POLITICAL DIARY

New Delhi, 6 June 2009

Declining Parliament

NEW SPEAKER, NEW CHAPTER?

By Poonam I Kaushish

Believe it or not, winds of change seem to be sweeping across Parliament. If you feel that’s impossible, think again. A valiant effort is being made to ‘put-in’ reformation mode India’s high temple of democracy. Of course, it remains to be seen if our MPs’ play ‘fair’!

It took all of seven minutes to script a new beginning of the 15^th Lok Sabha on Wednesday last. When 64-year-old five-term MP Meira Kumar rode high on optimism into history books. By achieving a rare double of becoming the first Dalit woman Lok Sabha Speaker. Making plain that she was no pushover, meant business and would not hesitate to crack the whip, Meira vowed to run the House as per “the Constitution rules and traditions. We should discuss and debate, and if need be, we should express our differences in a gentle manner without affecting the working of the House.” 

She also underscored her intension of restoring the Lok Sabha’s long lost glory drowned in the cacophony of petty foggers, one-upmanship and conmanship. Parliament should function through debate, discussion and consensus which she felt was possible if our MPs adopted an attitude of cooperation rather than confrontation. Wherein the MPs would adhere to the rules and follow the numerous conventions and customs. Her message ran loud and clear: Put the Lok Sabha back on the rails.

However, what Madam Speaker proposed the MPs disposed.  Within minutes of taking charge she got a taste of things to come. When RJD leader Lalu and his JD(U) counterpart Sharad Yadav got into a slanging match over the former’s references to previous Speaker Somnath Chatterjee and the Indo-US nuclear deal in his congratulatory speech. Accused the JD(U) chief, “don’t inject rajniti on this occasion. Countered Lalu, “Ab aap se updesh sunne padenge (Will I have to endure sermons from you).” Net result?  Expunction of the tu-tu-mein-mein.

But this was only the tip of the iceberg of the many discords that await the new Speaker. Already male battle-lines are drawn over the Women Reservation Bill which the Government intends turning into reality soon. Thundered Sharad Yadav again, “I will consume poison but not let the women’s quota bill pass.”  Plainly, notwithstanding the empowerment message in Meira’s elevation, the ‘belan vs pagri' issue remains a hot potato. Wherein, the Speaker would need all her wherewithal and restraint in the coming days.

More so as the challenges confronting the nation have increased manifold. The country is today in the throes of increasing social and economic tensions. In addition, there are forces within and without eager to destabilise India and disrupt its unity and integrity. Which calls for reasoned debate. Instead, till date even a one-man Opposition army has prevented discussion by holding the House to ransom. Not a few members have made it a habit of rushing into the well of the House. All spew sheer contempt.

We take great pride in calling ourselves the world’s largest democracy. Yet most of us forget that Parliamentary democracy provides for a civilized form of government based on discussion, debate and consensus. Ruthless politics has taken over and discussions and debates have largely lost their meaning. Numbers alone matter and have become the sole criteria of success. Bringing things to such a pass that pursuit of power, pelf and patronage is replacing law making.

In this milieu, the Speaker’s role has become all the more important and demanding.   Few in India, however, appreciate even today the key role of the Speaker without whom, according to Erskine May, “the House has no Constitutional existence.” Nehru repeatedly emphasised the importance of the office of the Speaker and laid emphasis on its prestige and authority. Said he in 1958: “The Speaker represents the House. He represents the dignity of the House, the freedom and liberty. Therefore, it is right that his should be an honoured position, a free position and should be occupied always by men of outstanding ability and impartiality.

Nehru as the leader of the House encouraged by his own conduct the Chair to be independent and impartial. Elders recall how Nehru once clashed with Speaker Mavalankar on the floor of the Lok Sabha when the latter disallowed him from making a second statement in one day in contravention of the rules. Nehru agitatedly argued: “But Mr Speaker Sir…” However, he soon resumed his seat as the Speaker asserted: “Order, order. The Prime Minister will take his seat!” Incredible as it may seem in today’s India, Mavalankar once allowed an adjournment motion against Sardar Patel to discuss the escape of Mir Laik Ali, Prime Minister of Nizam’s Hyderabad from India.

