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Farooq formula for J&K
China’s unfriendly acts
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The rise in food prices
Not a politician
Speeches will not win hearts
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Farooq formula for J&K
National
Conference chief
and Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Resources Dr Farooq Abdullah last week gave a sound dressing-down to those in the Kashmir valley who have been demanding “azadi” (independence) for Jammu and Kashmir. He rightly pointed out in the Lok Sabha that any such talk could not be in the larger interests of the Kashmiris. What the separatists have been pressing for has nothing to do with the aspirations of the masses. The most convincing proof of the people in the valley being disinterested in ideas like “azadi” has been provided during the elections in the past. By overwhelmingly participating in the polls, held under the Constitution of India, they have been stressing the point that they are as patriotic Indians as people in the rest of the country are. The separatists, who have been misleading the public, need to be reminded of the denial of even basic human rights to those in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Dr Abdullah, however, strongly believes that the Kashmir crisis can be brought to an end by giving more autonomy to the border state. He forcefully pleaded for autonomy in the Lok Sabha, saying that it was time the nation had a closer look at his proposal. The state has been passing through a period of fresh turmoil with people indulging in throwing stones at the security forces and defying curfew orders to express their resentment against the government. Pakistan has been playing its destabilising role, but the enemy could not have succeeded in using its new tactics if the people’s sense of alienation had not been strong enough to make them come out into the streets in large numbers. The National Conference leader’s demand for more autonomy is based on a resolution passed by the J and K Assembly in 2000, when he was the state’s Chief Minister. Autonomy is one issue which calls for an examination. But more than anything else, people in the valley and the rest of the state will be happier if there is a large-scale revival of economic activity. People need sufficient employment opportunities and other things essential to lead a comfortable life. Whatever is required in the interest of peace in the valley must be done under the overall framework of the Constitution.
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China’s unfriendly acts
MUCH though India and China may feign that all’s well between them, every now and then the lack of understanding and trust in the relationship comes to the fore, locked as they are in a battle for high stakes as emerging powers. The latest spark lit by the Chinese by denial of visa to Lt-General B.S. Jaswal, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Northern Area Command, to visit China as part of high-level defence exchanges marks a new setback to relations between the two neighbours. Considering that the refusal of visa had to do with the fact that the General had Jammu and Kashmir under his charge, the Indian Government cannot but be outraged by Beijing’s challenge to the northern state being an integral part of India. Evidently, the China’s intentions are far from innocent. It wants the pot boiling on its contention that what India calls Arunachal Pradesh is actually China’s territory. At the same time, it is out to please Pakistan by dubbing J & K as disputed territory. Last year, the Chinese had angered New Delhi by issuing visas on separate pieces of paper for Kashmiris which were then stapled into their passports. The practice resulted in many Kashmiris being prevented by Indian immigration officials from boarding their flights on the grounds that the visas were not valid. China has also been nitpicking in the past year over visits by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Dalai Lama to Arunachal Pradesh. The Indian response could well have been less conciliatory. There is little point in pretending that there is complete bonhomie between the two countries. While it is mutually-beneficial to nurture economic ties, India must make no bones about its disgust over Chinese actions that go against the spirit of friendship. The denial of visas to three Chinese army officers in retaliation for their refusal to issue visa to Lt-Gen. Jaswal is mere tokenism. Instead, the Chinese government needs to be told in no uncertain terms that actions like the denial of visa to the General only put the clock back on normalisation of ties between the two countries.
