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Poverty Data: CONCOCTED, FOOLING PUBLIC?, By Dhurjati Mukherjee, 24 January, 2024 Print E-mail

Open Forum

New Delhi, 24 January 2024

Poverty Data

CONCOCTED, FOOLING PUBLIC?

By Dhurjati Mukherjee 

A very recent discussion paper released by Niti Aayog titled ‘Multidimensional Poverty in India since 2008-09’, authored by member Ramesh Chandra and senior adviser Yogesh Suri, claimed that nearly 24.82 crore Indians have been lifted out of poverty over the last decade. The paper showed a decline from 29.17 percent in 2013-14 to 11.28 percent in 2022-23. The Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), based on Alkire and Foster (AF) method, identifies people as poor based on universally acknowledged metric designed to assess acute poverty, providing a complimentary perspective to conventional monetary poverty measures. 

Several economists have questioned the assessment based on the MPI as also the method of calculation. They contended that the MPI, which mainly measures possessions and access to certain services, is a poor and inaccurate method of estimating poverty, traditionally measured through household expenditures on certain goods and services. 

The projections of the report are based on the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) for which data was collected before the pandemic. Based on the overall numbers, it concluded that Uttar Pradesh managed to get 5.9 crore out of poverty followed by 3.8 crore in Bihar, which is the home to the highest share in the country. 

Recall that the last poverty estimation was done in 2011-12 by applying the Tendulkar methodology after price indexation and based on the last consumption pattern data from the NSSO survey. As per that estimate, 21.9 percent of the population were below poverty line in 2011-12. Meanwhile, it is indeed surprising that poverty reduction has been announced though the government has not released the Household Consumer Expenditure Survey report for 2017-18, citing high divergence between the survey findings and administrative data. Many economists pointed out that MPI is not used as a measure of poverty and deprivation. They maintained that the MPI simply shows the percentage of people unable to access facilities provided by the government. 

Just on the heels of this report, the Oxfam came out with a more revealing and judicious report. it came out with the startling revelation that ending poverty, the target for which is 2030 under the SDGs may not be possible for another 229 years. This has been in sharp contrast to the Niti Aayog report that predicted India is likely to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of “halving multidimensional poverty well before 2030”.   

Oxfam observed that runaway inflation across the world has destabilised governments and pushed people to desperation but if there’s one thing that has grown faster than prices of bare necessities it is the wealth of the ultra-rich. It found that the “super charged surge” enjoyed by the wealthy in the last three years has meant that billionaires are $3.3 trillion richer than in 2020; their wealth growing three times faster than the rate of inflation. In fact, there has been 114 percent jump in wealth of the richest men since 2008. Their combined wealth has more than doubled – going from $406 billion in 2020 to $869 billion now. Moreover, one percent of wealthy people own 43 percent of all global financial assets. 

Mention may also be made of Oxfam India’s ‘Survival of the Richest: The India Supplement’ that reveals some stark findings proving that the gap between the rich and the poor is indeed widening. Some of the key findings from the India supplement are:-
the top 1 percent in India now owns more than 40.5 percent of total wealth in 2021 while the bottom 50% of the population (700 million) has around 3 per cent of total wealth.
 

While these contrasting reports of the government and Oxfam make interesting reading, it is surprising that why the present dispensation is trying to project things in a distorted manner. If one delves deep into the matter and considers other international surveys, there is little justification in the data projected as also the laughable estimation of the elimination of poverty by the year 2030. 

One cannot doubt the fact that the ground reality presented a stark rebuttal. Former finance Minister, P. Chidambaram expressed concern over Modi government’s alleged tendency to manipulate research and data. It was pointed out that the fact that the government manipulated data showing only 15 crore poor in India, then there has possibly been no justification of giving free ration to 80 crore people. Supriya Shrinate of the Congress pointed out that the Niti Aayog has measured poverty based on the government’s flagship programmes, ignoring the standard parameters adopted the world over. 

According to her, “The government’s recent growth figures suggested the consumption growth was 4.4 percent. If people are getting more money, why are they not buying basic stuff such as soap, hair oil, toothpaste, biscuit and so on?” Some economists and even the Congress are of the opinion that the government is compelled to rely on such manipulated data after its 10-year tenure because it has somewhat failed to solve the country’s economic problems. 

