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Economic Highlights
The People’s Right To Information, By Inder Jit, 26 October 2023 |
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REWIND
New Delhi, 26 October
2023
The People’s Right To Information
By Inder Jit
(Released on 7 August 1984)
Ignorance continues to abound in
regard to Parliament, its constitution, practices, procedures and privileges.
Thirty-four years as a sovereign democratic Republic seem to have failed to
inform and educate our leaders and public adequately. Even members of
Parliament have of late spoken in astonishing terms. Not a few inside
Parliament and outside have described the current session of the Lok Sabha as “the
last session of Parliament.” True, the present Lok Sabha is now approaching the
close of its five-year term meet for its winter session in November. (Contrary
to reports, no firm decision has yet been taken about the date of the next
general election. Mrs Gandhi, it appears, prefers to play it by the ear.) But
the Lok Sabha is not Parliament, notwithstanding the fact that it is directly
elected. Parliament is also not the two Houses -- the Lok Sabha and the Rajya
Sabha. Parliament, according to the Constitution, consists of three elements:
the President, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. No single entity, by itself,
is Parliament.
Equally, the basic concept of a
parliamentary form of Government is still not understood, even among our
parliamentarians. The system provides for an orderly form of government by
discussion and debate. As Leo Amery wrote in Thoughts on the Constitution, “the
main task of Parliament is still what it was when first summoned, not to
legislate or govern but to secure full discussion and ventilation of all
matters.” Parliament is essentially a critical forum or, as described by Lloyd
George, “the sounding board of the nation” which derives its influence from its
ability to speak to and to speak for the people. Yet, thanks to an unfortunate
failure of leadership on both sides of the two Houses --- the Lok Sabha and the
Rajya Sabha - parliamentary form of Government in India is fast becoming a
Government not by debate and discussion in the true sense of the term but a Government
by speeches or, more appropriately, a government by “bhashans”. There is
less and less of orderly give and take. Even accepted norms of conduct and
parliamentary niceties patiently sought to be promoted by Nehru -- have fallen
by the wayside.
Most discussions in the Lok Sabha
and with speeches from the two sides with little of the cut and thrust of a
vigorous debate, except on rare occasions. Nehru graciously yielded whenever
any Opposition member sought to interrupt him in the course of his reply to a
debate to elicit a clarification or information. No MP of the ruling party was
permitted, much less encouraged, by Nehru, who spent long hours in the House,
to heckle or shout down Opposition members. Nothing of the kind happens any
more, especially where the Prime Minister is concerned. Mrs Gandhi appears less
and less inclined to be interrupted to offer explanations or clarifications as
at her Press conferences. (Remember, Mrs Gandhi, at her Press conferences,
allows one question one person to give an opportunity to the largest number of
newsmen. This procedure, however, bars alert and probing newsmen from following
up with searching supplementaries.) The “halla” (shouting) groups Congress-I
members make things easier for Mrs Gandhi, even before she has time to say “no”.
Parliament and through it the
country stand to gain in any give and take in a debate. The MPs themselves
benefit, as in the recent stage case involving Prof Madhu Dandwate and Mr Rajiv
Gandhi at one stage and Mr Indrajit Gupta and Mr Rajiv Gandhi at another in the
Lok Sabha discussion on Punjab. Both Prof Dandwate and Mr Gupta gracefully
yielded to Mr Rajiv Gandhi when the latter sought an opportunity to clarify
that he had never described Bhindranwale as a religious leader and had, in
fact, strongly criticised him. Dandwate and Mr Gupta added to their
parliamentary stature by upholding the best parliamentary norm and yielding to
Mr Gandhi. And Rajiv Gandhi, for his part, not only set the record straight but
impressed one and all with his unsuspected ability to cross swords with
seasoned parliamentarians tactfully ---reminding many Parliament watchers of
his father, the late Feroze Gandhi, one of free India’s most effective
parliamentarians. Interestingly, Mr. Rajiv Gandhi, who has a rich voice like
his father’s, sits close to where Feroze Gandhi adorned the non-official
benches.
Alas, the Opposition is even more at
fault. It often fails to play its role and, in the bargain, makes things easier
for the Treasury benches. Nothing illustrates this more than the debate on the
scandalous and painful happenings in Kashmir. Both Mr George Fernandez, Janata,
and Mr Ram Jethmalani, Bharatiya Janata Party, made powerful speeches and
blasted both the Centre and the Governor for the havoc played in Srinagar.
