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Economic Highlights
Five Soldiers Killed: JAMMU, CAUSE FOR CONCERN, By Insaf, 23 December 2023 |
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Round The States
New Delhi, 23
December 2023
Five Soldiers Killed
JAMMU, CAUSE FOR CONCERN
By Insaf
Alarm
bells ring in the Jammu region of J&K. Developments in its districts and
the city itself are turning out be of serious concern for North Block. On
Thursday last, five Army personnel were killed and two injured after terrorists
ambushed two Army vehicles in Poonch district. It is said the terrorists,
perhaps three or four, took their position on hill tops and chose a blind curve
to target the Army vehicles. Worse, they reportedly ‘mutilated the bodies of at
least two soldiers and took weapons of some of them’. While the security forces
have launched a massive cordon and search operation in the forest area, the
incident is the second in last two months. This ambush comes weeks after a major gunfight in Bajimaal forest area in
nearby Rajouri district that left five Army personnel, including two captains,
dead. Clearly, the rising number of terror attacks in Rajouri-Poonch
region suggests that terrorists are getting emboldened, there is need to strengthen
intelligence and security setup in the region and time the focus shifts from
Kashmir.
* * * * * * *
This
apart, a crackdown of a different kind is taking place in J&K. Not against
terrorists or those harbouring militants, but against Rohingyas, who have taken
shelter in Jammu following persecution in Myanmar. Tuesday last, Jammu police
led a day-long drive to arrest/detain people ‘harbouring Rohingya immigrants
and facilitating their stay with illegal papers’. Action’s been taken against
over 50 people and dozen-odd FIRs registered ‘posing potential threats to
national security and socio-economic fabric of the UT.’ Some elements, said
IGP, ‘have been involved in facilitating illegal settlement of Rohingyas, and
other than security concerns, these have potential to strain local resources.’
The locals in 30-odd settlements, he added ‘have provided their plots of land
to settle the outside immigrants. We are checking and identifying these
facilitators, also availing government benefits for them…They have taken it as
a business.’ So far number of documents like Aadhaar cards, ration cards, voter
ID cards, revenue records, rent deeds and passbooks besides mobile phones and
SIM cards have been recovered. Hope innocent people, as in the past, are not
wrongly targeted. And that Jammu’s security concerns are promptly addressed
holistically.
* * * * * * *
Delhi Boo To ED
Delhi
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has said a big boo to the ED and stuck to his
schedule of meditation instead. Summoned (second time) for questioning on
Thursday last in the excise policy case, he said it was ‘not based upon any
objective or rational yardstick but purely as a propaganda’ and to ‘create
sensational news in the final few months of much-awaited parliamentary
elections.’ In his reply to ED, he wondered about the timing-- on eve of his
departure for a 10-day Vipassana session, (he’s attending annually for past 25
years), which was ‘widely published and largely circulated’ in media and
officially announced’. Worse, he asked who was being summoned: “a witness or a
suspect” or as “chief minister, Delhi or AAP national convener”? The summons
must be ‘revoked, withdrawn, and recalled,’ for these he alleged were at
‘behest of political rivals who wish to silence the opposition’s voice’ against
the Centre. Importantly, AAP has claimed these ‘were not in consonance with
law’ and it would take ‘legally correct’ steps. Nagging suspense alright?
* * * * * * *
Coordination
Amiss In TN
The infamous Governor-Chief Minister row sees no let-up even
amid unprecedented rains causing havoc in southern Tamil Nadu. Efforts from
defence, national/state disaster response forces are underway, but sadly there’s
lack of coordination between Governor Ravi and Chief Minister Stalin, with both
holding separate meetings for rescue and relief works. The region has come to a
standstill, 10 people died and families and trainload of people stranded for
days. While government listed relief works undertaken, it blamed the IMD for ‘wrong’
forecast and not ‘sufficiently forewarning of what was
coming’; asked Centre for maximum choppers and Stalin went to Delhi instead to
seek more aid. Governor Ravi on other hand held a meeting at Raj Bhavan, wherein
it was said that agencies ‘have no clear idea’ about the exact resource
requirements and priorities in deployment, due to lack of coordination and a ‘lack
of appreciation’ of overall situation. Ravi asked agencies to mobilise
additional resources and assured he would facilitate more resources from
Central agencies. Regrettably, government representatives skipped the meeting!