Let us turn to a recent UN estimate which found that over a billion people in India could not afford a healthy diet in 2021 and this puts a question mark on the government’s recent estimate of decline in poverty levels. The 2023 report on food security and nutrition released by five UN agencies earlier this week stated that 74.1 percent of Indians or 1043 billion people were unable to afford a healthy diet in 2021. The report also estimated India’s proportion of undernourished population at 16.6 percent during 2020-2023. Comparatively 66 percent of people in Bangladesh, 82 percent in Pakistan and 30 percent in China were unable to afford a healthy diet in 2021. The report from FAO emerged amid what some food security advocates and nutrition experts view as the Indian government’s efforts to deny the persistence of food deprivation and poor nutrition among large sections of the population. 

Meanwhile, one may also refer to the Global Hunger Index (GHI) which ranked India as low as 111 among 125 countries though the government alleged that it was “an erroneous measure of hunger with serious methodological issues” that displayed a “a malafide intent”. Some experts pointed out that though the government has been bragging about its food aid programmes and challenged the GHI, but it is quite surprising that its own estimate of 813 million people need food aid contradicts the government’s contention. 

Thus, the present estimation is not quite justified and does not reveal the true picture of the poor in India. The basics of decent livelihood which consists of nutritious food, potable water and a permanent shelter is possibly not available to at least 15 percent of the population. The government’s attempt to bring forward concocted data may not be acceptable to the really educated sections though the aam janata can be swayed with such irrelevant findings.---INFA 

(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)

 

 

Ram Lala’s Consecration: OPP HINDUISM VS BJP HINDUTVA, By Poonam I Kaushish, 23 January 2024 Print E-mail

Political Diary

New Delhi, 23 January 2024

Ram Lala’s Consecration

OPP HINDUISM VS BJP HINDUTVA

By Poonam I Kaushish 

Circa September 1984: Vishwa Hindu Parishad begins campaign against Ayodhya’s Babri Masjid threatening to break open locks. Two years later then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi acquiesces and Hindus enter mosque.

Circa 1989:  Rajiv allows temple shilanyas and begins Lok Sabha campaign from Ayodya  promising Ram Rajya.

Circa 25 September 1990: BJP President Advani becomes “charioteer” of rath yatra from Gujarat’s Somnath temple which culminates in Ayodhya October. Asserting he did not imagine  response would be so overwhelming whereby yatra took the monument out of its religious context and gave it a potent political thrust for installing Hindu nationalism as India’s dominant political credo. Followed by kar sevaks demolishing Masjid 6 December 1992.  

Circa  9 November 2019: Supreme Court in a historic unanimous judgment  says rights of 2.77 acres disputed Ayodhya plot where Babri Masjid stood is Lord Ram’s birthplace and will be handed over to Ram Lalla, one of the three litigants in the case. Muslims will get “alternate land” a five-acre plot elsewhere for a mosque, thereby putting to rest Sunni Waif Board claims the mosque was built by Babar.

Circa 20 January 2024: Congress’s leaders Sonia Gandhi, President Mallikarjun Kharge decline , invite calling it “an RSS/BJP event.” Ditto other INDIA bloc Opposition leaders. While TMC’s Mamta dubs it a “political gimmick,” NCP’s Pawar is more circumspect, “I will go later,” “so will I” coos SP’s Akhilesh, RJD’S Lalu and AAP’s Kejriwal, DMK’s Stalin states cannot accept temple built after razing mosque and BJD’s Patnaik who has maintained equidistance from all inaugurates a grand parikrama of Puri’s Jaganthnath temple.

A triumphant BJP slams decision saying “Opposition feels jealously, malice and inferiority complex” towards Prime Minister Modi.” For the Party the consecration is a masterstroke, a seminal moment, an act of faith and assertion of Hindu identity. The road to attaining political nirvana in the upcoming polls. From a mere two seats in 1984 to 303 in 2019 it hopes to total over 400+ now.

Circa 22 January 2024: Undeniably, Modi has established the centrality of religion in today’s politics, an embodiment of belief. Proved post Ram Lala’s pran pratishtha that he knows aam aadmi’s pulse as the tidal wave in support of Ram temple underscores Lord Ram resonates in people’s hearts. More important its construction and consecration finally rests centuries-old dispute. Ironically, Congress opened the lock but BJP got the key and will go down in history as its legacy to transform India to Ram Rajya.