Unfortunately, however, both were missing when the new Home Minister, Mr P.V.
Narasimha Rao, wound up the discussion even if he did so late in the evening in
a debate which seemed to go on interminably. With what result? Mr Narasimha Rao
was able to get away with blue murder on some basic issues through a slick
impressive presentation. In fact, Mr Narasimha Rao was even able to say that
the Opposition had little interest in principles. Said he: “Mr Nar Bahadur
Bhandari, Congress- I Chief Minister in Sikkim, was dismissed. But he went
unwept and unhonoured”. None from the Opposition challenged his tongue-in-the-cheek
statement.
That, however, is only one bit. The
Opposition has been behaving astonishingly even otherwise against its own
interest. It has, at least, twice in the current session demanded suspension of
the Question Hour. Mercifully, the Speaker, Mr Bal Ram Jakhar, overruled the
demand. Clearly, the Opposition wanted to emphasize the importance it gave to
the Kashmir developments in proposing a virtual adjournment motion on the
opening day. But in doing so they allowed their better judgment to run away
with their anger over the happenings --- and their desire to demonstrate their
support for Dr Farooq Abdullah. The Question Hour is in
many ways the most important hour for the Opposition and the back-benchers on
both sides of the House and has even been described by some experts as the “sacred
hour”. The Government under the Constitution, as we all know, is responsible to
Parliament. The Question Hour translates this to reality in practice and
ensures the Government’s accountability. It has also been described as the
hyphen that links Parliament to the Government.
Undoubtedly, the Question Hour is
the most powerful instrument available to the Opposition and, indeed, to all
private members belonging to the ruling party. It enshrines Parliament’s right
to know and through it the people’s right to information. The Question Hour in
its present form is unique and is practised at present only in Britain and
India. It is a part of the daily sittings of the House. Yet it is set apart as
an hour itself because Parliament’s first prerogative is to get information. It
is held from 11 to 12 noon and precedes the “zero hour” -- or what is called
the Public Business in Commons. Since the Question Hour entitles the private
members to put questions on anything which comes within the framework of
Government or national activities, the rules of the House ensure that the
Government does not find an excuse to avoid questions or to conveniently slip
out of the dock. The rules provide that there “shall’ be a Question Hour. In
Britain, too, it comes right at the beginning.
The Question Hour serves two other
purposes. It provides back-benchers with an opportunity to probe the
intelligence and honesty of senior Ministers, even the Prime Minister. It is an
occasion which all members may enjoy and benefit from. There is likely to be
something for everyone without having to listen to long speeches. It also needs
to be remembered that a Minster personally handles very few of the day-to-day
decisions which are taken by his civil servants in his name. These decisions
are, of course, made in a way which the official thinks conforms to ministerial
policy. A question about one of these decisions brings the case on to the
Minister’s desk. The decision may have been taken at quite a low level in the
department. It now is looked at by the senior members of the department -- the
Secretary as well as the Minister. But the fact that the Minister has to give
the answer in a full House and to be prepared for supplementaries helps in
keeping him on his toes.
The crucial importance of the right
to information is not adequately appreciated. The right to information carries
the right to question and, by implication, to control and direct. An interesting story comes to mind
and deserves to be retold. Winston Churchill is said to have asked Lord
Mountbatten only one question when the latter sought his advice about whether
or not he should accept Governor-Generalship of India following independence: “Would
you have the right to information?” When Mountbatten replied yes, Churchill
said; “Fine. Go ahead.” India’s President enjoys the same right. Alas, however,
it has seldom been exercised. Rajen Babu, India’s first President, is known to
have exercised it. But he ceased to do so when he discovered that it was
beginning to sour his relations with Nehru. Mr B.D. Jatti, as Acting President,
exercised it in 1978 and created a sensation and a major problem for the Janata
Government which then wanted him to sign an ordinance to dismiss nine State
Governments.
Parliament’s right to information
has enabled members over the years to bring to light through questions some
sensational scandals in Government’s functioning. Prominent among these have
been the Jeep scandal, the Mundhra affair which led to the resignation of T.T.