When will this storm settle down?
* * * * * * *
Maha Time Schedule
The New Year should see Maharashtra settle some
nagging issues. On Wednesday last, Speaker Narwekar said he sees no hurdle in
issuing an order by 10 January (set by Supreme Court), on petitions filed by
rival factions of Shiv Sena on disqualification of each other’s MLAs, as
hearings have finally concluded. Both SS sides led by Chief Minister Eknath
Shinde and Uddhav Thackeray’s SS-UBT have been heard, but only after a rap by
SC over the long delay. Likewise, Shinde informed the Assembly that a special
session shall be held in February, if necessary, to provide reservation to
Maratha community after reviewing a report of Backward Class Commission. The
government, he assured ‘will establish’ the community is socially and
educationally backward, deserves quota. But Maratha activist Manoj Jarange warned
they won’t wait till then and shall hold protests if quota is not granted
before December 24. A big question mark hangs though on the how the government
will settle controversial Dharavi’s redevelopment plan. The residents of one of
the world’s largest slums are protesting the project and no work has begun these
past six months! Guess, the phrase ‘time is of the essence,’ is not in
government’s dictionary as the three cases reveal.
*
* * * * * *
MP Portrait Row
Madhya Pradesh
Assembly does both ‘right and wrong’, triggering a controversy. India’s first
Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s portrait has been replaced with father of the
Constitution BR Ambedkar’s. Predictably, Congress has charged ruling BJP of
disrespecting the ‘nation builder’. While it welcomed Ambedkar’s portrait in
the House, starting its 1st session, removing Nehru’s it was wrong.
At same time, it failed to notice the replacement, which happened in last
session, in July. Then Speaker had directed replacement of Nehru’s and Gandhi’s
portraits as these ‘were getting worn out and be restored.’ But as Ambedkar’s
125th birth anniversary was being observed, he directed to put it in Nehru’s
place and Nehru’s portrait be kept ‘in a respectful manner in the library’s
Gandhi-Nehru section.’ An X post of Congress read: “If BJP had honest
intentions, it could have placed Nehru’s photo along with Gandhi and Ambedkar.
But it’s BJP culture to disrespect freedom fighters and the nation-builder and
therefore, it has removed the photo of Nehru.” The big picture alright! ---INFA
(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)
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The New Kashmir: AN INTERNATIONAL IMPERATIVE, By Prof. (Dr.) D.K. Giri, 22 December 2023 |
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Round The World
New Delhi, 22 December 2023
The New Kashmir
AN INTERNATIONAL IMPERATIVE
By Prof. (Dr.) D.K. Giri
(Secretary General, Assn for
Democratic Socialism)
A day-long conference with an instructive theme “Strengthening
international investment in Kashmir”, was held on 19 December New Delhi. It was
co-hosted by Indian Economic Trade Organisation (IETO) and Kashmir Central.
There were two major panel discussions; one on the political conditions
prevailing in the state after abrogation of Article 370 and the second was
rebuilding the economy by “strengthening international investments”. The latter
which I happened to chair is the focus of this piece.
A couple of words about the organisers, IETO is a private
entrepreneurial agency in promoting Indian trade abroad and facilitating
international investment into India from across the world. It is indeed a
dynamic and vibrant organisation engaged in almost all the economic zones of
the world – South Asia, Africa, Latin America, West Asia, Europe and the
Pacific. It has taken up the cause of Kashmir in terms of raising awareness of the
business community in India and abroad in the immense potential of the state in
absorbing huge investment in multiple sectors.
Kashmir Central is a weekly magazine from the Valley which has been
working for laying out a genuine and authentic narrative in the state. In the recently
published book, “Kashmir: The War of Narratives” the author, who is the
editor of the journal talks about how false narratives have harmed the people
in the Valley and India as a country.
The conference sought to eliminate the mismatch between
politics and economy in India’s foreign policy. I have talked about it for
years since it came out glaringly in my research on the European Union in India
30 years ago. The research has resulted in a book titled ‘The European Union
and India: A Study in North-South Relations’. India’s trade deficit was
more than 60 per cent with the European Union, yet India did not have a robust
policy towards Europe. India’s foreign policy was centred on Pakistan, Soviet
Union (Russia) and China, all because of a tenuous security situation in
Kashmir.