Clearly to conduct the business of the House smoothly, there has to be stern discipline.  Discussions have to be made more meaningful and focused through a strict time schedule. Today, time management has become a joke. Most Speakers have been much too indulgent, allowing senior Party leaders to speak way beyond their allotted time. Not a few leaders speak as though they are speaking in a public meeting or a political rally.

Consequently, crucial legislative business meriting in-depth debate gets rushed through with only a cursory glance. There is no such thing as first, second and third readings of bills as during Parliament’s golden era under Nehru. Unlike in past, the Chair has to make sure that money bills are not passed without debate. Worse, the demands for grants of various Ministries and Departments, running into lakhs of crores of rupees are guillotined without any discussion because time gets wasted on non-issues.

No doubt, Madam Speaker has to walk a tight rope. She has to ensure among other things that the Opposition has its say even as the Government has its way. For starters take a leaf out of the book of the West to save time, wherein the microphone is switched off as soon as a MP finishes his allotted time. Winston Churchill once told his party MPs that ordinary members should endeavour to make only one point in their speeches. It is the privilege of Prime Ministers alone to make two points!    

True, there is no magic remedy. The process has to be slow and long. Nevertheless, a meaningful beginning could be made if the new Speaker puts an end to brazen rowdysim. The Chair needs to ensure that the House is not held to ransom through a ‘gang up’ of MPs determined to disrupt its smooth functioning. Any member crossing the Lakshman Rekha and rushing into the well of the House should automatically stand suspended for a week. In fact, this measure was part of a code drawn up by former Speaker Balayogi. But it was never enforced. Sadly, spine was lacking.

What next? Clearly, it is time to give serious thought to rectifying the flaws in our system and urgently overhauling it. Rules have to be drastically changed to put Parliament back on the rails and ensure that none can hold the House to ransom. First and foremost, we have to be clear: Are we for democracy as a civilized form of Government or have we degenerated into what the former President Giri once described as a “democracy” of devils and fixers? A feudal democracy run like a family enterprise?

In the final analysis, Speaker Meira Kumar needs to heed Indira Gandhi’s words: “Parliament is even as a bulwark of democracy… It has also a very heavy task of keeping an image that will gain it the faith and respect of the people. Because, if that is lost, then I don’t know what could happen later.” That faith and respect requires to be restored and built by the new Speaker through a new chapter. Any takers?---INFA

 (Copyright, India News and Feature Alliance)

Round The States

New Delhi, 4 June 2009

Special Status Category

NEW BUZZWORD AMONG STATES

Special status seems to be the new buzzwords resounding in States from East to West, North to South India. After Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, it is the turn of his counterpart Ashok Gehlot in Rajasthan to demand special State status. Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa, Goa and Puducherry too have joined the me-too chorus. Recall, Nitish Kumar created a flutter prior to the elections results when he voiced his support for any Government at the Centre which granted Bihar special category status. The State suffers from endemic economic backwardness.  The case of Rajasthan is slightly different. After a lull of 10-years, Gehlot has reiterated his special status demand. Plainly, he intends in-cashing the fact that the Congress is ruling both at the Centre and the State. According to him, the large desert State with a unique topography is perennially facing acute shortages, receding ground water levels, scanty rainfall, poor roads, medical and housing facilities. Wherein providing basic facilities like bijli, sadak, paani was extremely difficult and arduous task. However, politically speaking granting special status to both States is easier said than done

Arguably, if large, mainstream States are given special treatment, the meaning of the word ‘special’ would blur. Uttar Pradesh could be next in line with a similar demand. Presently, 11 small States flaunt the special status tag. Namely, the seven North-eastern States, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. Not many are aware that ‘special’ status is accorded to States having harsh terrain, inadequate economic and social infrastructure, backwardness, predominant tribal population and a weak resource base. The special State status is in the context of Centre-State finances. It entails a State getting a bigger share of the Centre's resource pie and significant excise duty concessions to help industrial development. Apart from that, 30% of the Centre's gross budgetary support for Plan expenditure goes to special-category States. Thus, given this backdrop any change in the share of the Central assistance pie going to the 11 special category States would raise controversy, within the group and without. Better to let sleeping dogs lie!