Krishnamachari as Finance Minister, the Serajuddin case which led to the exit
of K.D. Malaviya from the Cabinet, the Tulmohan Ram affair and, lately, the Kuo
oil deal. During the British regime, S. Satyamurthi of the Congress Party, for
instance, became a terror through his probing questions. All in all, both the
Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha may not have the power to bend or break the Government,
especially where it has a two-thirds majority. But it has the power to
influence the Government by exposing its weaknesses and acts of omission and
commission. This is vital if one remembers that the ultimate power in our
democratic system rests with the people through the ballot box. Parliament has a key role. But this role needs to be fully
grasped and exploited.---INFA
(Copyright, India News & Feature
Alliance)
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Providing Jobs: IS GOVT REALLY SERIOUS?, By Dhurjati Mukherjee, 25 October 2023 |
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Open Forum
New Delhi, 25 October
2023
Providing Jobs
IS GOVT REALLY SERIOUS?
By Dhurjati Mukherjee
It was indeed encouraging to hear that India’s impetus in
the tech and digit manufacturing sector will create as many as 50 lakh jobs in
the next three years. This was pointed out by Minister of State for IT and Electronics
Rajeev Chandrasekhar, at the Right to Excellence Tech Summit 2023, held last
month by The Times of India group. Dealing with the success of ‘Made in India’
programmes, he referred to the iPhone 15 unit and the Micron ground-breaking
$2.8 billion semiconductor plant in Gujarat.
“We are one of the fastest growing digital economies in the
world and are encouraging companies to move supply chains to India,” he said
and added the target is to hit $300 billion turnover in electronics by
2025.Companies such as Apple, Micron and others are looking for trustworthy
partners and economies, he exuberated confidence. However, while it can’t be
denied that the country has an edge in the tech sector, it is a fact that huge,
automated plants cannot solve the problem of unemployment, as these are
not in a position to provide jobs as per the increasing requirement.
With State elections being announced and political parties
announcing list of candidates, the Congress and members of INDIA bloc are focussing
on unemployment in a big way. In fact, joblessness is a critical issue that
continues to challenge the economic landscape of India. As one of the world’s
most populous nations with a diverse workforce, fluctuations in the
unemployment rate have far-reaching implications for the country’s growth and
development. The question arises what is the current unemployment rate in
India? Will the term ‘jobless growth’, which we have been hearing for quite a
few years, continue and for how long? When will women become a significant part
of the workforce?
Though the latest data indicates a glimmer of hope, as
India’s unemployment rate has recently declined. According to the National
Sample Survey (NSSO), the unemployment rate for individuals aged 15 years and
above in urban areas decreased to 6.8 percent during January-March 2023 from
8.2 percent a year ago, there is no need to be complacent. According to
the recent Bloomberg report that references data from the Centre for
Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) for July, the overall unemployment rate
in India was 7.95 percent as of July this year and has been calculated at 8.44
percent in August. Thus, all talk of the economy strengthening has not been
reflected in the creation of jobs.
This apart, the recent weather patterns across the country
have brought about significant changes in economic conditions. Given that rainfall
has covered large parts of India, impacting nearly half of the agricultural
land, expectations of higher farm production have risen. It is expected that
this development has the potential to contribute to the overall economic
growth. However, despite the boost in the agricultural sector due to improved
rains, there has been a notable drop in demand for labour from the
non-agricultural sector in rural areas during July.
As a result, the number of rural labourers seeking
employment has decreased, leading to a decline in the rural employment rate.
The labour force in rural India experienced a reduction of approximately five
million individuals. This decline was also witnessed in urban areas, indicating
a broader economic weakness that demands attention. These changing trends in
labour demand and employment rates call for thoughtful policy measures to
address the prevailing economic challenges and ensure sustainable growth both in
rural and urban areas.
According to a recent study by Azim Premji University’s
State of Working India, employment related data show that the resilience of the
job market, particularly for women and young graduates, has lagged compared to
the growth of the overall economy. The unemployment rate in 2021-22 was just
6.6 percent, which was just two percentage points lower than the same in
2019-20. However, an analysis by the SWI report revealed a structural
deterioration in the nature of women’s employment, which has largely been driven
by self-employment, particularly in the category of unpaid work.
Therefore, it may be concluded that the job market for
women hasworsened, and this trend has continued till the end-2022. The monthly
earnings are higher than both 2019-20 and 2020-21. But these earnings of Rs
12.089 in 2021-22 was lower by 2 percent than the same in 2017-18, the year the
government began to present annual employment data. It is thus not surprising
that political parties are rushing to tailor fiscal policies to provide monthly
income support to women in different States. Experts are unanimous in stating
that India’s transformation in the job market has lagged the growth in
GDP.