Quite a few Kashmiris also suffered from an overriding
mindset of confusion over its affiliation to India or Pakistan, at the heavy
cost of their economic growth and development. Let me illustrate it with an
anecdote. A few years ago, I escorted a delegation of companies led by
Scandinavian consulting agency called Rud Pedersen Public Affairs Company. It
is fairly a big agency which has just employed the former Swedish Prime
Minister Stefan Loven as its consultant.
At the end of the Kashmir visit, a press-meet was organised
in the Press Club in Srinagar. As the head of the delegation, Morten Pedersen
was sharing his ideas of possible investment by the companies in the state. A
journalist stood up to ask about the opinion of Pedersen on Kashmir’s
geographical location, whether it should be a part of India or Pakistan! As it
was an irrelevant question to an inappropriate person, Pedersen hesitated to
answer. I stepped in to snub the journalist, “the delegation is here to explore
investment and job creation etc, the status of Kashmir was not their concern”.
The journalist should stop harping on the political issue which had to be
settled by the Indian state.
That said, the conference in its two sessions on politics
and economy sought to solve the dichotomy by addressing both the sectors. In
the politics session addressed by eminent and experienced panellists, the
overwhelming opinion was that Parliament endorsed by the Supreme Court has
completed the process of integration of Kashmir into India. Any doubt on its
belongingness was laid to rest forever. The Kashmiris, even those with a
separatist mindset, have reconciled to the reality. Now it was time to build a
new narrative in the country and abroad.
The ruling BJP’s narrative is that Kashmir was ruled by three
families – Indira Gandhi’s, Sheikh Abdullah’s and Mufti’s. These families used
Kashmir for their own vested interests. Internationally, the ‘Islam in danger’
narrative and Pakistan-Turkey connivance fed the mindset of militants, Mullahs
and extremist Islamists subscribing to revivalism. It was also recalled that the
Kashmir issue had weighed heavily on India’s foreign policy because of its
geo-political and religious importance.
The economy of the state was discussed in great depth by
speakers from the bureaucracy, business, academia and civil society. The focus
was on building infrastructure for IT, tourism and other traditional sectors of
economy. Tourism, as is well known has the greatest potential. A tourism expert
as well as a practitioner from Nepal presented a new tourist map connecting the
beautiful spots in the Himalaya corridor spreading from Nepal to Ladakh and Sikkim
and Srinagar, and emphasised that tourism creates grassroots economy by
catering to all sections of society from the state bodies down to the
grassroots like Tongawalla and street shopkeepers.
On innovative tourism, he quoted Dr. Karan Singh, the scion
of the royal family that was at the helm when Kashmir acceded to India. The
Home Minister Amit Shah said in Parliament that in 2022, 1 crore 80 lakh
tourists visited the Valley. On law and order, the violence has conspicuously
reduced. A stable law and order is a pre-condition for any big investment.
On global investment in Kashmir, Indian foreign policy
should make it a top priority. It has so far dealt with Kashmir as a security
issue. Now that the dust has settled in, it should promote Kashmir as an
economic imperative. The Valley has immense potential. Foreign companies would
like to invest in the state for its cold climate, natural beauty and a large
segment of youth population. Kashmiris are good with their hands. If resources
and infrastructure are made available, they would create wonders.
From the security point of view, presence of foreign
companies in the Valley should also draw in international support for the
stability of the state. The investing countries would naturally protect their
business interests. Trouble-mongering countries like Pakistan would not dare
sponsor terrorism anymore. Let us not forget that Pakistan was using military
resources provided by other countries against India.
Kashmir is a perfect case for blending security with the
economy, trade and diplomacy, and for shifting the focus from politics to
economy. At the end of the day, as James Carivilley, the strategist of Bill
Clinton said in 1992, which has become universally popular on the critical
importance of economic strength, “It is the economy, stupid”. ---INFA
(Copyright, India News & Feature
Alliance)
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Towards Destruction of Parliament, By Inder Jit, 19 December 2023 |
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REWIND
New Delhi, 19 December 2023
Towards Destruction of Parliament
By Inder Jit
(Released on 25 August 1987)
Parliament today faces its biggest ever
challenge and crisis. Some of us have deplored its decline over the years. Loud
protests have been voiced over repeated assaults on the two Houses and the
system itself. But last week saw Parliament under brazen attack. In fact, what
came pass has made all those who stand for Parliamentary democracy gravely
anxious about its future. On Saturday morning, I exchanged thoughts on the
subject with some experts, notably Mr S. L. Shakdher, India's leading authority
on Parliament. He candidly said: "Parliamentary democracy provides for
Government by discussion and debate -- and for an orderly struggle for power.