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Lover’s Tiff In Karnataka?

All appears not to be well with the BJP in Karnataka. Even as Chief Minister Yediyurappa uncorked the champagne at the first anniversary party of the first BJP Government in the South, the fizz seems to have evaporated. Four key Ministers and 12 MLAs gave the party a skip. Ostensibly to express their angst against the Chief Minister’s emerging as a power centre “following the big victory in the Lok Sabha  polls.” Known as the Bellary brigade, the leaders are reportedly close to the famous Reddy brothers of Bellary’s iron ore mines who played a major role in ensuring the BJP’s electoral win last year. Between them the brothers control 40 of the BJP’s 116 MLAs in the Assembly. Known as Yediyurappa’s ‘alternate’ ego, the Reddy’s are angry with the Chief Minister for giving preference to his son over his friends. All eyes are on Yediyurappa, will he make up?  It is a moot point if it ends in being only a lovers tiff. 

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Electoral Winds Of Change In Gujarat

Electoral winds of change are all set to sweep Gujarat. In an unprecedented move, the Gujarat State Election Commission (SEC) intends barring people above the age of 65 years from contesting any local body election. Not only that. Only a graduate can contest the post of a municipal councilor. With an intention to overhaul, the manner in which local self-Government bodies, both in rural and urban areas, are constituted, the SEC has also recommended disqualification of any candidate who has an FIR against his/her name and has been charged. Presently, only those who have been convicted are ineligible for election. Among the various other suggestions, the draft proposal also intends giving the voters the right of recall their non-performing representatives. Unlike the present practice of angutha chaaps being elected to Panchayats, now a candidate would need a SSC qualifications to be eligible for village panchayat polls and be 12^th class pass to qualify for a Taluk / District Panchayat or Municipal polls. Voting is also to be made compulsory across the State. It remains to be seen if the word of the SEC will change the way elections are fought.

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NREGS Thrust In Rajasthan

Rajasthan is likely to see the State Administration going full steam ahead on the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS). Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot is eager to strengthen the job scheme and evolve a corruption-free system in its implementation, as urged by Magsasay award winner Aruna Roy and her Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sanghatan on Sunday last.  He has also responded positively to her suggestion for setting up a social audit unit in the State to look into the functioning of the job schemes and other departments. Aruna Roy also wants the CM to improve the implementation of the Right to Information Act on two fronts: one, by recruiting more personnel and two by pro-active disclosure campaigns by the government so that people are regularly informed. Obviously, Gehlot would like to cash in on the pro-poor NREGS  which enabled the Congress to do remarkably well in the recent elections. 

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Cyclone Aila Adds To CPM Woes In W Bengal

West Bengal continues to hog the headlines for all the wrong reasons. First it was a resounding defeat of the Red Brigade in its home State, now cyclone Aila continues to wreck havoc on the State even as a harried and hapless Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharya tries to grapple with the people’s rising anger.  In fact, the cyclone has exposed how ill-equipped the State machinery is to deal with this devastation that has wrought destruction on the people in all the19 districts, specially North and South 24 Parganas. Worse, there is total lack of any relief and rehabilitation measures. Sundarbans which has taken the hardest hit. In fact, the Chief Minister has had to beat a hasty retreat in the all the cyclone-affected districts. Needless to say this natural calamity is just a manifestation that the CPM better set its house in order before 2011 when the State Assembly elections are due and it would have to face the people’s fury.