Though the thrust on manufacturing may yield dividends for
the economy, job creation may be a far cry. There has to be some special effort
to identify the labour-intensive sectors and give special benefits considering
the number of labour/employees they recruit. In fact, there needs to be a
comprehensive plan with incentives, and this must be formulated by the Centre
and sent to all the States for implementation.
The other important thing is the need to fill up vacancies
of teachers in schools and colleges spread across the country. Most States are
financially distressed and, as such, do not want to fill up the vacant posts.
Not just in education and health, in others as well like municipalities, village
health centres and hospitals and even panchayats, there are huge vacancies in
most States. Providing them jobs would surely bring down the unemployment rate.
Another important area is with regard to MGNREGS where
funds provided are hardly capable of providing employment for 35 days or so
with the current wage prevailing in the respective States. Most State
governments pay less than the minimum wage rate and try to provide employment
for 40-45 days whereas the scheme is destined to generate employment for 100
days a year. When governments can beautify cities, build huge convention
centres, modernise airports, should not allocation for this programme be
enhanced on a priority basis?
There have also been suggestions by a large section of
economists and developmental experts on starting an urban employment scheme to
bridge the huge gap here. Such a scheme would augur well as those given say 50
or 60 days of assured employment could be gainfully used in various areas – be
it in the municipalities, electricity boards or in government offices. Though
the ruling dispensation is yet to react to this proposal, it is necessary that
a concentrated effort be made to put pressure on the government.
Providing employment to our increasing workforce is crucial
for socio-economic and political stability. Unless the young generation is
gainfully engaged, there would be repercussions that may destabilise the social
order. This sadly may happen and worse the political leadership is taking
advantage of it. With Opposition parties harping on joblessness and hollow
promises of the BJP at Centre during the upcoming assembly polls, it would be
worthwhile to see what priority is given to it by those who come to power.
Enough of talk and little action. ---INFA
(Copyright, India News & Feature
Alliance)
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Cash-for-Vote Scam: JILTED LOVE, HENRY & POWER OF GREED, By Poonam I Kaushish, 24 October 2023 |
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Political Diary
New Delhi,
24 October 2023
Cash-for-Vote
Scam
JILTED LOVE, HENRY & POWER OF
GREED
By Poonam I Kaushish
A swanky new crime
thriller has political Delhi agog spiced by jilted love, expensive gifts,
luxurious holidays, threats, monetary favours, big business topped by a
tug-of-war over Henry, a Rottweiler’s custody. The “Cash for Question” scam
which has engulfed Mamta’s TMC MP Mahua Moitra is a classic case of love gone
sour, swooning over Henry or a tip of iceberg, either way it exposes our
fallacious tryst with morality and Power of Greed. Sic.
It all started with
BJP MP Dubey accusing Moitra of “asking questions in Lok Sabha for cash and
gifts from Dubai-based businessman Hiranandani, demanding her immediate
suspension from the House. Speaker Birla has sent it to the House Ethics
Committee which has summoned both Thursday. Mahua retaliated by filing a
defamation case against Dubey and ex-partner Supreme Court lawyer Dehadrai accusing
them of extracting “political and personal vendetta.”
The matter took a turn
with Hiranandani sending a sworn affidavit to the Committee endorsing the
allegations stating “she quickly wanted to make a name ….using the shortest
route to fame by personally attacking Prime Minister Modi and had given him her
Parliament login password.” It’s another
matter that he had earlier denied the allegations by saying he has nothing to
do with politics.
Despondency or
revulsion aside, what’s so special about this case which we already haven’t
witnessed in 2011, 2005, 1996 and 1993? Recall in December 2005 a sting
operation by two journalists showed 11 MPs taking cash for raising questions in
Parliament. They were immediately expelled and in 2011 charge-sheeted by
police.
Earlier on 20 July
1993 a CPM MP moved a No Confidence Motion against Narasimha Rao’s minority
Congress Government. The Congress had 251 of 528 Lok Sabha MPs, but it defeated
the motion with 265 votes by ‘garnering’ 14 missing votes.
Remember JMM MP Suraj
Mandal who in 1996 filed a complaint with CBI alleging 14 MPs including him were
paid over Rs. 3 crores for voting Congress.