There is no scope in it for violence and for taking issues to the streets. The
system is based on tolerance and a certain willingness on the part of both the
Government and the Opposition to give and take. But what happened last week has
made a mockery of Parliament. Such occurrences will even sound its death knell.
We ignore the development at our peril."
Prof Madhu Dandavate, it may be recalled,
gave notice on Monday last week of the following motion: "That this House,
while welcoming the announcement by the Chief Public Prosecutor of Sweden to
initiate enquiry into the alleged bribes paid by Bofors in the Howitzer deal,
urges the Government to lodge a complaint with the Swedish authorities and seek
a thorough enquiry". The next day, he also gave notice of an adjournment
motion to discuss "the failure of the Union Government to endorse the
appeal of more than 100 MPs to the Chief Public Prosecutor of Sweden to enquire
into the alleged payment of bribes by Bofors ..." The Minister of
Parliamentary Affairs, Mr H.K.L. Bhagat, thereupon said that the Government was
ready for an immediate discussion on Prof. Dandavate's earlier motion. However,
a Muslim League member, Mr G.M. Banatwala, intervened to remind that the House
had already agreed to discuss communal disturbances, a subject which had been
hanging fire for five weeks. The Speaker, Mr Bal Ram Jakhar, then ruled that communalism
was the country's burning issue number one and a discussion on the subject
would get precedence.
The matter ended there for the moment and
the House took up further discussion of the Indo-Sri Lanka Agreement. Prof
Dandavate and other Opposition MPs concluded from the Speaker's ruling that the
motion urging enquiry by the Swedish Public Prosecutor would be up only on
Wednesday or later. (The Business Advisory Committee, which is presided over by
the Speaker, had decided that communal disturbances be discussed thoroughly the
whole of Tuesday and, if necessary, on the next day also.) The discussion on
Indo-Sri Lanka Agreement concluded at 4 p.m. whereupon the House took up
discussion on communal disturbances. But the discussion had gone on for barely
an hour and a half when Mr Bhagwat Jha Azad, Congress-I, proposed out of the
blue that the House should take up the two items listed in the supplementary
agenda, just circulated. The first item related to Prof Dandavate's motion on
Bofors. The second item, moved by Mr Azad, welcomed the Government's efforts to
ascertain facts relating to payments made by Bofors and urged the Joint
Parliamentary Committee to conduct the probe expeditiously.
Taken greatly by surprise, Prof Dandavate
strongly protested against the move as most senior MPs, according to him, had
already left for the day. Furthermore, it was wrong to propose discussion of
the supplementary agenda without adequate notice when the House was busy
holding a serious debate on the communal situation. But Mr Azad and other
Congress-I MPs insisted on taking up the supplementary agenda. Pandemonium
broke out when Mr Azad went a step further and proposed suspension of rules to
push ahead with the discussion. The Opposition again objected. But, to cut a long
story short, Mr Azad's proposal was declared carried by the Deputy Speaker, Mr.
Thambi Durai, who was in the Chair. Prof. Dandavate was next asked by Mr Durai
to move his motion. When the Janata Leader refused to do so on the ground that
it was unfair to rush the resolution, Mr Azad moved his motion at 6.25 p.m.
amidst shouts and counter shouts. Three minutes later, at 6.28 p.m., according
to the Lok Sabha Bulletin, the motion was declared carried by the Deputy
Speaker amid continuing din in which nothing could be heard. House adjourned at
6.30 p.m. as the Opposition MPs walked out.