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Money or mischief? THE Foreign Contribution Regulation Bill, which has been cleared by Parliament and will become a law once the President signs it, will help the government keep tabs on the flow of foreign money into this country part of which, it is feared, might be going into funding disruptive activities. Tracing sources of terror funding has become a global concern after the 9/11 attacks in the US. Despite witnessing several terrorist attacks, India has failed to locate and stop foreign-based sponsors of terrorism and other anti-social activities. The new law may enable the government to plug authorised and known channels of money transfer from and to this country. What about illegal channels? Money laundering is prevalent worldwide and has defied a workable solution. The menace can be minimised if the law is effectively used to ensure that every religious, charitable and non-government organisation (NGO) is registered and its fund-raising and spending is closely monitored with the help of latest technology and violations are strictly dealt with. It is easier said than done. The scanning of funds to religious bodies will have to be sensitively handled, given the scope for mischief and possibility of hurting people’s religious sensibilities. Foreign missionaries are known to use money power sometimes to facilitate religious conversions, which provoke local religious leaders and endanger social harmony. NGOs have mushroomed so fast in the recent past that it is difficult to keep track of them. There is reportedly one NGO for every 400 Indians. A government study counted 33 lakh NGOs in the country till 2009, which raise Rs 40,000 crore to Rs 80,000 crore annually. The government is the top financier of NGOs but there is no provision for an auditing by CAG of fund utilization. Foreign donations are the second major source of NGO funding. It is true many NGOs are doing commendable work and it will be quite an uphill task to separate the real from the fake. The new law will limit the scope for error.
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A man seldom puts his authentic self into a letter. He writes it to amuse a friend or to get rid of a social or business obligation which is, to say, a nuisance. — H.L. Mencken
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The rise in food prices INDIA today is faced with double-digit inflation in the case of food items, which is fuelling the overall inflationary trends in the country. For decades studies have been showing that retailers’ margins are so high that producer-sellers do not get a fair share of the price the consumers pay. Take the case of fruits and vegetables. What the producer gets in the wholesale market, the retailer/vendor sitting just outside the wholesale market charges twice that price from the consumer, who comes to the wholesale market assuming that he will buy cheaper. The consumers who buy vegetables and fruits in retail markets nearer their homes or from a mobile vendor at their door pay the price three times higher and even more. The handling cost of these retailers/vendors is only a small fraction of the cost the producer incurs over and above the production risk he runs and market uncertainties he faces. Thus, the retail market in fruits and vegetables eats up to two-thirds of the price the consumer pays. The retailers/vendors being in large numbers subsist on very low volumes of business. Therefore, to earn a reasonable income for sustaining their families, they keep high margins. With a low volume of business, they have to perforce keep high profit margins. Another character of the retail market is that it is a bad conductor of demand and supply. Even if there is a small shortage in supplies due to adverse weather conditions or other contingencies, retail prices shoot up disproportionately. Yet the retail market does not lower the prices accordingly when supplies become normal or increase, though the wholesale prices might come down. The rigidity of the retail market, specially of the perishables, does not let the consumer benefit from increased supplies and lower wholesale prices. It also does not allow the producer to gain from improved consumer demand. Unfortunately, there are no competitive alternatives to the inefficient retail market. In 1986, I suggested that there should be “Farmers’ Markets” in my report on agricultural diversification, wherein consumers could directly buy from producers. However, the suggested model got mutilated and “Apni Mandis” were created, where framers today are conspicuous by their absence. These markets have turned into vendors’ markets with no benefit either to the producers or to the consumers. The answer lies in creating a healthy competition in the retail market, wherein the retailer does not exploit the producers as well as the consumers. The globalised economy of the country must, therefore, deliver due benefits to the agricultural producers as well as the consumers. Corporate entry into the retail market is one of the effective answers to the problem, whereby the traditional retail market will get disciplined and both alternatives will provide a check on each other. There is a need for the corporate houses that have recently entered the agricultural retail market to invest liberally, not only to cater to the local consumers on quality supplies but also to become competitive in the international market. Their purview must run to cover quality and demand-driven production from the hinterland farmers, processing, value addition, creation of cold supply chains, cold storage, etc, to minimise the losses. Creation of backward and forward linkages is very vital at this stage, if