider people-to-people contact to remove the mistrust which has got ingrained because of acts of omission and commission of the two governments. Ultimately, the pressure of the public on both sides will make the governments relent. Are the persons committed to rapprochement between India and Pakistan ready to go through fire and water to prove their credentials?

MIDDLE

Striking it rich
by S. Raghunath

Last evening I was sitting glued to the TV intently watching the dapper Prannoy Roy deftly shepherding his flock of experts through the intricacies of the Union Budget when the telephone rang. It was my “Accountant” and “Tax Consultant” calling.

By Accountant, I mean he occasionally totes up my IOUs and calculates the petty amounts I owe to sundry creditors and as my Tax Consultants, he occasionally goes down to the municipal corporation offices, sits down with a daily-rated case worker in the revenue section and haggles endlessly over a disputed dog licence fee demanding the matter be referred to tripartite adjudication.

“You’re on the verge of coming into a colossal fortune,” he cried excitedly, “the Finance Minister, in his speech to Parliament, is announcing a series of reliefs and concessions to the salaried middle class and he has raised the slab for standard rate of deduction for income tax from Rs 18,000 to Rs 18,000.05. I’ve been doing some quick calculations and I find that you’re entitled to an almost immediate refund of 25 paise. Congratulations!”

I stifled a bored yawn. Coming into a whopping fortune of 25 paise made me feel rather “deja vu”, but then we multimillionaire plutocrats have to wear the mask. It was going to be business as usual for me.

I talked to my teenage son. “I know that you’ve set your heart on buying that 1905-model Rolls Royce-Bentley vintage car and now that the income tax people will be sending me a refund cheque for 25 paise, you can contact your dealer friend in London and close the deal, but mind you, don’t go bidding above Rs 50 crore. I know you spoiled sons of multibillionaires!”

I then talked to my wife. “I vaguely remember you telling me that you were rather keen to buy Elizabeth Taylor’s diamond-studded tiara and her entire gold jewellery collection. Now that the Finance Minister has presented a soft, pro-people budget and I stand to gain a stupendous 25 paise, I’ll be delighted to buy them for you as a birthday gift. You can wire Liz Taylor’s agent in Geneva and find out if she’s still interested to sell her jewellery collection, but keep an eye on the bottom line. I know something happens to you women when you want to buy jewellery!”

I sent a hotline e-mail to my Dalal Street broker. “Buy controlling 51 per cent interest in Reliance Industries, Larsen and Toubro and Infosys. I shall pay for my stock purchases in cash!”

The telephone rang again and it was my Accountant and Tax Consultant. “A news flash has just come in on the ticker,” he said, “and the Finance Minister has announced more reliefs and concessions and I find that you’re, in fact, entitled to a refund of 30 paise!”

Oh, in that case I think I’ll buy up the Sultan of Brunei’s luxury yacht, after all.

OPED

Empowering women
Celebrate the past, plan for future
by Indu Swami

The International Women's Day (IWD) is a major day of global celebration for the economic, political and social achievements of women. It is celebrated on March 8 every year by women's groups around the world. Organisations, governments and women's groups choose different themes each year that reflect global and local gender issues.

Some years have seen global IWD themes honoured around the world, while in other years groups have preferred to 'localise' their own themes to make them more specific and relevant. The first IWD was in 1911, so just next year i.e. 2011 will see the IWD global centenary.

In India the International Women's Day is all about celebrating a woman and paying tribute to the multi-roles she plays in life. This important day provides an opportunity to celebrate the progress made to advance women's rights and to assess the challenges that remain.

IWD encourages us to consider steps to bring about equality for women and girls in all their diversity and to celebrate the collective power of women past, present and future.

One can see a lot of celebrations going on this day. It is observed as an occasion for men to express their sympathy, love and honour to women around them or in their lives… mom, sis, wife, girlfriend, colleagues, etc. by presenting flowers and small gifts. This portrays the power of women in the modern era and how vital their role is in society.

But what does the International Women's Day mean for millions of girls in India, who cannot attend or finish school because they have to graze cattle, labour in the house or the fields, or are sexually harassed and humiliated by their teachers/principals?

According to the last census held in 2001, the percentage of female literacy in the country is 54.16 per cent. If we analyse the state-wise percentage of female literacy, the minimum percentage is in Bihar (33.57) followed by Jharkhand (39.38) and Jammu and Kashmir (41.82).

The conventional view of illiteracy is that it is closely linked to poverty. While that is certainly true, there are numerous other factors responsible for the low levels of literacy, especially among females, and it is only by understanding the impact of these other factors that significant – and meaningful – increases in illiteracy can be achieved.

