|
|
|
|
|
Industry sizes up Modinomics, gets talking
In Himachal, govt employees count big
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
After EC nod, candidates can now spend more
STOCK-TAKING: Harish Rawat Haridwar
BJP hopes to change perception
among Dalits
|
|
Industry sizes up Modinomics, gets talking
New Delhi, February 28 On Thursday, Modi addressed three economic events with traders, chartered accountants and an economic conclave organised by former Shiv Sena MP from Maharashtra Suresh Prabhu. While Modi spoke extempore in Hindi at all the three interactions and discussed various aspects of economy and governance, he did indicate a condensed vision of his economic agenda which was the only time he read from his speech in English. Agenda for growth
In the concluding remarks at the economic conclave, Modi said, “We must build an agenda for a speedy yet sustainable economic growth. That is inclusive of all, respectful of individuals, responsive to innovation and responsible towards the future generations. We must together build an economic agenda for the India of our dreams that translates into improved standards of living, increased human wellbeing and assured social justice.” This was meant to address all sections of society who are stakeholders in the economy and focuses on making growth inclusive which will lift the standards of living. Representatives of Assocham, an industrial body, said the BJP stands for economic reforms. Modi’s talk to traders to face competition has been welcomed by the industry. DS Rawat, secretary general Assocham, said Modi has built a good reputation of pushing reforms in Gujarat, which has become a favourite destination of the corporate India. “Modi’s advice to domestic traders to look beyond a traditional method of doing business indicates that the BJP stands for future reforms,” added Rawat. All eyes are on Modi and his economic agenda as the BJP is leading the opinion polls before the general elections and the markets and analysts have been enthused by Modi’s candidature given his track record on growth as the Gujarat Chief Minister. In January, the research and analysis arm of the global investment and ratings agency, Moody’s, said that the BJP-led Narendra Modi government at the Centre will be better for economy and will boost investors’ confidence. “If elected, the Modi-led government should offer a more business-friendly policy that will further support confidence and investment,” Moody’s Analytics said. With the economy languishing at sub-5 per cent growth, the economic situation is a major election plank. In his interactions, Modi is saying that there is a trust and governance deficit in the country which needs to be removed to revive the economy. Positioning himself as a CEO who gets the job done, Modi also said that effective governance was more important than policy illustration, making it clear that policies don’t mean much unless they are implemented successfully.
Gujarat model
In his speeches, Modi also narrated anecdotes from Gujarat on how practical solutions are his forte. The use of technology in governance and checking corruption were his pet themes and he gave the example of how in Gujarat they did away with interviews for teacher recruitment by asking the computer to throw up the most competent candidates based on their qualifications. Modi’s economic agenda has cheered the industry which says it is reform oriented. “The economic agenda partly unveiled by Modi in his recent public meetings carries hopes that he would opt for aggressive reform-oriented approach, if it comes to power,” said Saurabh Sanyal, executive director, PHD Chamber.
Hope for economy
Sanyal said by and large, the industry is optimistic that the new government will unfold economic policies that are equitable and fair, leading to higher growth trajectory that will fuel demand and consumption. He expressed the hope that on the external front, the new government would encourage the FDIs, FIIs and QFIs to make India the fastest investment receiving destination and make its stock market much more vibrant. Stressing on the 3 D’s, Modi said that India had three major advantages — democracy, demographics and demand — but in the absence of determination, devotion and direction in the government, economic growth had slumped and there was a mood of despondency in the country. Skill development is an issue he has stressed on many times to harness the demographic dividend. He also called for export of teachers and nurses. Advocating all-round development, he said all the three pillars of the economy — manufacturing, agriculture and services — need to grow in a balanced way so that there is no mismatch. If the nation will move ahead, the top few can't only move, the lower sections of society must move ahead.