the farmer’s share in the consumer’s rupee is to be improved. We have good examples before us such as the Nestle link-up with dairy farmers on the one hand and the local as well as international markets on the other. In such a system, producers get not only a good price, but the companies also provide help to their schools, health care facilities for animals, infrastructural facilities for handling the produce, etc. We have corporate houses like Bharti and Reliance that recently entered the retail market. They need to strengthen their backward linkages with producers in respect of improved quality production, better price contracts and lifting the produce according to the specifications agreed upon. In order to operate the system on a sustainable basis, the system must operate in a manner that economic interests of producers and corporates get fully intermeshed. These corporates must operate on the level that they benefit on the volume of business and value addition with lower profit margins. If they charge the same price or only marginally lower price than what the traditional retailer or the vendor charges, the purpose of corporate entry gets defeated. In any case, the producer must get at least two-thirds of the price the local consumer pays for the produce. In the case of processing the produce into products for value addition, the producers’ share might decline, yet in absolute terms his returns will improve. The creation of such marketing chains — right from the level of quality production, collection of the produce, primary handling and processing into products, packaging, creation of cold storage and cold chains — requires at least $ 20 billion in the first go. There is, therefore, merit in allowing the FDI in the retail market of agricultural commodities. In the globalised market, if farmers have to gain and consumers have to get quality agricultural commodities at reasonable prices, it is not only from the financial angel the FDIs should be considered, more it will benefit in respect of the introduction of improved technologies at the production level as well as through the whole of the marketing chain. We have before us examples of Pepsi, Coca Cola, motor vehicles, etc, wherein foreign investment and collaboration has paid dividends. The consumers who were taken as a captive market for decades and exploited through the supply of progressively inferior products at higher prices through advance bookings and long wait by indigenous enterprises have experienced better and have a multiple choice at reasonable prices. If we have opened up our markets and the economy is getting globalised, we should let our farmers and consumers benefit through fair global competition on the quality of products and reasonability of prices. To compete in the international market, our policy makers have to come out of the traditional mindset and start thinking out of the box for the benefit of the economy as a whole, and producers as well as consumers of agricultural commodities in particular. This will also put an effective check on inflation in food
prices. The writer is a former Vice-Chancellor of Punjabi University, Patiala.
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Not a politician TODAY
when I see politicians going to any extent to seek power and position, I am reminded of Pandit Mohan Lal, a former Home and Finance Minister of Punjab who got an opportunity to be the Chief Minister of Punjab but humbly declined it so that the state remained in safer hands. It was in 1963. Under the Kamraj Plan, the then Chief Minister of Punjab, Partap Singh Kairon, was to be relieved in order to utilise his services to revitalise the Congress party. While sending his resignation to the party high command, Kairon recommended Panditji’s name as his successor. This information was leaked out to Panditji by someone on Kairon’s personal staff. Pandit Mohan Lal rushed to Delhi to explain to the Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru , that in a situation where the Akalis were adamant to intensify their agitation to get Punjabi Suba, none other than Kairon could face them befittingly. He impressed upon Nehru that the Akalis could exploit the situation if any non-Jat Sikh replaced Kairon. Panditji volunteered his services for the organisation. Nehru changed his mind. Nehru asked Kairon to relieve Pandit Mohan Lal from the Cabinet to use his services for the organisation. But Kairon showed his reluctance to do so and convinced Nehru that minus Pandit Mohan Lal in his Cabinet, administrative and legislative affairs of the state would badly suffer. The result of this exercise was that both Kairon and Pandit Mohan Lal continued to hold their respective positions. To some, it may sound as Panditji’s loyalty to Kairon but it was his concern for the state that forced him . To be a Chief Minister could be a culmination of his political career. It was January, 1986. I interviewed Panditji for Punjabi Tribune’s column “Khulliyan Gallan”. I felt deeply impressed by his charismatic personality. He gifted to me his book “Disintegration of Punjab”, which I later translated into the Punjabi language under the title “Hashar Punjab Da”. This was the beginning of my association with him, which remained vibrant till his end in 1999. I always found him fresh with the latest on Punjab. This is one of the several episodes that dotted his political career. This finds a mention in his book too which gives a detailed and first-hand account of post-Independence political history of Punjab. Panditji left for his heavenly abode on the 30th of this month in 1999. A votary of united Punjab, he is fondly remembered even today for his brilliant and constructive approach towards Punjab.