The significance of the International Women's Day lies in our reaffirmation to improve the condition of women, especially those at the margins of our society and empower them to take their rightful place in the society. Despite existing policies women are still socially disadvantaged section of our society. Even within the family they suffer the discrimination.

There is a growing trend of crime against women. Domestic violence is the most prevalent form of discrimination against women. About 45 per cent of Indian women are slapped, kicked or beaten by their husbands. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), the entire scenario is rather scary: one crime against women in every 3 minutes, one rape in every 29 minutes, one dowry death in every 77 minutes, one case of cruelty by husband and relatives in every 9 minutes and one suicide in every 240 minutes.

Finally, the knight in shining armour for the Indian woman has arrived in the form of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005. The highlighting point of this Act is that it not only provides protection to women who are legally married but also those who are in live-in relationship, women who are sisters, widows or mothers.

The new law also addresses sexual abuse of children, or forcing girls to marry against their wishes as well. This certainly proves that the new Act has been formed keeping the current relationship culture in India and irregularities in the previous domestic violence laws, in mind.

The new law provides an all-encompassing definition of domestic violence, including not only physical violence by the husband or sexual violence like forced intercourse, but also verbal or emotional violence such as insulting the wife or preventing her from taking up a job, and even economic violence such as not allowing the wife to use her salary.

The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has decided to strengthen the legal provisions for the protection of women. The government has proposed the Jammu and Kashmir Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2010. The main feature of the proposed Act is the appointment of protection officers in each district of the state.

These functionaries, as far as possible, will be women. They will assist the sufferers in getting justice from making a report to a magistrate on the receipt of a complaint to arranging legal aid, medical assistance and shelter homes. From the available details it seems that there is an effective scheme to ensure that women are not deprived of their assets by their tormentors.

Female infanticide is also not uncommon in Indian society where girl child was poisoned to death soon after her birth, and the practice is still prevalent in certain parts of the country. With the advancement of modern technology its practice, however, has taken a different shape. Now it is possible to detect the sex of the baby when it is still in the womb of the mother. This has made it possible to abort the female foetus, if it is unwanted.

Publicity campaigns by some ultrasound clinics in Punjab saying "Spend Rs 500 now and save Rs 5 lakh later" demonstrate this theory. Although the Central Government enacted the Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1994, and it came into force on 1 January, 1996, it has largely remained on paper. Despite this Act being around for over five years, foeticide has continued rampantly in many states.

The 2001 census figures pertaining to the sex ratio of the 0-6 year population bear adequate testimony. While the problem of population explosion is constantly posing a threat to the country's prospect of development, the declining sex ratio has become another upcoming threat. The implications of adverse sex ratio would be multi- dimensional, affecting all facets of life.

By far the most serious tragedies that occur like dowry deaths, suicide, and impoverishment of widows arise out of women's failure to use legal safeguards and redress provisions with reference to marriage, divorce, dowry and property. Their general inability to use the law is further aggravated in situations in which they have to fight the husband or father. In the role allocation within Indian culture, these are the persons upon whom women normally depend to handle court matters.

So make a difference, think globally and act locally! If this is skillfully done, the women's movement could be lifted from its current status as a feminist issue to the status of a much larger issue of human rights. Make everyday a women's day. Do your bit to ensure that the future for women and girls is bright, equal, safe and rewarding.

Reforming primary education
by N K Singh

Reforming the ramshackle education sector, especially the primary and secondary segments, was the talking point of the UPA Part-1 and now Part-2 also. Despite the tall claims made by Union Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal about a complete makeover of the education sector, it appears to be a perfect case of widening gap between rhetoric and reality on the ground.

Along with a dismal utilisation of less than half (45%) of the total education funds given by the Centre , many states failed miserably to utilise these funds. Bihar remained at the lowest rung with 58%of the funds remaining unutilised. It was followed by Jharkhand (46%), Madhya Pradesh (43%) against the 95% , 93% and 74% utilisation of funds by Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Karnataka, respectively.

Ever since the UPA flagship primary school programme, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan(SSA), was launched in 2001, the central government’s expenditure on primary education has increased significantly, but under-utilisation of funds remained a big issue . A look at the dismal condition of primary education makes it imperative that funds provided under SSA be properly utilised.

—Half of India’s 5-6-year-olds are not enrolled in any school

—Over 40% of rural children studying in class V in India are at least three grade levels behind.

—Children’s attendance in schools varies considerably across the states .... In Bihar, the attendance in the schools is less than 60% (lowest among all states) while in southern states it is over 90%

—According to the 7th All India Educational Survey, only 53 per cent habitations had primary school facilities.