Invest in R&D
On healthcare, he said there was a need for a paradigm shift to address wellness rather than only sickness. Modi laid stress on investing in research and development and added that India was not conscious about intellectual property rights and patents. The biggest mistake to date has been to believe that one tailor-made plan will be useful for all the states. Stressing on the need for supplying electricity to villages, Modi said: "We need to aim for a place which has a soul of a village with urban amenities. Migration to cities has come down by 33 per cent in Gujarat,” he said. There is a plethora of laws and the redundant ones need to done away with. He cited a law continuing since World War II where the police have to report that no pamphlets were dropped by air balloons.
|
|
In Himachal, govt employees count big
Shimla, February 28 This explains the reason for the over-indulgence and pampering of employees by various political parties ahead of the polls. It is not just the numbers which indicate that they constitute a sizeable chunk of the electorate, but they are politically animated, making it impossible for any party to ignore them. As such, the employees exert pressure tactics, especially before the elections, to extract their pound of flesh by raising their demands for financial benefits and higher pay scales. Sensing the employee power in Himachal politics, both the Congress and the BJP, when in power, have tried to woo them by doling out sops ahead of elections. Pressure tactics
In Himachal, employees comprise 3.94 per cent of the total population, which is among the highest in the country. In Punjab, this ratio stands at 1.55 per cent, Haryana at 1.5 per cent and in Uttarakhand, it is 1.46 per cent. With a population of 68.46 lakh, there are over 1.87 lakh regular government employees, 39,000 working in various boards and corporations and 45,000 contractual and daily-wagers. Besides, the state has more than 1.5-lakh strong contingent of retirees, who, too, have joined hands with employees in getting their demands fulfilled by the incumbent government. Special poll sops
Keeping up with his tradition of employee appeasement, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh also made it a point to announce 10 per cent dearness allowance to the employees and retirees in the budget he presented in the Assembly on February 7. Virbhadra has also assured the pensioners that their demand for 5, 10 and 15 per cent increase in basic pension would be met shortly. Notwithstanding the grave financial health of the state, every government succumbs to the demands of the employees whose support in the polls is a crucial factor in deciding the fate of candidates. The importance accorded by every political party in its election manifesto to the employees is a clear indicator of their exalted position in the eyes of politicians. Budget for salaries
The fact that 53 per cent of the government's budget is spent on paying salaries and pensions to serving and retired employees has been a cause for concern. With such a burden on the exchequer, barely 37 per cent of the money is available for development works. With limited job avenues in the state, except in the industrial belts, which, too, are confined to the fringe areas, a government job has been the first and foremost priority of Himachalis. The craving for a government job can be well understood since job avenues are scarce and the employment figure has almost touched nine lakh. There is a government employee or at least a pensioner in every family in the state, which has a direct bearing on the voting pattern by almost half the electorate of the state.
|
|
After EC nod, candidates can now spend more
New Delhi, February 28 The Commission has proposed to raise expenditure limits for Assembly elections, with a maximum of Rs 28 lakh and a minimum of Rs 20 lakh in north-eastern and hill states. Sources said the Union Cabinet considered the Commission's proposal in this regard sent on February 17 and cleared the same. The EC had written to the Law Ministry, proposing a raise in expenditure limits for the Lok Sabha elections to a maximum of Rs 70 lakh and bring the north-eastern and hill states on par with those in the plains and proposed the limit of Rs 54 lakh for them. The poll expenditure rates will go up from Rs 40 lakh to Rs 70 lakh for each Lok Sabha constituency in bigger states such as Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Karnataka, while it will go up from the present Rs 22 lakh in smaller states such as Goa to Rs 54 lakh on par with other hilly and north-eastern states. It will also go up to Rs 54 lakh in north-eastern states where the limits were varying between Rs 35 lakh and Rs 27 lakh for Parliamentary seats earlier. Among the Union Territories, the limit will go up from Rs 40 lakh to Rs 70 lakh in Delhi, while it will be uniform at Rs 54 lakh for all other UTs. The limit for Delhi Assembly elections is proposed to be raised to Rs 28 lakh from Rs 14 lakh at present and Rs 20 lakh for Puducherry from Rs 8 lakh now. Sources said the EC had worked out a formula based on Cost Inflation Index by virtue of which it proposed a hike in the expenditure limit for candidates contesting the Parliamentary and Assembly elections. As per the formula, the rise for Parliamentary and Assembly constituencies was done on a multiple of 1.75 times the previous figures, sources said. The