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Water Rationing In MP

Look at the irony. There is water-water everywhere in West Bengal  but not a drop to drink in parched Madhya Pradesh. In a first of sorts, a tiny Municipal body in Sehore town is all set to issue water cards to residents to ensure rationing and equitable distribution of liquid gold. Each resident will get 50 litres of water per day. Shockingly, Sehore gets water once in four days while the other towns in MP get water once in two days. In fact, the State Government has imposed preventive measure under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code around the 122-km long water supply pipelines to protect them from any ‘deliberate’ damage. With taps running dry in many towns, violence is rocking the State like never before. Already, seven murders have taken place and over 45 cases of violence reported from all over the State. Year after year the story is same. Parched throats crying for water and a ‘dried-up’ Government coming up with shriveled ideas.

(Copyright, India News and Feature Alliance)

People & Their Problems

New Delhi, 1 June 2009

Higher Education

INSTITUTIONS TO EXPAND REACH

By Dhurjati Mukherjee

The government’s commitment to set up a Central University in each State to lend a helping hand and ensure that each district gets a college is a welcome development. The plan is to set up 30 universities across the country to make available higher education to a larger segment of the population as also to raise its standard. This comes close on the heels after the government’s decision to have more specialized institutes on science and technology.

Importantly, the National Knowledge Commission (NKC) had recommended that opportunities for higher education are not adequate and that there should be 50 national universities and a total of 1,500 universities nation-wide that would enable India attain a gross enrolment ratio of at least 15 per cent by 2015.

Presently the country has 20 Central universities – 18 funded by the UGC -- but these are spread over nine States, Delhi and Pondicherry. One Central university will be located in each of the 16 uncovered States, while 14 new ones will come up in States which provide land free of cost in attractive locations. As for degree colleges, the Central government would provide all help to the States to start 370 new ones and strengthen 6,000 in districts, where the gross enrolment ratio is low.

Meanwhile, the Planning Commission has proposed a seven-year special Plan (2007-14) which includes setting up eight new IITs, seven new IIMs, 20 NITs, 20 IIITs and 50 centres for training and research in frontier areas. Of the IITs, three are already operational. Five Indian Institutes of Science Education & Research have been set up. As for technical education, expansion and upgradation of 200 such institutions in various States has been envisaged. The plan for higher and technical education will start in the 11^th Plan and spill over to the next without being diluted. Funding of Rs 1.31 lakh crore is proposed for the seven-year Plan, whereas the NKC wants an outlay of 1.5 per cent of GDP for higher education alone.

Since Independence higher education has been marked by a steady expansion of colleges and universities, setting up of distance education system and several initiatives to promote access and equity. The annual growth has been estimated to be around 3.5 to 4 per cent per annum which, however, is far from actual needs. As such, the enrolment ratio has not been satisfactory and is estimated at 9.1 per cent. The government hopes to raise it to at least 15 per cent by 2012 which is way behind the 40-50% figure of the developed countries.

University education as such has not been lagging behind in quality, but its reach is limited because of the ever-increasing population. India was once regarded as one of the premier centres of scientific and historical research in the Asian continent. It can boast of the best universities like in Chennai, Kolkata and Mumbai and Central universities such as the JNU, Viswa Bharati and Benaras Hindu University. Then there are specialized institutions for scientific and technical educations like the IITs, which are of a high order. Management institutions such as IIMs and private colleges like Manipal University and Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda University too have attracted foreign students. In fact, engineering education has found recognition with the country recently being made a provisional member of the Washington Accord, a 10-member global apex organization.

In recent times, induction of new disciplines for study and research is attracting many more students. These include environmental science, disaster management, computer applications/engineering, informatics, forensic science, hotel and tourism management, religious studies and biotechnology. It is important that the centres for higher education must keep pace with changing times and, courses for which there is both a need and demand have to be formulated. Likewise, private participation in higher education should be welcome as a segment of the population can meet the high costs involved.