In an iconic speech in Lok Sabha said he: “Which MP does not take money…
I know the people who have made money from coal and iron extracted…taken
donations, money in thailis and gathris…
Adding, “Do saand ke beech bachchre ko
kyon la rahe ho?” (referring to Congress and BJP). His speech was heard in
pin-drop silence. None protested. How
could they? He was only speaking the truth.
Wring your hands all
you want, but that does not take away from the fact that absence of probity at
all levels of public life is common knowledge and morality, honesty and
integrity are words non-existent in the political vocabulary.
The latest
cash-for-query scam only highlights the deep malaise that affects our political
system. In fact, the under-belly of power politics has become more shameless,
rotten, ugly and raw to the gutter level. Fame and power at any cost no matter
what it takes. Forget Constitutional morality.
Today, it suits the
ruling BJP to go to town raving and ranting, appear horrified, adopt a
holier-than-thou attitude and profess to uphold the best tenets of
Parliamentary democracy. Sic. Even as Opposition INDIA bloc maintains pin drop
silence and Moitra’s TMC plays deaf and dumb, for reasons best known to it.
Arguably, in a milieu
wherein large suitcases are proving too small to stuff political skeletons, the
moot point is: How can our right Honourables ‘sell’ the dignity and honour of
Parliament for money? Worse, there is no remorse on an issue which impinges on
the essence, dignity and credibility of Parliament? When will our netagan stop their immoral dhanda? Who is the culprit in whose
eyes? Had our MPs gone in for some soul-cleansing, taken timely action and
stemmed the rot in 1993, 1996, 2005, 2011, 2023 would not have happened.
But it did. Bluntly,
because politics continues to be all about money, honey. Whereby,
buying-selling of votes is on auto-mode happening all the time. Wads of notes
are exchanged at a drop of a hat. It’s open secret that in the business of
democracy everything comes for a price including politicians. It happens all
the time, where wads of green dictate political discourse. And going to jail is
fast becoming a badge of honour!
Today we live in an
era, where public morality and practical politics has acquired a particularly
grotesque dimension whereby nine out of ten cases go unreported. Confessed a seasoned politician: Is hamam me hum sab nange hain. Na BJP mein hain danav, na Congresss mein
devta. An honest MP is one who is not caught.”
Succinctly remarked an
INDIA MP, “BJP is hurting because we are raising uncomfortable questions about
Adani, Modi’s crony… they are only settling political scores, it has nothing to
do with being corrupt or clean. Law will take its course but the main verdict
comes from the electorate.” Conveniently, forgetting that an electoral victory
does not erase moral turpitude.
So unlike 1951 when MP
Mudgal was charged with dubious dealings with the Bombay Bullion Exchange and had
taken Rs 1000 each on two occasions to ask questions suggested by it. He had
also asked for Rs 20,000 from its President reportedly for preparing a pamphlet
and memorandum.
Interestingly, Prime
Minister Nehru himself investigated the matter and said in Lok Sabha, “I met
him twice but the explanation he gave me was not satisfactory. … His conduct is
highly derogatory and highly objectionable.”
However, Mudgal pre-empted his expulsion and resigned, thereby setting a
benchmark for accountability of legislators.
What next? The issue
is not Dubey vs Mohua for both need to
remember Mark Twain. Said he, “Confession is good for the soul and
bad for the reputation.” That aside, it once
again underscores our politicians are expected to be a notch above ordinary
mortals and hence ‘more equal.’ Time our polity realises people placed in
positions of legislation or power must take extra steps to insure that their
private interests do not compete with their professional duties.
When the leaders
become perpetrators who will judge the guilty? Our netas need to desist from Greed for Power and Power of Greed. Given
that when an undataa becomes a saudagar , the aam aadmi is bound to become
garib!
All in all, the coming
days are crucial. It is in the interest of healthy democracy that unhealthy
precedents are not set. Parliamentary democracy can succeed only when rules of
the game are followed honestly.
The success of the
investigation into the cash-for-vote scam and bringing the guilty to book would
be a much-needed course correction. Perhaps chart a new dimension in upholding
the best tenets of Parliamentary morality and probity.