In the midst of Opposition-BJP tu-tu-mein-mein over who is a true blue Ram bhakt vs 'seasonal Hindu' and religion is a personal affair. Congress’s Rahul contends “temple’s unveiling is timed deliberately close to elections soon. While Hinduism is not about persecuting people belonging to different faiths, Hindutva is. Hinduism is not about beating a Sikh or a Muslim, Hindutva of course is.”

Alas, Congress and Co does not have a language on Hinduism for people. By staying away from pran pratishtha follows their dismal pattern of me-too and boycott politics. Even as they profess to be devout Hindus and visited temples in respective States on 22 January so as not to be seen as anti-Hindu, yet most are perceived  as indulging in appeasement politics, part of the “tukde-tukde gang” which favours Muslims.

Worse, they did not checkmate BJP by launching an equally vigorous counter campaign or made any attempt to invoke secular ideals or Constitutional values to strike a cord among those who share their views on politicization of temple and strict separation of religion and State to run a multi-cultural country like India. Also, they do not seem to have the wherewithal for a mass connect programme.

Clearly, in the ongoing tussle between Hindus and ‘extreme Hindus’ the onus of deciding what one expects from one's religion --- whether it should be command-driven and enslaved to a Party hunting for power in the religion's name, or not -- rests with Hindus.

Questionably, is Hindutva same as Hinduism? According to Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Hindutva as defined in the classic statement of its ideology, is the “culture of the Hindu race” where Hinduism is but an element and "Hindu dharma is a religion practiced by Hindus as well as Sikhs and Buddhists.” The Merriam-Webster's Encyclopedia of World Religions, Hindutva is a concept of “Indian cultural, national and religious identity. The term conflates a geographically based religious, cultural and national identity: a true ‘Indian’ is one who partakes of this ‘Hinduness.’

In the early 1920s RSS ideologue Sarvarkar wrote the Essentials of Hindutva whereby he sought to define these as common nation (rashtra), common race (jati) and common culture or civilisation (sanskriti). Indian culture as a manifestation of Hindu values; this concept grew to become a major tenet of Hindu nationalist ideology.

Interestingly, he defined his idea of Hindu resurgence in political terms, not religious. The nation, he said, was based on the unifying Hinduness of its people. Hindutva refers to “cultural nationalism” and is “not a religious or theocratic concept.” He called as much for a combative spirit as a cohesive one, if India were to retain its essence, which in his opinion was its Hindu civilization and Hindu way of life.

Besides, Hindutva and Hinduism have been a part of several Supreme Court judgments. In 1966 Court held, “Hinduism is impossible to define and is complex. Historically it has an ‘inclusive nature’ and can be described as a way of life. The theist and atheist, sceptic and agnostic may all be Hindus if they accept the Hindu system of culture and life. Hindutva is not hostility to any organised religion nor does it proclaim its superiority of any religion to another.”

Plainly, Opposition needs a more imaginative, more political and bold response. They need to frame an alternative idea and politics, do hard political labour, communicate it to people in a language that is persuasive, appealing and uplifting, not just react to agendas set by BJP. As running away isn’t nimble politics.

Undeniably, the Sangh Parivar has amplified Ram Lala’s narrative by resurrecting enormous Ram literature, Ram bhajans, mythical stories of Ram through social media to start a new chapter in Indian history, a 'new world order'. 22 January is modern India’s national carnival as there has been no event this size which can be dismissed as BJP's propaganda only. It symbolises India’s transformation from a Constitutional State to a civilizational State distinguished by different levels of culture and heritage

Time now, for Parties to close ranks and re-dedicate themselves to a truly secular nation and focus on matters pertaining to governance, development, social and economic prosperity. They need to remember that India is a pluralistic society where Hindus and Muslims have to live and die together.

In fact, the temple is a symbol of national unity as all castes and communities were involved in rebuilding it. Those at the helm of governance must desist from showing a bias towards any faith as it could seriously strain inter-religious relations. After all, it was none other than Mohammad Iqbal who hailed Ram as Imam e Hind.