However, higher education is also under criticism because of declining standards, parochialism, dogmatism and lack of sincerity of both teachers and students. Ramachandra Guha, well-known critic and historian, has observed that from the 50s to the 80s, major debates about Indian society and history were centred in the country. But even though Indian scholars lead the debates even today, they are more likely to work in western universities and publish their papers in their journals.

Another development is of specialized universities or institutes. The South Asian University is one such example and is to be set up shortly with both students and faculty from all the SAARC nations. The government is also considering setting up the Workers’ Technical University in Hyderabad (with 13 regional centres) catering to an estimated three lakh workers/students a year. It would be one of its kinds and shall ensure that the 40-crore workers’ population, of which 98 per cent is in the unorganized sector, is able to upgrade its skill and meet the demands of industry.  

This apart, there is a proposal to revive the 800 year-old Nalanda University having an international character with seven schools (with 4,530 students and 453 faculty members), offering integrated post-graduate and research programmes in informatics, development studies, social sciences etc. 

Clearly, advancement of knowledge and human resources are now acknowledged as pre-requisites for social and economic growth. The country’s brain drain needs to be checked and more qualified scientific and technical personnel are required to sustain the growth momentum of 8+ per cent over the coming decade. Thus, higher education has not only to be expanded but quality must meet desirable standards.

In order to augment the quality, several commissions have been constituted, including Radhakrishnan, Kothari, Rastogi and the recent-most NKC. According to the latter, there is need to transform existing institutions and thus has outlined some essential steps: universities should restructure/revise curriculum at least once in three years; annual examinations should be supplemented with continuous internal assessment (25%); research must be encouraged through changes in resource allocations, reward systems and mindsets; infrastructure that supports the teaching-learning process such as libraries, laboratories and connectivity need to be upgraded on a regular basis and innovativeness introduced; appointments of Vice Chancellors must be freed from direct or indirect intervention of State governments, while Academic and Executive Councils, which slow down decision-making process and at times constitute an impediment to change, need to be reconsidered on a priority basis; and modernizing higher study through national and international developments and experiences and freeing the system from any parochial or dogmatic outlook so that organizational management of a high order could be ensured.

As we march ahead, the Prime Minister and the Planning Commission has rightly focused on giving due priority to higher education and ensuring that backward regions are not deprived of the opportunities. Moreover, new institutions and upgradation of existing ones will go a long way in reaching education to all regions of the country as also to all sections of the community. ---INFA             

 (Copyright, India News and Feature Alliance)

Sunday Reading

New Delhi, 26 May 2009

Tourism Industry

OPENING HOME TO TOURISTS

By Radhakrishna Rao

The concept of home stay is slowly but surely gaining popularity in the tourism industry. It could be explained as a fall out of the cultural and ecological degradation associated with the conventional sightseeing and leisure industry. Not only is home stay more affordable in comparison to an accommodation in a rated hotel, but exerts less pressure on the environment around. Besides, it also makes for a far more enjoyable and memorable experience.

According to industry wizards, the concept of home stay is rapidly catching up in India and is becoming popular with both the domestic and international tourists. With business looking good, by the end of the year, a big tourist company is planning to bring in around 1,000 houses across the country into the “home stay” network. The concept will offer a unique package of a vast range of activities ranging from yoga, ayurvedic treatments and massages, backwater rafting in Kerala to exploring tiger trails in Periyar tiger reserve.

In the gorgeously beautiful Kodagu (formerly known as Coorg) district of Karnataka, known for its magnificent mountain ranges, bubbling water streams and flourishing coffee plantations and orange orchards, many enterprising coffee planters, who have inherited ethnically vibrant traditional houses, have entered into the home stay business in a big way by making use of their assets.