What precisely went wrong? Lots! In the
first place, there was no occasion for the supplementary agenda to be sprung
upon Prof Dandavate without any prior notice. He should have been spoken to on
the subject and his consent taken, in accordance with established practice and
convention. Secondly, the Deputy Speaker should never have agreed to let Mr
Azad propose suspension of the Rules. True, the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker
are servants of the House and not its masters. But the Presiding officers also
owe a basic responsibility to Parliament as the custodian of Parliamentary
privileges. In the circumstances, the Deputy Speaker should have firmly ruled
against interrupting the discussion on communal disturbances and permitting the
House to take up an important matter without the agreement of the Opposition
seeking such a debate. The rules might permit any Member to move for suspension
of the rules. But the Deputy Speaker should have taken due note of Prof
Dandavate's assertion in the best spirit of Parliamentary democracy: what is
admissible under the rules is not necessarily also advisable.
The Speaker did well to sort out matters
the following day when he ruled that the House and members should adhere to
past conventions and traditions. However, he did not cover himself with glory
when he took a technical view and asserted that no rules had been violated in
the circulation of the supplementary agenda on Tuesday and in the suspension of
the rules on a motion permitted to be moved by the Deputy Speaker. The Speaker
must know that what was done went against all conventions and practices
designed to ensure harmonious functioning of Parliament, its supremacy and
ascendancy. Parliament is sovereign in regard to its functioning, not the
rules. In fact, the two Houses have been given the power to suspend rules for a
purpose: to ensure their functioning in the best national interest in case the
rules are found to come in the way. Incidentally, the Lok Sabha debated on
adjournment motions the Teachers Strike in Calcutta in 1954, firing in Bhangi
Colony in 1957 and the Assam language riots in 1971 overlooking the rules and
procedures. Democracy, it needs to be remembered, is sustained by discussion
and debate, not by shutting these out.
Mr Bhagat, too, did well to make gracious
amends. He conceded in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday that he should have informed
Prof Dandavate earlier in the afternoon that his resolution was coming up for
discussion. He also said it was "a lapse" on his part and that he was
sorry for the same. Nevertheless, there is need for the ruling party to
understand that the arbitrary and dictatorial method used by it to prevent Prof
Dandavate’s a motion from being discussed will only push our Parliamentary
democracy towards destruction. Every reasonable effort must be made by the
ruling party to ensure debate. Heavens would not have fallen if the discussion
had been held a day later on Wednesday, as urged by Mr Indrajit Gupta, CPI. At
any rate, the ruling party has only hurt itself by clumsily and brazenly
blocking Prof. Dandavate’s motion and giving the unfortunate impression that it
was opposed to a probe by the Swedish Public Prosecutor. It would have been
better for it to have allowed a discussion and to oppose Prof. Dandavate’s
potion with arguments. It has also not helped its image by adopting Mr Azad's
motion without any discussion.
Not a little bitterness has also been
caused among the Opposition for what came to pass on Friday when the ruling
party used its majority to "kill" the following resolution moved by
Prof Dandavate: The House urges the Government of India to take the people and
Parliament into confidence in revealing the details about various defence deals
and FERA violations brought out by the recently-published reports and documents
and publish a comprehensive White paper on such defence deals and major FERA
violations since 1980." The Professor’s resolution was to be taken up
after discussion on a resolution on tribal welfare was completed during the
day. But the ruling party decided to extend the discussion and suddenly fielded
another 30 names, notwithstanding the fact that debate on the subject had gone
on for three Fridays, when Private Members' business is taken up. Prof
Dandavate promptly said he had no objection to extending the discussion and
asked that he be allowed a minute at the end to move his resolution so that it
could survive until the next session and not lapse. But the ruling party
refused to oblige and the resolution stood scuttled.