Undoubtedly, our polity has to desist from playing ducks and drakes with the aam aadmi’s religious beliefs, be it Ram Bhakti or Rahim Bhakti. It is only through sheer force of political will and authority that a Government and Opposition can bring about communal harmony for the betterment of a future India. Can it deliver?  --- INFA

(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)

 

 

Ayodhyanomics Energises UP: LIGHTING UP THE GRAY AREA, By Shivaji Sarkar, 22 January 2024 Print E-mail

Economic Highlights

New Delhi, 22 January 2024

Ayodhyanomics Energises UP

LIGHTING UP THE GRAY AREA

By Shivaji Sarkar 

Ayodhyanomics unveils an ambitious vision with Rs 85,000 crore investment for the township of 30 lakh people, as majestic Rs 1800 crore Ramlala Mandir sets to open on January 22 amidst grand celebrations and inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.It is wonder economics. The state government invests a mere Rs 20 crore for Ayodhya for housing schemes and the largesse goes to Agra and Varanasi, Rs 400 crore each, Moradabad and Meerut Rs 200 crore each, New Kanpur Rs 170 crore of a toral Rs 3000 crore allocation for housing schemes. 

The Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust estimates the cost at Rs 1800 crore to be met from an approximate collection of Rs 5500 crore. This is swelling.More than its economics, the politics around Ram keeps people more engaged. Not only the BJP sees it as the trump religious card, even the Opposition finds it uncomfortable, if not troublesome to handle. 

The small township of less than 5 square km sees flurry of activity to welcome an estimated 45 lakh visitors and the Ayodhya commissioner says it would see an investment boost of Rs 85000 crore over the next ten years. This is largely an estimation. The dream is of turning it into a hub to rest on 178 projects and an array of various levels of hotels, OYO with 1000 beds to a number of 5-star hotels. 

A contrast is Jagdishpur industrial hub, 66 km from Ayodhya, attempted to be developed in 1980s by Sanjay Gandhi and after him Rajiv Gandhi with thousands of crores of public sector investments. The latest of that was in the 2012 plan for creating a food hub. It all collapsed partly for it being an interior area and largely for unsustainable business model and as some alleged because of unfavourable political atmosphere. 

Ayodhya is seeing building of roads, bridges, new railway station, airport to water metro service and similar other facilities and cultural centre.The redevelopment of Ayodhya, as envisaged in Master Plan 2031, broadly hinges on eight themes to guide civic authorities for the upcoming smart city. The scheme includes a spiritual university, a green-field township, an urban forest, to name a few. Other highlights include a central business district, hotels, riverfront, water bodies, and dharmshalas. The footfall as of now is said to be around 30000 a month. 

Property prices, as per industry sources, have risen nearly four times over the past three years. Top five-star hotel brands such as the Taj, Radisson, ITC are opening new properties to cater to the projected rise in demand. In fact, over 73 new hotels are in the pipeline in Ayodhya. A new property, Ayodhya Tent City, has also come up and offers stay at luxurious tents.   

Indian Hotels (IHCL) launched two new hotels in Ayodhya under the Vivanta and Ginger brands. Both are greenfield projects in partnership with Bhardwaj Global Infraventures. “Ayodhya is an important pilgrimage site and likely to receive high footfall throughout the year. These hotels will also complete the travel circuit with Lucknow and Varanasi”, IHCL said in a statement.

Interestingly, civic authorities are projecting a ratio of 1:10 of residents to tourists. According to industry estimates, around 3.25 lakh tourists visited Ayodhya in 2021 and the following year this number rose to 2.39 crore. Now, after the inauguration of the temple, local authorities are expecting over 4 crore pilgrims to visit Ayodhya this year.The state-government has promised that the holy town will become a world-class city in the coming years with modern amenities around its cultural aesthetics. 

There are 324 five-star hotels in the country. Agra is said to have a dozen, but they do rarely have full occupancy as most people prefer to stay in Delhi and make short trips. Vrindavan a popular pilgrim centre has no 5-star accommodation. Pilgrims spend moderately. The ground breaking ceremony in Ayodhya, scheduled for February, will launch 126 hospitality sector projects worth Rs 3,800 crore. This includes four mega projects, including hotels and resorts. The largest investments in the district are in the hospitality sector, totalling Rs 420 crore. Out of the 126 projects, 46 have MoUs signed, worth Rs 1,923 crore. 

Ayodhya has been one of the low priority stations for most devouts. The hype created would need efforts to sustain. The government investment is low and so far, it seemingly has not much of an industrial activity planned. The flow of tourists at ratio 1:10 or residents would be the only factor for sustaining an economy. 

The political atmosphere contributes a lot to sustain a project. Jagdishpur, launched with much fanfare did not succeed. The region was planned to become an industrial hub and public sector companies were forced to setup factories in the region, irrespective of feasibility and concerns of profitability. Many big PSUs like SAIL, HAL, BHEL and thousands of small companies set up units in the area out of political compulsions. The region flourished as the PSUs pumped money to set up factories but in less than a decade, decline began as almost all the 135 units turned out to be unprofitable because the region is not feasible for industrial development. Even Malvika Steel, a Rs1500 crore mega plant of SAIL and Rourkela Steel collapsed despite central government financial support from 2012 to 2014. 