enhanced expenses limits come in the wake of political parties making a strong pitch in this regard at a recent meeting with top officials of the Election Commission. Parties had argued that current limits were meagre as compared to the rise in prices on account of inflation. The expenditure limit for each Parliamentary constituency in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections was Rs 25 lakh for bigger states and was revised to Rs 40 lakh in 2011. Sources said candidates, in their expenses returns filed with the poll body, had been under reporting. At present, a majority of the candidates had declared barely half the expenditure they were allowed to incur by the Election Commission, sources said. The EC had argued that enhanced limits of poll expenditure were required to be done in view of rising inflation that needed to be factored in. — PTI Expenditure limit enhanced
The poll expenditure rates will go up from Rs 40 lakh to Rs 70 lakh for each Lok Sabha constituency in bigger states, including Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Karnataka, while it will go up from the present Rs 22 lakh in smaller states to Rs 54 lakh on par with other hilly and north-eastern states.
|
|
STOCK-TAKING: Harish Rawat Haridwar With focus on development, he cleared many projects, a few of which, rivals say, are still on paper Sandeep Rawat Tribune News Service
The other four constituencies of the state are Tehri Garhwal, Pauri Garhwal, Almora and Nainital. With the appointment of Harish Rawat as the state's eighth Chief Minister, the development works carried out during his tenure are expected to work in the favour of the Congress in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Before being elected the Haridwar MP in 2009, Rawat had represented Almora constituency thrice, but had lost the elections four times in a row since 1991. Blew development bugle During his election campaign, Rawat had sought votes promising development and after almost five years, he seems to have delivered what he promised. The major national-level projects he brought to the constituency are National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) at Sarai village, Sugarcane Research Institute at Salez farm, Missirpur, and Floriculture Research Institute. The All-India Institute of Medical Sciences at Rishikesh was also inaugurated earlier this month. The much-awaited Employees State Insurance Corporation Hospital, which was announced by Rawat in 2010 during his stint as the Union Minister for State Labour Minister, was inaugurated last week. A medical college spread across 150 acres is expected to come up in Haridwar. An Urdu academy at Muslim shrine Piran Kaliyar has appeased the minority community, which comprises 22 per cent of the total population. Last year, when sugarcane farmers had taken to mass agitation, Rawat had negotiated between the state government and farmers, seeking Rs 187 crore for the latter. Thereafter, the state government had provided loans to mills so that farmers could get their dues prior to the sugarcane season. Elevation of Roorkee tehsil to a full-fledged district is also one of the issues Rawat had raised as the Haridwar MP. Lone MP in UPA-II Cabinet Rawat became the lone MP to be inducted in the UPA-II Cabinet, serving in capacity of Minister of State for Revenue Employment. Later, during reshuffle of the Cabinet, he was given the charge of the Minister for State Food Processing -Parliamentary Affairs in July 2011 and in the final reshuffle of the Cabinet in October 2012, he was given full charge of the Cabinet Minister for Water Resources. In Parliament Being the Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Rawat actively raised questions related to Uttarakhand in Parliament and participated in debates, showing his diplomatic skills as a seasoned Parliamentarian. He handled proceedings with ease when Anna Hazare-led Jan Lokpal Bill was tabled in Parliament and also got acknowledged by the then Union Parliamentary Minister Pawan Bansal. Other issues raised by Rawat were flood disaster relief operations and cleaning of River Ganga. MPLADS funds Rawat has spent 95 per cent of Rs 19 crore granted to him under the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS). He had spent 71.76 per cent of the funds by 2013. Chief Development Officer Vishnu Singh Dhanik said the MP used to review the financial and physical viability of all schemes regularly. The rivals' take Praising Rawat's work, Swami Yatindranand Giri said the MP should not have moved on to the Chief Minister's post in the middle of his tenure as an MP. Bahujan Samaj Party candidate Mohammed Shahzad alleged that majority of the projects cleared by Rawat were still on paper. Voterspeak
Haridwar is synonymous with River Ganga. Being the Water Resources Minister, Rawat failed to clean the holy river. As a Parliamentarian and more so as a Union Minister, he failed to do what was expected from
him. The city has certainly developed in the past five years with the establishment of many government institutions, colleges, medical facilities and broadening of the national highway, which has helped ease traffic
congestion. As a local Parliamentarian, Rawat's major achievement is the establishment of the National Disaster Response Force unit in the city, but he failed to address the issues of armed forces personnel. We are disappointed with his
performance.