Tactics and tricks are no doubt an
important part of the Parliamentary game. Either side is entitled to try and
catch the other on the wrong foot. Nevertheless, certain basic norms have to be
upheld by the Members themselves or, in the last analysis, by the Presiding
officers. Every consideration should have been extended to Prof Dandavate in
accordance with the spirit and conventions of a healthy democracy. The Deputy
Speaker should have ensured that the ruling party did not set up wrong
precedents and thereby made a mockery of the system. We would do well to recall
what Pandit Pant observed on September 24, 1958. He said: "Everything that
is in this House serves as a precedent for the future. The conventions that we
build are not only for today or tomorrow, not in respect of any particular
Government but also in respect of all that night happen hereafter, whether in
this Parliament or in State Legislature or in connection with the relationship
between the States and the Centre.” Wise words indeed. We can ignore them only
at the cost of Parliament and its future..--- INFA
(Copyright,
News and Feature Alliance)
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Agricultural Productivity: CUTTING EMISSIONS VITAL, By Dhurjati Mukherjee, 20 December 2023 |
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Open Forum
New Delhi, 20 December 2023
Agricultural Productivity
CUTTING EMISSIONS VITAL
By Dhurjati Mukherjee
Increasing
agricultural productivity is undoubtedly a national goal, more so as India is
thinking of emerging as a major producer in this field. With the standard of
living improving, the variety in food consumption is also showing a healthy
trend. But with the increase in population, the need for higher productivity is
critical keeping in view the future requirements. In fact, FAO estimated that
by 2050, the world will need to produce almost 50 percent more food, feed and
biofuel, than it did in 2012. It projected that feeding a world population of
9.3 billion people in 2050 implied that food production in developing countries
must double from that in 2005-07.
Though
this projection may change considering the ground reality and the availability
of land and water, which are already stumbling blocks, not just in India but
many other nations, production undoubtedly needs a big boost. Climate change
may also add significantly to the pressure on availability of natural resources
for farming. Additionally, is the crucial factor of reducing emissions and
ensuring green strategies in farming, one of the key issues before the just
concluded COP28, which wanted reduction “in methane emissions globally” by
2030. This has the potential to impact India severely with its increasing
number of livestock and huge paddy cultivation.
A closer
look suggests that the need for increasing yield in a populous country like
India was realised long back by the renowned agricultural scientist, Dr M. S. Swaminathan.
Agricultural scientists since his time have suggested certain measures which
include double cropping, better rotation of crops, fighting plant diseases and
pests, etc. However, it may be noted that “productivity enhancing
investment in agriculture, however, depends not only on the state of knowledge
but also on conditions governing the adoption of technology; it depends on the
land tenure system which determines how the agricultural produce is divided
between owners of land and agricultural labour; on the terms of trade between
agriculture and industry, which determine the relative cheapness of industrial
inputs vis-a-vis agricultural produce; and on the level of demand of
agricultural produce.”
Though
on the institutional front, the government has been trying in a limited manner
to solve the problems of agriculture through land reforms and, on the
technological front, a modest beginning has been made in motivating farmers to
use of improved implements, seeds, chemicals, manures, etc., much more needs to
be done. Small farmers at the grass-root levels need training and support,
which regrettably is not forthcoming from the local administration.
There is
a crucial problem in most parts of the country with regard to water, which has
been a hindrance to the spread of irrigation facilities and since the time of
Dr Swaminathan the need for sustainable agriculture has been emphasised. But
productivity increase has been seen as intrinsically opposed to, or at best, in
competition with sustainability. The possibility of convergence between higher
productivity and environmental sustainability is, no doubt, a vital challenge
of the day.
The
tenet of environmental sustainability inevitably necessitates the need for
ensuring higher levels of food production without expansion in cropland through
deforestation. Thus, resource use efficiency must be the focal point of
attention in the coming years as it will be logically impossible to attain food
as also nutrition security for a growing population with a sustainable
footprint. This has been well understood and, as per available figures, just
around 11 percent of the overall increase in crop production in the last half a
century can be attributed to the expansion of cropland area.
The more
important aspect is the application of biotechnology, in terms of transgenic
technology to breed crops with higher productivity and better resistance to
biotic and a biotic shocks. Experts have opined that developments in
biotechnology are increasingly being seen as essential to the cause of
environmental sustainability, whether in terms of climate change mitigation or
the reduced use of nitrogenous fertilizers in growing cereal crops. Though the
potential of technology cannot be doubted, the effect on soil fertility remains
a big question.
Another
crucial aspect is the nutritional aspect, more so because a considerable part
of the Indian population is vegetarian. A recent study found that India’s rice
and wheat varieties have lost essential health-friendly minerals and accumulated
toxic elements, showing a decline in grain nutrient make-up that they say
remained largely neglected. According to the study, the concentration of
essential elements including calcium, iron and zinc in grains from present-day
cultivated rice and wheat varieties are between 19 to 45 percent lower than in
grains from the 1960s. However, present-day wheat grains have lower levels of
arsenic and chromium than wheat from the 1960s, as per the study, just
published in the journal, Scientific Reports.