Similarly, Amethi, 100 km away from Ayodhya suffered what congressmen say, “politics of revenge” and BJP minister Smriti Irani says unviable projects pushed by the UPA government. The few projects that could ultimately be propped up failed to bring about the promised growth and development. The fate of several projects pushed by UPA 2 in its final months now hang in balance. 

Small traders are having a spurt in business. There is growing demand for handicrafts such as decorative pendants, bangles, lockets, key rings, garlands, among others. Exports from Ayodhya, according to reports, rose by 130 percent to Rs254 crore in 2023. 

Ayodhya has not much of public investments. It is designed mostly to survive on private investments. Dinesh Goyal, Vice President, Indian Industries Association, told the press that he expects a business turnover of Rs50,000 crore because of ongoing preparations ahead of opening ceremonies at Ram Mandir. Business entities across the country are capitalising on these opportunities. A tall order or not, the unfolding developments beyond the temple consecration would reveal.---INFA 

(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)

 

India & Maldives: SOCIAL MEDIA WAR, By Dr. D.K. Giri, January 2024 Print E-mail

Round The World

New Delhi, 19 January 2024

India & Maldives

SOCIAL MEDIA WAR

By Dr. D.K. Giri

(Secretary General, Assn for Democratic Socialism) 

Digital technology is a wonderful invention and social media is a powerful platform. But remember, EF Schumacher had propounded the concept of appropriate technology which is defined by judicious use of any technology by its consumers. In the India-Maldives relations, the recent unsavoury spat in the social media backed by a dose of hyper nationalism on both sides is a classic case of overuse if not crass abuse of social media. Unfortunately, both the countries have perhaps unconsciously allowed the social media to influence negatively the bilateral relations. 

The fracas began with absolutely uncalled for reactions by three Maldivian ministers to snapshots posted by Prime Minister Modi of his trip to Lakshadweep. Even in the words of former President of Maldives, Ibrahim Solih that the ministers used ‘hateful language’. Of course, the Maldives government immediately suspended the ministers. 

Nevertheless, in reaction to the derogatory personal comments by the Maldivian ministers on Indian Prime Minister, all hell broke loose on the Indian social media. A fairly big travel agency EaseMyTrip CEO reacted by cancelling thousands of bookings by Indian tourists to Maldives. Another Indian travel aggregator removed Male as a destination from its travel website and encouraged tourists to go instead for Indian beaches. BJP IT cell unleashed its troll army to take on Maldives. It roped in its favourite acquiescent celebrities from sports and cinema – Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar – ironically the very people who holiday in Maldives.  

A South Indian film star Nagarjuna cancelled his entire family’s visit to Maldives in support of the Prime Minister and the country. The troll army used demeaning language in attacking Maldives. The point is, was it necessary to disparage Maldives while promoting Lakshadweep and other holidays spots in India. The outburst of nationalism against a small neighbouring country, which has been friendly and dependent on India was equally uncalled for. Worse, a commerce organisation has said they would not trade with Maldives. 

The patriotic cheerleaders and social media warriors are oblivious of two important elements in the recent episode. One is presenting Lakshadweep as an alternative to Maldives. There is no doubt that there are several wonderful, underused tourist spots in India. How to promote tourism to such areas is another discussion. It should be noted that Lakshadweep is a small archipelago located in 32 sq kms, quite small to absorb numerous footfalls. It is an ecologically sensitive zone that contains the carbon footprint in the Island. It has, as of now, very little connectivity. There is one daily 60-seater flight from Kochi to Agatti. Only two of five ferries sail between Kochi and Lakshadweep. There are barely 100 rooms across the Island. Lakshadweep is certainly exquisite. But the question is whether average Indian tourists always game for food and shopping will find much attraction. 

The second issue is the comprehension of Maldivian politics, especially after the election of President Mohamed Muizzu having a pro-China tilt. Muizzu ran his campaign on an ‘India Out’ plank. A correct perception of the recent political developments in Maldives should help steady the India-Maldives bilateral relations. Let us not forget that Maldives politics is divided like that of any other country. All Maldivians or political parties are not against India. The Opposition parties are vigorously protesting the anti-India positioning by the present Maldivian government. In fact, there have been calls for a no-confidence motion against the ruling regime. Even a Maldivian tourism body wrote to their Indian counterparts, “We want you to know the bonds connecting our nations transcend politics. We consider our Indian counterparts as cherish brothers and sisters”. 