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Speeches will not win hearts
I
would like to put some things straight to my friends from the Opposition as well as people on my side. Kashmir is not a simple problem. Do not make it look simple. In this very House, many of you must have been Members of this House, a Bill has been passed… "All right. I will speak in Hindi. This is the same House in which the Bill was passed that the whole of Jammu and Kashmir - part of which is now with Pakistan and China, which they now call Azad Kashmir and we call the Occupied Kashmir and the northern territories which include Skardu, Gilgit, Hunja - are all part of Maharaja's Kashmir. But I have not heard even a single individual talk about this area. What is happening there, what atrocities are being committed, nobody knows. People who are sitting up there in the Press gallery also never write about it. It is all right that you promise a lot. But remember one thing, a lot of misconceptions are created. The Kashmir that is with us is not part of Hindustan due to your firepower, your guns or due to your Air Force. It is part of India because of the leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Pt Jawaharlal Nehru and those leaders who fought with Sheikh Abdullah for the freedom of the country. It was because of the policies of those leaders that Kashmir became part of Hindustan. Not only did it become part of India, it stayed firmly with India. When so many wars were fought, and do not forget the last was the Kargil war, it stood firmly with India. But, unfortunately, whenever we open our hearts before you, you either do not recognise us or you do not understand us. But there is no such machine with which we can lay bare our heart to show that we have the name of Hindustan written in all the chambers of our heart. But you do not see that. You are stuck with small meaningless things. Today, even a child seeks Azadi (in Kashmir). Why does he make such a demand ? Have you ever asked him what is the purpose of independence ? What does it mean ? Can Jammu and Kashmir remain independent ? From one side China is out to grab it. Even today, it is gradually trying to infiltrate into Ladakh. On the other side there is Pakistan. Trying to save itself from jihadi elements, it is pushing militants into India. Just evaluate the situation. The three countries have atom bombs at their disposal. Can Kashmir remain independent in such a scenario? Can't we see the situation in Afghanistan? Can't we see Al-Qaida or the Taliban ? If we go that way, won't Kashmir land into a similar situation ? Mr Chairman Sir, I remember the day when I had accompanied Sharma Sahib, the then Vice President to Kabul, when Badshah Khan was to be buried in Jalalabad. I was there in the delegation and when from Jalalabad I went to Khyber on the Pakistan border to bring his ashes, I couldn't see one bridge or house in good shape. People who are asking for Azadi, they are unable to see the bungalows, we get to see while landing in Kashmir. Do you see one Kachcha house ? God forbid that situation like Afghanistan ever happens to Kashmir. Therefore, I tell those sitting in the front, please try to listen to what our heart says. When we brought forward the autonomy proposal, I was in Bangalore. I was invited by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. That was Late Shyama Prasad Mukherjee's death anniversary, you people had to go to Kolkata. You had decided in the Cabinet to oppose the proposal even though some of the Cabinet ministers said that they had not even read it. They said they be allowed to read it first and a decision could be arrived at later on. But they were determined to withdraw Article 370, determined to rule over the land and not over hearts. If you have to rule the heart, you must try to listen to it. Only then will Hindustan remain one. If you do not treat our heartbeats as that of Hindustan and if you do not understand the heartbeats of those living in the Northeast, you will not be able to keep Hindustan united. If you understand only the heartbeat of Delhi and overlook other states, Hindustan will never be strong. I came with folded hands in front of Prime Minister. I asked, Sir, have you read it ? He replied that he had not gone through it. Then I asked how did you arrive at the decision ? I requested, you please read it. If there is anything that weakens the country, please tell us. We are ready to listen. We have not shut our doors. These are not Ayaats of the Quran, which can not be changed. We have told them these can be altered. But please tell us where we are wrong. But they simply discarded it. I was disgraced. I went down in the esteem of my own people. I am a part of this government and yet I am treated with such disdain ! What dignity can I be left with. I am still sitting in the administration along with you. Today the issue is that of winning hearts. Speeches are not enough. You cannot win the heart of a youngster with mere speeches. Those who have