Our netagan need to remember a home-truth:
Public accountability is indispensable in a democratic set-up. With power comes
responsibility. Time for our leaders to wake up from their deep slumber of self
conceit and deception of money hai to
power hai! ---- INFA
(Copyright, India News
& Feature Alliance)
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High MSP More Populist: FEWER FARMERS BENEFIT!, By Shivaji Sarkar, 23 October 2023 |
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Economic Highlights
New
Delhi, 23 October 2023
High MSP More Populist
FEWER FARMERS BENEFIT!
By Shivaji Sarkar
The
minimum support price (MSP) in the context of need of the farmers is turning
into more of populism for elections. The MSP for wheat has been increased by
7.1 percent, the highest year-on-year rise since 2012-13. Would this have an impact
on the poll-bound States – Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Rajasthan and
Telangana?
One
interesting aspect is the changes in their economy during the past five years.
In short, they have grown faster than the India average since 2018. India’s GDP
has grown at compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.4 percent between to
210-19 and 2022-23.This is good for the farmer, but not in tune with the
objective of the MSP, i.e. to sustain remunerative farming.
The MSP
is not meant for populism. The farmers must get a price that matches
inflation but if it is reset higher, it could itself become the trigger for inflation.
The new MSP for wheat is at Rs 2275. The market price of wheat is Rs 2700. In
reality, number of MSP beneficiary farmers are coming down. The Congress, the
principal challenger to the BJP in Madhya Pradesh, has promised Rs 2600 and
later Rs 3000.
Sounds
good alright but it can impact the economy as instead of being a stabiliser for
prices, it could lead to an inflationary situation. It should not be used as
vote garnering tool. The MSP itself was carved out in a way that it does not
become inflationary. The objective was lost as inflation defied logic and MSP
revision is an annual process.
India’s
inflation targeting also means that monetary policy has to be forward looking
in nature. Data from Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) households survey show that
both current and perception next three-month outlook has come down
significantly, compared to two years back. How escalation of Hamas-Israel
conflict and possible rise in oil prices would impact the economy needs to be
watched.
The RBI
assesses that a spike in food inflation could reverse the falling trajectory of
inflation expectations. The curious case of MSP is that while it is announced
for all crops - and gets all people on both sides involved in frantic arguments
on the price increase being inadequate (if low) or inflationary (if high) - for
all practical purposes, the MSP is effective for rice and wheat alone. Hence,
while the MSP of maize can be increased, the Central government is not there to
buy the crop. Or, for that matter, tur or urad.
This has
caused a mismatch in production and the country has become laggard in pulses
and oilseeds. The country has not been able to create a system that could
balance production different agricultural products. Palm oil production in some
areas has hit the ecological balance.
Agriculture
is critical but complex. More the farmers’ problems have been tried to be
solved since the Green Revolution, the more it has become acute. Despite
efforts dependence on the farm sector has not come down.
India
has largely remained an agriculture economy. The workers’ share in agriculture
remains very high in the states of MP, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana.
This is because high value services such as industry or services are less
labour intensive. Even Telangana with 47.3 percent engaged in agriculture ranks
fifth against national average of 45.8 percent in 2022-23, according to the Centre
for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE). This is despite that Telangana has better
employment in services most northern states.
Chhattisgarh
ranks first with 60 percent employed in agriculture, Madhya Pradesh third with
59 percent and Rajasthan fifth by share of agriculture in employment. Rajasthan
employs about 25 percent in construction more than the average of southern
states.
Overall
agricultural households, employing at least one person earning Rs 4000 a year
as per Situational Assessment Survey (SAS), remains very high suggesting
dependence on the farm sector. These households are not farmers. Almost
three-fourth of Rajasthan, 74 percent, are in this category, followed by
two-third in Chhattisgarh, 66.8 percent; Madhya Pradesh 66.4 percent and half
in Telangana 54.2 percent. The national average is 54 percent.
An
interesting aspect is that the GDP of the four States have grown at a rate
higher than India growth rate of 3.4 percent. Rajasthan has CAGR of 5.6
percent, second fastest growing among 21 states for which CMIE compiled gross
state development product (GSDP) data. Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh
ranked seventh, 10th and 11th respectively. These states,
however, have not become richer. Per capita GSDP ranking at Rs 99,111 was 13th for
Rajasthan; Madhya Pradesh with Rs 74,653, 18th and Chhattisgarh with
Rs 96,242 at 14th respectively. They all are lower than India
average of Rs 115,746. Only Telangana has per capita income of Rs 191,244
higher than the national average.