Maldives economy is run largely by its tourism. India is by far the largest source of tourism for Maldives. So, the panic, even if we discount the pro-Indian feeling in anti-Muizzu political segments, is understandable. In 2023, over two lakh tourists from India landed in Maldives that has around 5 lakh people. Even in the pandemic, 63000 Indians visited Maldives. Over last two years, 4.5 lakh Indians have been to Maldives. President Muizzu asserted that Maldives can substitute Indian tourists by an increase in the flow of tourists from China. Apparently, he made a request to Chinese President Xi Jinping to send more tourists to his country. It is hard to imagine that China can literally turn on a tap that increases the flow of tourists to any destination. 

Let us also remember that leadership in many countries in the India-Pacific region is divided as pro or anti-China. Those who are anti-China seem to be pro-India and vice-e-versa. The countries that come to mind are Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Maldivies and so on. The External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in an event in Nagpur reacted to the journalists on the recent tension with Maldives. He also suggested that small countries try to leverage the big power rivalries. Admittedly, India has been doing so in case of former Soviet Union, now Russia and the United States. So, some countries including Maldives do the same between India and China. 

Indians should be conscious of the geo-political dynamics that prompt regimes in countries to choose partners. New Delhi should focus on its tension and competition with China which are reflected in our relations with our neighbours and other countries in the region. Beijing, in the pursuit of its policy of ‘String of Pearls’, is penetrating into India’s neighbourhood. New Delhi has to counter it with all its force - diplomatic, economic and strategic. This is a strategic choice imposed on India which it cannot forswear. 

On repairing the current rupture in India-Maldives relations, both countries have to reflect and react. As a bigger country, India could be more tolerant by being a bit thick-skinned. Outsized reactions as were seen in the social media should be avoided. Maldivians should realise that India has been their trusted ally and a provider of essential goods and services. New Delhi has helped Maldives on several crisis situations in addition to having multi-sectoral projects in the country. China may come with a bigger pot of money, but as other countries have realised, alliance with China is like a kiss of death. Beijing seduces countries with instant aid and draws them into a debt trap. 

Geographically, Maldives is 700 kms from the Indian coast and over 6000 kms from China. New Delhi treats Maldives as an important part of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) Policy. A robust long-term relation with India will augur well for Maldives. Likewise, India would benefit from the strategic location of Maldives in the Indian Ocean. Beijing has been wooing Maldives for the same reason as 80 per cent of China’s oil passes through the maritime trade highway through Maldives. 

To conclude, New Delhi should take urgent steps to repair the damage. The China angle in India’s neighbourhood is not new. The situation has been similar in Nepal. But the regime change has retrieved it for India. Maldives could be no exception. India’s foreign policy is more progressive than China’s. President Muizzu would have a change of mind or Maldives will have a change of regime. Indians should therefore react with caution and maturity.---INFA 

(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)

 

 

Bharat JodoNyay Yatra: ASSAM GIVES HOPE TO CONG, By Insaf, 20 January 2024 Print E-mail

Round The States

New Delhi, 20 January 2024

Bharat Jodo NyayYatra

ASSAM GIVES HOPE TO CONG

By Insaf 

BJP-ruled Assam has pleasantly surprised the Congress, rather given a fillip to Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Bharat JodoNyayYatra,’kicked off from Manipur. “Women assembled for a function organised by the Assam CM in Mariani spontaneously and enthusiastically met @RahulGandhi on Day 5 of the BJNY. NYAY for Assam has begun!” read the party’s X post. Indeed, as a large number of rural women in Jorhat, who had gathered to collect forms for a newly announced government scheme were seen leaving their queues to greet Rahul, who had reached Mariani town from neighbouring Sivasagar district around Thursday noon. The video on social media showed women showering affection and sought to click pictures with him, before he proceeded further. 