Undoubtedly,
the depletion of essential minerals might have adverse health impacts as
calcium is needed for bone formation, iron for haemoglobin and zinc for
immunity and reproductive and neurological health. Increase in protein
consumption is essential and this cannot solely be found in pulses and legumes
but also in milk and eggs, which most vegetarians in the country consume. The
population, particularly children need to be given more calories, proteins
and fat as a move towards providing the population a healthy diet.
While
technology is imperative in boosting productivity, there is need to consider
the environmental aspect and synergy with nature. In India, there are
innumerable small peasants who have a critical role to play in sustainable
agricultural growth through use of natural fertilizers, local
production-consumption cycles, energy and technological sovereignty. Indigenous
knowledge can be equally effective though not as much as integrative science,
but the former could be more sustainably superior if a harmonious relationship
has to be developed with nature.
Though a
section of scientists has maintained that many local practices are
inefficient, it can very well be said that genetic engineering can be
instrumental in preserving some of these practices by upgrading their
mechanisms and making them more resource efficient and productive. In a
country like India, where around 60 percent of labour force is dependent on
agriculture, there has to be a synergy between biotechnology and genetic
engineering, on the one hand, and indigenous knowledge on the other, to ensure
environmental sustainability.
Apart
from this, farming can’t be made high cost and capital intensive as a
significant section are small farmers and resort to traditional methods of
cultivation. Alternative agriculture is no doubt the need of the day, and this must
incorporate the country’s traditional knowledge and practices, combined with
appropriate low-cost technologies. The policy makers need to keep this in mind
along with the backdrop of protecting nature, reducing emissions and ensuring
environmental sustainability. A holistic strategy will help in the long run.---INFA
(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)
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Government Vs Opposition: TIME TO BREAK LOGJAM, By Poonam I Kaushish, 19 December 2023 |
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Political Diary
New Delhi, 19 December 2023
Government Vs
Opposition
TIME TO BREAK LOGJAM
By Poonam I Kaushish
It’s the season of surprises with
BJP appointing unknown, faceless and low key MLAs as Chief Ministers in Madhya
Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. But the element of bombshell didn’t end
there. Shocking scenes were
played out in sanitized Parliament’s Lok Sabha when two intruders jumped from
the visitor’s gallery into the chamber, desk-hopping, deploying coloured smoke
from canisters and raising slogans against authoritarianism till they were
overpowered by MPs and House marshals Wednesday 13 December. Succinctly, another
security breach reminiscent of the terror attack on Parliament on the same day
2001.
Predictably all hell broke loose with Opposition’s INDIA
bloc demanding Home Minister Shah’s statement on the serious security lapse and
Treasury Benches refusing to do so, notwithstanding Speaker Birla making clear
“Government cannot intervene in responsibilities of Lok Sabha secretariat’s
purview. Security inside House is under me.” Suggesting Government should not
be held accountable.
Already, Delhi Police
has arrested all 6 culprits and slapped the stringent anti-terror law Unlawful
Activities (Prevention) Act on them who confessed it was to draw attention to
unemployment, farmers issue and Manipur violence. Even as police look into the
larger conspiracy behind the incident, their preliminary submission is that the
“mastermind” wished to create “anarchy” in the country.
Naturally this failed to satisfy Opposition resulting in another
shocker for them: 78 Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs were suspended yesterday for
“misconduct”, staging protests, displaying playcards, rushing in to the well and disobeying Chair’s directions for the remaining part of
the winter session which ends Friday. This includes Congress leader of the
House, senior TMC, DMK, RJD leaders etc. With 14 suspended last week this
totals 92 Right Honourables.
Certainly, Opposition has a point, “Our demand is Shah make
a statement in Parliament but Prime Minister Modi prefers to speak to a
newspaper and Home Minister to a TV channel on Parliament’s security breach but
refuses to speak in the House which is
the correct forum for them to speak.”
Prime Minister Modi brushed this aside advising Opposition against
any “vaad-vivaad” (debate) or “pratirodh” (protest) over the breach. “The
gravity of the incident should not be underestimated. Speaker has been taking
steps needed with all seriousness….Investigative agencies are inquiring
strictly. Let investigations be completed before any discussion is held. Efforts
should be made to look for a solution with a collective spirit,” appearing to
suggest the Opposition should suspend its protests.