However,
in gross value addition (GVA) the share of agriculture in Madhya Pradesh and
Rajasthan is double the national average of 15.1 percent at over 32 percent and
Chhattisgarh 16.9 percent, because of high mining activities.
So,
would the higher MSP really benefit them? That may not be. For instance, MP in
2022-23 rabi season procured 46.02 lakh tonnes against 128 lakh tonnes a year
back. Rajasthan farmers have been selling wheat at a price Rs 1684 per quintal
against the MSP of Rs 1925 per quintal in 2020. The variation is due to
gradation in quality of wheat. So many farmers may not be getting the benefit
of the high MSPs announced by the government.
According
to the Food Corporation of India (FCI), there has been a reduction in
procurement of wheat and rice over the past few years. Rice procurement reached
a high of 602 lakh tonnes in 2020-21 after which it declined to 576 LT in
2021-22 and further to 533 lakh tonnes in 2022-23.
Despite
higher procurement prices, actual purchases from the farmers have come down in
different states. The number of farmers benefited as per Press Information
Bureau (PIB) is 591093 in Madhya Pradesh and 816 in Rajasthan for wheat during
2022-23. In 2021-22, 49.2 lakh farmers growing wheat were
benefitted and about 21.29 Lakh farmers have benefited from wheat
procurement in the current year, as per PIB releases.
This
makes evident that the MSP may have more publicity value than actual benefits
to the farmers. The electoral benefits too could be limited to that extent. It
may not be a large vote catcher. It also calls for widening the procurements to
other foodgrains to ensure fairer prices for the farmers.---INFA
(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)
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‘Cash For Query’ Scam: TMC MP DEFIANT, PARTY SILENT, By Insaf, 21 October 2023 |
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Round
The States
New Delhi, 21 October 2023
‘Cash For Query’ Scam
TMC MP DEFIANT, PARTY SILENT
By Insaf
Will West Bengal’s TMC’s firebrand MP Mahua Moitra
weather the political storm in the ‘cash for query’ scandal involving her?
Accusations by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey will be heard by Lok Sabha Ethics
Committee on October 26, along with advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai during their
‘oral evidence’. Dubey alleged Moitra and Hiranandani group planned to
specifically target Gautam Adani through series of parliamentary questions; he
has ‘irrefutable evidence’ given by Dehadrai. He also wrote to IT Minister
Vaishnaw, seeking probe into IP addresses of her log-in credentials for the
House. Hiranandani Group promptly denied allegations of bribing Moitra, but on
Thursday last in a signed affidavit CEO Darshan Hiranandani admitted she gave
him her “parliament login and password so he could post questions directly on
her behalf when required’! Moitra, he said realised that the only way to attack
Prime Minister Modi was by attacking Adani. Besides, Moitra made frequent
demands, such as “expensive luxury items, support on renovation of her
officially allotted Delhi bungalow, travel expenses, holidays, etc, apart from
providing secretarial and logistical help for her travels in India and
abroad.”
From day one, Moitra is in denial mode, but State
leadership is quiet. With Darshan’s affidavit (a setback), she issued a
statement alleging ‘it was drafted by some half-wit in PMO,’ and her ‘very dear
friend’ was “threatened with a total shutdown of all their businesses…They were
told they will be finished, CBI would raid them all and all PSU bank financing
would be stopped immediately.” This, she added, ‘is usual modus operandi of BJP
government or rather Adani’s government run by BJP’. Earlier, she petitioned
Delhi HC seeking to restrain Dubey, Dehadrai and many social media platforms
and media houses from posting, circulating or publishing any alleged fake and
defamatory content against her. Besides, she requested Vaishnaw to release
details of locations and log-in credentials of all MPs with Call Data Records
(CDRs). Amidst this high voltage drama, there’s stoic silence from TMC and
supremo Mamata Banerjee’s end. It’s said Moitra ‘should be left to clean the
mess she has created, if at all she has created it.’ All eyes will be on Ethics
Committee’s verdict: whether there’s breach of parliamentary privilege’,
violation of national security and she be suspended from the House? This for
Moitra won’t be ‘a joke!’