The response has triggered a bitter controversy. Congress has accused Chief Minister Sarma trying to derail the yatra. First by creating obstacles, such as fixing dates for the distribution of forms in such a manner that it deliberately clashed with Rahul yatra and second having an FIR registered suomoto by the police against the yatra and its chief organiser KB Byju for allegedly ‘deviating from its permitted route inside Jorhat town,’ leading to chaos. Whereas, the Congress said ‘the assigned route was too small, and we had a huge gathering. So, we took a detour for just a few metres... Sarma wants to make the yatra a flop.” Who is more successful, is anybody’s guess. The yatra has 17 districts on its schedule in the state till January 25 and there’s bound to be more heat and dust raised. But all eyes are on the big story—preparations for D-Day, January 22 and Ayodhya. The twist and turns the yatra takes, must take a backseat, at least till then.

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Chandigarh Mayor Poll Drama

Chandigarh mayoral elections have kicked up a storm. The AAP and Congress have accused BJP of not allowing these to be held under fear of its “imminent defeat”! Thursday should have seen a new civic team, but the polls were abruptly postponed on ‘pretext’ the presiding office Anil Masih, had fallen sick. After high drama outside municipal corporation office and filing of a petition in Punjab & Haryana High Court by AAP, the DC announced February 6 as the next date of poll. Interestingly, he has nominated Masih as presiding officer, giving credence to allegations that “BJP sent him to hospital” as “majority of officers responsible for the election, including presiding officer and secretary, municipal corporation, belong to the Haryana cadre, where BJP is in power, and they are under party’s influence.” All this, because this election was being viewed as the first test between INDIA bloc and BJP as both AAP and Congress reached an understanding -- AAP to field mayor candidate, while Congress to contest for senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor posts. So, if voting went as per party lines, then their 20 combined votes were sufficient to defeat BJP, which since past 8 years has held the mayor’s post. The postponement not only saves BJP the embarrassment but gives it time to work on ‘Operation Lotus’, says opposition. Will February 6th prove it right? 

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System Fails Rural Kids

The education system in the country has failed the rural kids! The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2023 ‘Beyond Basics’ by NGO Pratham released on Wednesday, following a survey in 28 districts across 26 States reveals not much has changed over the decade and kids continue to struggle with basic reading and arithmetic skills well into teenage years. Specifically, 42% of children aged 14 to 18 years in rural India can’t read easy sentences in English; over half can’t even solve simple 3-digit division problems, usually taught in 3-4th standard; about 25% can’t read a class 2 level text fluently in their regional language! While there’s lot more statistics from 34,745-youth surveyed, the message for Government is: ‘Catch up efforts for foundational literacy and numeracy are needed…not only for doing better in school but also for everyday needs.’ Shockingly, it has done precious little, despite its NEP 2020 stating, ‘urgent need for ensuring that by Std III, children have acquired basic reading and arithmetic skills.” Time it did its own homework right!

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Cong AP Comeback?

The Congress is desperately trying to make a comeback in Andhra Pradesh. Less than two weeks of YS Sharmila, sister of Chief Minister YS Jagan Reddy Mohan and daughter of former CM Y S Rajasekhar Reddy, joining the party, it appointed her as President of the state unit on Tuesday last, and compensated outgoing chief GiduguRudraRaju, as special invitee to the CWC. The change,just before general and Assembly elections may not go down well with old timers, but the party doesn’t have much to lose. Since 2014, it has failed to get a single MLA or MP elected, so even if Sharmila can score a small success, the party can pat itself. A lot, however, depends on how she changes the label of ‘belonging to Telangana’ and lay a claim to YSR’s political legacy in the State, which brother Jagan has used to his advantage to the hilt. Political analysts do not give the Congress much space as the battle is clearly between YSR Congress and the TDP. Sharmila has a long way to go, starting with testing the waters within the grand old party itself.

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Bihar Largesse

Bihar government is wasting no time to woo the voters. On Tuesday last, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced the Laghu Udyami Yojana,(Bihar small entrepreneur scheme)wherein one member of each family, earning less than Rs 6000 per month (9.4 million families), will get Rs 2 lakh over five years. The first of three instalments was sanctioned by the Cabinet i.e., Rs 50,000, to be disbursed next month to five lakh families selected through a computerised randomisation process‘to set up and run small industrial or processing units, such as handicraft, textile, saloon, eateries, among 63 types of units.’ The schemewill be implemented by industries department, and members of such families will need to apply online and produce the proof of family income to claim benefits. Another scheme approved was of providing one-time financial grant ranging from 75,000 to 30,000 to students from EBC families preparing for civil services (mains) exams. There is a catch though. A lot will hinge on budgetary allocations. The big question being where will these additional thousands of crores come from? ---INFA 

(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)

 

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