|
BJP hopes to change perception
among Dalits
New Delhi, February 28 It may not command the following of BSP supremo Mayawati, but with its symbolic presence, the BJP hopes to change the mindset and perception of the BJP among Dalits. Besides seven seats in Bihar, for Paswan, the BJP had to pay higher price. Sources said the settlement with Paswan included an understanding that no minority-sensitive issue would be raised in Bihar, meaning Hindutva-BJP's core issue was not expected to be pursued actively, at least in Bihar. The presence of Koeri leader Upendra Kushwaha of the Rashtriya Loktantrik Samata Party will be an added advantage in Bihar. In Maharashtra, the BJP-Shiv Sena combine is not viewed very kindly by Dalits. Athawale, who commands support in the area, is expected to help change that perception. Similarly, the presence of former IRS officer Udit Raj may help the BJP in the caste-sensitive UP.
|
|
Snapshots
New Delhi: DMK president M Karunanidhi described the BJP's PM candidate hard working and a "good friend", leading to speculations of a DMK-BJP alliance. The party, which has on its radar Chautalas-led INLD in Haryana and the Asom Gana Parishad in Assam, called it "groundswell of support". — TNS
Cong, TRS ties run into rough weather Hyderabad: The TRS today hit out at the Congress for "poaching" its leaders and accused the national party of not showing respect towards it, even as the regional party's chief K Chandrasekhar Rao trained his guns on Union Minister Jairam Ramesh, terming his reported comments an "insult to Telangana". — PTI Sena declares first list, no ticket for Manohar Joshi Mumbai: Senior Shiv Sena leader and former LS Speaker Manohar Joshi did not figure in the party's first list of 15 candidates for the LS polls announced today. The party named Rahul Shewale from Mumbai South-Central constituency, from where Joshi was seeking the ticket. — PTI AAP gets a shot in the arm New Delhi: The AAP on Friday got a shot in the arm as three municipal councillors from BJP, JD (U) and BSP and president of the BJP Mandal - Raghuvinder Shaukeen, Rakesh Kumar, Imran Hussain and Arun Kumar Singh respectively - joined the party. Lt General (retd) TPS Rawat from Uttarakhand also joined the party. —TNS Border forces may chip in for LS poll duty New Delhi: The upcoming Lok Sabha elections may require border guarding forces to shift their personnel from border areas for poll duty. The chief of the BSF on Friday said in view of the polls, the force "might require" to thin out some of its strength from border duties. — PTI |
|
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | E-mail | |
Old-timers vividly remember the strong agitation by non-gazetted employees in the early 1980s against the Congress government led by Thakur Ram Lal, which continued for almost 20 days. He had to bow before the employees' might. Barring BJP leader Shanta Kumar, who drew the employees' wrath by enforcing "no work-no pay" policy, no other Chief Minister has had the courage to take on the 'babus' considering their influence.
Haridwar, February 28