Similarly, in the historically-vibrant north-western Rajasthan, former princely rulers dotting this desert State have converted their sprawling and beautiful palaces and residences into
heritage home stays. Not to be left behind “God’s Own Country” as the ever-green Kerala is known in the tourist blurb has popularised the home stays in a big way by falling back on the bounties of nature.

Significantly, many small farmers in the hilly Waynad, in northern part of Kerala have taken to home stay following crop failures in the region. In fact, the extra income they now earn has helped them see through the bad days. The popularisation of home stay here is thanks to the sustained efforts’ made by local non-profit organization called Uravu, which in Malaylam stands for spring.

As part of its plan Uravu has adopted a village, Thrikkaipet, where farmers are being encouraged to convert a part of their houses for home stay   “Our aim is to make the village a self- sustaining one as through home stays, a large part of the income goes to the locals. A visitor here will be the guest of the village” says Uravu’s T. Sivraj. Significantly, tourists from Europe including Italy, Switzerland, Germany and France have merged as patrons of home stays in this non-descript village in the mountainous north Kerala.

Way back in 2002, the ice-covered Ladakh entered the home stay map with the active encouragement of California-based Snow Leopard Conservancy, an organisation that strives for conservation of natural resources through the active involvement of the local community. Before home stay was introduced, tourists used to travel to Leh and make day trips to Ladakh. However, with the home stay gaining in popularity, travelers to this once forbidden icy region can explore the ravishing beauty of the region by going in for home stays. And for the local population the change is more than welcome as it implies additional income from a booming tourism industry.

In Palghat district of Kerala, known as the rice bowl of the State, many traditional houses standing in the midst of flourishing paddy fields have been converted into home stays which offer local culinary delights and cultural programmes for both the Indian and foreign tourists. Similarly, a once unknown island village off Kochi in Central Kerala has become a thriving tourist destination following the introduction of Home stay.  

Interestingly, local fishermen in the village of Kumbalangi run home stays with a high degree of professional acumen. These home stays offer not only local delicacies, but also an insight into the local way of living and culture. Initially, the locals were skeptical of tourism, but it has clicked, according to the Great Indian Tourism Planners and Consultants International.

Apparently, even well-heeled tourists who normally prefer to stay in star hotels are now plumping for home stays, for “the heck of it”. A spokesperson of the travel and leisure industry says that home stay has now become one of the biggest crowd pullers, making it one of the most dynamic sector of the travel industry. Home stays were earlier popular with foreign tourists but nowadays there has been a huge interest evinced even by Indians too” says Mayura Balasubramaniam, a project support officer for tourism programme with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The UNDP has tied up with Tourism Ministry to promote rural tourism in 36 villages across 20 States.

Apparently, home stays vary from the so-called basic home stays with a rural family or a tribal hamlet for Rs.100 a night to luxury or heritage stays within havelis, mansions or plantations and estates, the charge for which is anything above Rs 5000. In addition, there are around 10,000 home stays with an environmental theme.

The benefits of home stays clearly include staying with the locals (owners of the property), eating local cuisine and taking part in various traditional and cultural activities including mehandi artistry and weaving coil baksets etc. As of now, Kerala, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan are in the forefront of popularizing home stays in the country. The change is also an indication that these days most urban middle class and upper class Indians are aware and well-traveled. They want to experience their own country.

The bewitching beautiful Indonesian island of Bali, known for its magnificent Hindu temples and ravishingly beautiful beaches promoted home stays in a big way in the 90s, following an outcry over the negative cultural and environmental fall out of the traditional tourism.

Despite the global recession and fear of terrorist attacks, home stays in the country are moving from strength-to-strength. Kerala is one such example. The Indians go there mainly during October, April, May and December. And, surprisingly, the tourist industry there saw more than double the number of domestic tourists, after Mumbai mayhem. Not surprisingly then the Tourism department of Kerala as part of its plan to promote responsible tourism in the stay is encouraging the home stays in a big way. ---INFA

(Copyright, India News and Feature Alliance)