As per the data, the Centre’s allocation for education in the financial years (FY) 2009-10 – Rs 44,528 crore has increased four-fold from 2001-02. Surprisingly, the HRD Ministry failed to utilise 45% of funds provided in different sectors in 2009-10.

The allocation for SSA in 2009-10 was Rs 13,100 crore or 30% of total education budget. During FY 2008-09, 30 per cent of the funds remained unspent. Besides, yawning disparities existed in various state governments’ ability to spend funds For example, Bihar could not utilise 58% and Jharkhand – 46 % and MP 43%.

As per the demand of the HRD Minister, the implementation of the ambitious Right to Education aimed at free education to the children between 5 and 14 years would require a whopping Rs 1.71 lakh crore for the next five years.

The Ministry of Human Resource Development has sought Rs 40,000 crore in the coming Budget. Given the fiscal constraints, it is highly unlikely that Sibal would get that kind of fund and most of the burden could be passed on to the next Five Year Plan

Primary education being the focal point for the upcoming budget, secondary education is likely to take a back seat. Hence, the government’s Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) with Rs 1,354 crore corpus in 2009-10 could be lacking right budgetary impetus this year.

A large concern is that the batch of children coming out of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan may find it difficult to enroll in secondary schools. Lack of infrastructure in terms of non-existent schools building and paucity of teachers also make the task difficult.

Huge budgetary support is required to bridge the present gap in quality and quantity. For the total budget allocation for higher & technical education for 2007-08 was Rs 6,397.36 crore and for 2008-09 it was Rs 11,340 crore – an increase of 77.26% over the previous year.

For 2009-10, the allocation is Rs 15,429 crore and the increase is 36.06 per cent over last year. The major plan of expanding polytechnic education and university education through Central world class universities could get a jolt.

Chatterati
UPA govt in a fix over coalition partners
by Devi Cherian

Even though it is just one year now of the Manmohan Singh government, the Congress finds itself in a bit of a fix. In the 2009 elections the Congress came back with a large majority and confidently formed the government in the Centre. But unfortunately due to the coalition era, the Congress depends on the Trinamool Congress, the NCP and the DMK mainly.

How well NCP chief Sharad Pawar has performed as Agriculture Minister everyone now knows. He did not work hard enough to bring prices down, his predictions of more price rise actually got prices up in the market. The economic logic of simple supply side shortages not being able to account for the astronomical rise in prices of basic commodities is seemingly beyond him.

Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee is still totally based in Bengal alone. She is preparing for the 2011 assembly elections rather than attending Cabinet meetings and looking after the Indian Railways. The number of accidents ever since she has taken over and the need for taking steps for the prevention of accidents does not seem to matter to her. It is really low on her agenda right now.

Down South the DMK’s A. Raja and M.K. Alagiri, are of course the limits. The loss Mr Raja caused to the aam admi by allocating 2G spectrum at throw-away prices is unbelievable. Mr Alagiri, like Mamata, spends more time in Tamil Nadu than Delhi. The most unfortunate fact is that the Prime Minister, critically dependent on his allies, can do precious little to make this errand flock of ministers fall in line. Maybe, the voter should learn from this about voting for the parties with a pan-India agenda in the parliamentary elections.

Bill on women’s reservation

The long-delayed women’s reservation Bill now looks poised to finally pass through Parliament, having crossed the hurdle of being cleared by the Cabinet. The Bill has been in a limbo in various versions for a decade or more.

The Congress party has always insisted that it is serious and passionate about seeing the Bill through. But coalition politics prevented it from moving forward. This time it seems that it is set to pass.

There was of course an attempt during the Cabinet meeting by some Congressmen to try and suggest that it should go to the Rajya Sabha first, but fortunately they were over-ruled.

Both Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi are quiet clear that this is a Bill whose time has come. Indeed, it has the potential of completely changing the nature of Indian political life. And women, cutting across all party lines, see this as a huge victory in a battle that sometimes seemed never to end.

Once passed, the Act would seriously affect all parties and the very nature of governance. Whilst the Laloos and the Mulayams will predictably storm out of Parliament during the final debate, the real reason is that this Act could severely constrain parties like theirs with obvious male and caste dominance.

They could see serious poll reversals since their vote banks could get eroded.

Women in parties, other than the inheritors and a few favoured ones, have had to struggle to get tickets to fight. With this sea change, the big parties will have to scramble to get new talent and make them accept the challenge of polls. This will be a whole new ball game for the parties with established war horses minding most states that they have hopes of winning.

How all this will play out and who will emerge with an advantage is the new big googly of Indian politics. Only one thing is certain. Either way, women win and, hopefully with that, the polity too gains.