* * * *
Karnataka
Churning
Trouble brews in Janata Dal (Secular) amidst high
drama. On Thursday last, national President H D Deve Gowda sacked Karnataka
state President C M Ibrahim, dissolved the working committee and appointed son
and former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy as ad hoc President. This after
Ibrahim on Monday last opposed the party’s decision to align with the BJP for
the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and instead voiced backing INDIA bloc as well as
announced forming a core committee to chart the party’s future. However, senior
Gowda asserted all party state units, including Tamil Nadu, Kerala and
Maharashtra, had consented to align with the BJP and that ‘Ibrahim has been
removed as per the party Constitution and other office-bearers shall be
appointed after another round of consultation. Ibrahim has threatened to take
legal action and even write to Election Commission as there’s no provision to
appoint an ad hoc president. Saying he will ‘remain with JD(S)’, Ibrahim
demanded the order be withdrawn as it showed JD(S) remained a “family party”;
he will travel across the state to “rally against dynastic politics” and
claimed ‘most of MLAs are with him’.
* * * *
MP Seat-Sharing Spat
Preparations for Madhya Pradesh poll expose chinks in INDIA
bloc unity. With Congress naming its candidate for Bijawar in its first list of
44 candidates, SP is livid as the seat was won by its candidate in 2018 polls. Akhilesh
Yadav is thus livid with Congress for not conceding a single seat so far in the
State. On Thursday last, he warned the grand old party of getting similar treatment
in biggest state, Uttar Pradesh and seat-sharing formula won’t be applied for 2024.
Said he, “We wouldn’t have gone to Congress meetings or given them a list of
seats we want to contest, nor would we have taken their calls.” Adding Congress
UP President Rai, a ‘chirkut’ and its leaders were in cahoots with
BJP. Rai reacted: If you want to defeat BJP, then support Congress in MP, just as
we supported SP in Ghosi by-poll.’ Not simple. SP has declared candidates on 33
seats already. With Akhilesh saying ‘what’s wrong? Congress went back on its
word of leaving six constituencies for SP nominees in a seat-sharing agreement!’
He must and in fact all others must remember tit-for-tat is poor rather
defeating strategy.
* * * *
AAP’s
Joy & Fear
There’s both good and bad news for Delhi’s AAP. On Tuesday last, its MP, Raghav Chadha got
relief from Delhi High Court, as it said he could continue staying in his
government bungalow, setting aside an order by Patiala House Court. Chadha had
challenged a trial court order that lifted an interim order, which allowed
Rajya Sabha secretariat to start eviction proceedings, following his
suspension, which he claimed was ‘selective targeting’ as he was a vocal Opposition
MP. He can enjoy the house till the trial court decides his application. This
apart, Supreme Court has sought a response from RS secretariat on his petition
challenging his indefinite suspension from the Upper House. The bad news is
that CBI and ED have told the top court they are contemplating making AAP an
accused in the corruption and money laundering cases linked to Delhi’s scrapped
excise policy. This was made known while the bench was hearing bail pleas of
AAP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Sisodia, arrested in excise policy scam.
When the court sought clarification whether there will be separate charges
against AAP in cases being probed by CBI and ED, it was told that charges in
corruption and money laundering cases will be different but for same offence.
If this happens, then AAP may find itself in trouble with the EC, though rules
are vague. Guess, AAP will need to cross the bridge when it comes to it. Or
earlier?
* * * *
UP ‘Revenge Politics’
‘King Khan of Rampur’, senior SP leader Azam Khan being
put behind bars triggers oft-heard ‘anti-Muslim’ charge against the BJP. Wednesday
last, Khan, wife Tazeen Fatima and son Abdullah were sentenced by a special
court to 7 years’ jail in Abdullah’s 2019 fake birth certificate case. Four
years ago, a BJP MLA had filed an FIR alleging ‘Abdullah wasn’t eligible to contest
Assembly polls in 2017 as he was 24 years (birth certificate being 1 January
1993), and Khan ‘used his influence and got another certificate prepared in
which his age was changed to September 30,1990, making him eligible. He won
that election.” The party leadership wrote on X: ‘The public is watching and
understanding the game being played to scare an entire section of society by
targeting Khan ji and his family.” And said bluntly: “It’s a big conspiracy. Party
insiders in BJP say because he’s a Muslim, he’s facing such punishment…” “there’s
a difference between a decision and justice”, reacted Khan adding ‘since
yesterday the town knew the verdict.” Incidentally this is the 4th
case in past year that Khan has been convicted. In this case, he’s found guilty
under various IPC sections including cheating, forgery and criminal conspiracy.
Will he have influence to get himself and family out on bail, is a big
question? ---INFA
(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)
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