BJP added its two bits by trying to connect some of the
protestors to political outfits arrayed with Opposition and with at least one
of them having earlier participated in demonstrations against farm laws.
But the Opposition refused to heed and obtusely continues
to display lung power, accusing the Government of shunning debate to escape
questions over role of the BJP Parliamentarian who
recommended the two canister-carrying youths secure Lok Sabha passes to the
visitors’ gallery.
Questionably, it
stands to reason that before Parliament debate the breach our Right Honourables
should study the findings of the investigation committee set up by the Home
Ministry. The break-in calls for an informed debate whereby security concerns
of all members can be addressed.
Certainly, protests
within and outside Parliament are legitimate but this is not to make a case for
boorish or unruly behaviour in both Houses of Parliament. By refusing to do so,
tantamounts to dereliction of duty as it is an avoidable confrontation. As MPs
they owe it to their constituents to discuss, debate and legislate issues of
vital interest to them. For even as Opposition have their say, Government has
its way.
Besides, even as INDIA block displays its lung power amidst
shouts of dictatorship, bulldozing Opposition and death of democracy, they fail
to remember 15 March 1989 when 63 lawmakers were suspended from Parliament during
Congress Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi era over tabling of the Justice Thakkar
Commission of Inquiry on Indira Gandhi’s assassination.
With more than 400 MPs, the Congress Government then
enjoyed a brute majority, much like BJP now. The only difference being then the
suspension was for three days, today it for remainder of Parliament’s session.
Remarked a senior BJP leader acidly, “If Congress claims that suspension of its
MPs is a black day for democracy, who set the 89 benchmark?”
What next? Amidst the continuing logjam and penchant for
notching up brownie points, all conveniently brush under the carpet that Parliament
is a sacred symbol of our democracy. Any violation of its dignity is a serious
issue. The onus is on both Government and Opposition to ensure smooth running
of both Houses.
Further, floor managers of both sides need to reach a
compromise so that Parliament can function smoothly. This can happen only in a climate of mutual
trust and bonhomie which is sadly, absent today. Time for our MPs to realize
their key job is to legislate. More so, as crucial Bills like the three
Criminal Procedure Code Bills are to be debated and passed this session.
Remember, Parliamentary democracy does not begin and end
with elections, it’s a continuous process that carries on in the House and, in
collaboration with Opposition. The electorate takes a cue from Parliament. A
House that functions in a healthy atmosphere of dialogue, dissent and debate
sends out a positive message to people.
It remains to be seen if obstructionism will continue and
whether our polity will continue to drift along smugly without any shame,
desire to turn a new page. Of late one sees Treasury Benches passing crucial bills
thanks to Opposition providing a perfect escape by creating pandemonium. With the
functioning of Parliament costing Rs 2.5 lakhs per minute our Right Honourbles
need to be sternly told they cannot squander aam jantas’ money.
The time has come for all MPs to see how they can
strengthen Parliamentary democracy before people begin to mock them. One way is
that on policy matters and legislative business Treasury and Opposition Benches
rise above sectarian political loyalties and be guided by what the country
needs, the sense of the House than the rule book.
Another is to make the Executive accountable by taking a
leaf out of Westminster. The House of Commons has a-40 minutes a week “PM’s
Hour” convention wherein MPs can question him on any issue.
It needs to be remembered that Parliament is the bedrock of
our nation State. It represents citizens who expect it to function as the
sovereign watchdog of their national interest. Constitutionally, the Executive
is responsible and accountable to Parliament every second of the day. Its
survival depends on its enjoying the confidence of the Lok Sabha. Nothing more,
nothing less.
With sharp battle lines between Treasury and Opposition if this
distrust continues it will only further devalue Parliament and lower its image.
Thus, our leaders need to heed voices of reason. Tying up Parliament in trivia,
sans business does not behove the world’s largest democracy. Time to change the
rules to ensure accountability.
The value of this session will be gauged by its success in
moving the national conversation forward. As leader of the world’s largest
democracy Modi needs to remember a good statesman always learns from his
opposition than from his supporters. Alongside our Opposition MPs must introspect
about what kind of legacy they are going to leave behind. Will they allow
Parliament to sink under the weight of its increasing decadence? ---- INFA
(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)
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