been shot dead-they are not asking for money to compensate those lives. They are merely demanding justice. Can't we ensure that ? Can't we start talking ? You ( the NDA) yourself handed over a list of 20 persons to Pakistan and said you would never resume talks unless those 20 people are handed over. Have you forgotten the day when you invited Gen Musharraf here. The list of 20 persons was still lying with them. He (Musharraf) never returned to Hindustan. Why was he invited to India? Because there was no other way out. Solutions can be found only through talks. I still remember when our Prime Minister said on the Pakistan border that we can change our friends, but not neighbours. We can co-exist peacefully, with love and harmony or else the hatred would burn and weaken us. Therefore, I appeal with folded hands that try to understand what our pulse says. We do not want to separate from India. There is nobody who wants separation from India. If anybody wants this, he does not really know what is in store for him on the other side. They think everything is green on the other side till they land. I would like to correct my people here, there is a lot of mis-information, and a lot of things have been said wrong. I would like to request all of you to try to understand that we want to find a solution within India, not within Pakistan or China or America. So, if we want to find a solution, let us sit down rather than have an obstruction that Article 370 will go and we will have a better India. You will never have a better India unless you win hearts and minds of people. To win the hearts and minds of the people, for God's sake open your hearts, open your brains and accommodate people's views. Sir, I will speak to Sardar Ajnala in Punjabi. He has said that we will not get autonomy. Therefore, we should forgo autonomy. Let me tell you, Sir, without autonomy, you too will not get what you want. What I feel, one day India will have to have a true federal structure. A true federal structure will mean that every state will have its power and Centre will have its power. If a state is weak the Centre will never be powerful. If you want to make Centre powerful then the states must be made powerful because they are the arms, legs and the body of India and unless the body of India is strong the mind can never be strong. Therefore, my request to all of you is that if we have to get on, let us make a prosperous India where people live together not in hatred. I have no hatred for Hindus. Why ? It is because I see God in various forms. To me, if you believe in God as Rama, Krishna, Mahesh, Vishnu or Brahma, the creator, let me tell you as far as a Muslim is concerned, it is one vision. It is the same power except the view you see is different. You see him in different forms but the power is the same. I see him as Allah. The power is the same. To you I say, let us not build animosity on religion for your religion is welcome to you and my religion is welcome to me. That is what makes India great. That is what makes India strong because we follow so many different religions yet are with one body and one soul and that soul is India and that soul will remain India so long as we remember that we have to work for the betterment of the people. That is why, we are here. We are here for the success of the people and the success of our nation depends if we work together. Therefore, to Shri Murli Manohar Joshi, Shrimati Sushma Swaraj and to all of you I would say, let us sit together, let us find out a way forward where we can win the hearts and minds of these young people rather than using bullets and firing. That is the only way we can do it. I would request the Home Minister to do something in this regard. I would request Shrimati Gandhi to bring all of us together and let us find a way forward in solving the problem of Jammu and Kashmir. At the same time, when our Prime Minister goes across the border or their Prime Minister comes here, it is made abundantly clear to them that not only is 'this' Jammu and Kashmir ours, 'that' Jammu and Kashmir is also ours. We forget this. We do not ever mention this as if we have given that to them. The time has come when we must tell them with one voice - enough is enough. We are not going to take it sitting down. That country belongs to us and it will remain with us. Let us start thinking of that. To the media, I would say that my earnest request to you is that please think of India. Please write for India because I know in my own State how the media puts things in such a manner that it creates hatred, it makes your blood boil. But it is not just Kashmir but it is Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh, POK and Northern Territory, that is part of India.
(Speech delivered in the Lok Sabha on Thursday, August 26, by the Union Minister for Renewable Energy and former J & K Chief Minister. Most of it was delivered in Hindi in response to the plea made by
Shri Sharad Yadav, MP)
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