Round The States

New Delhi, 1 December 2011

FDI Hodgepodge

CENTRE-STATE CONFRONTATION

By Insaf

The FDI mess has set the ball rolling for an unsavoury Centre-State confrontation. Not only has the big fight for and against 51 per cent Foreign Direct Investment in multi-brand retail led to a logjam of Parliament, New Delhi has had to deal with a big no from non-Congress ruled States, a few of its own plus allies and a nation-wide bandh called by millions of traders across the country, affecting normal life. While Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Bihar have been vociferous and warned of repercussions for foreign biggies, Kerala and West Bengal are too urging the Centre to rollback its decision. This is notwithstanding Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s assertion that the Centre “is not forcing anyone to follow this policy.” State governments that are not convinced of its usefulness, he reasoned, have the necessary means to prevent foreign participation in retail businesses in their States. But with no one listening, he has asked Commerce Minister Anand Sharma to write to the Chief Ministers.

However, it appears that the Centre did not do its homework before taking the call. It should have for one, apprised its ministers and MPs about the usefulness of its decision, two should have sent out Congress worker teams to towns and villages to convince farmers how it would make their life better and three perhaps got the Cabinet nod only after the winter session of Parliament and the UP elections. It’s another story that young General Secretary Rahul Gandhi is hearing a mouthful from UP Chief Minister Mayawati on it. The big question doing the rounds is:  Where was the fire? With its fingers burnt now, the Centre should at least try not to trigger another confrontation with the States—that over the Food Security Bill. It should tread carefully before introducing it in Parliament. The States of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Punjab are the others who too have made known their displeasure. The Bill is divisive and the Centre should not try to impose its policies and laws on them, is the warning. Will the Centre please pay heed?  

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Andhra CM’s 1 Year

The Congress, both at the Centre and in Andhra Pradesh can afford a small celebration. It’s Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy has proved many a pundit wrong and completed a year in office. Though his elevation to the top post in the State on November 25 last year remains a mystery, Insaf in Hyderabad learnt that Reddy is gradually moving to a comfort level zone. He has survived the turmoil of the agitation for Telangana and the rebellion of MP, Jaganmohan Reddy, who has floated his own YSR Congress.  Of course, the Centre has come to his aid by one, managing to gain time on Telangana and two by putting the heat on Jagan with CBI raids. Eloquent in English, the public-school educated CM is trying hard to brush up his Telugu and reach out to the masses. Taking a cue on populist measures from his predecessors, he has launched schemes such as Rs 1-kg rice, youth employment in private sector, waiving of interest on loans to farmers and women self-help groups etc. However, a major challenge is to bring back the investors. Will he be able to improve his report card, with a successful “Partnership Summit 2012”? Time will tell.   

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Manipur’s Brief Relief?

Manipur has had a mixed bag of luck this week. While there is a major sense of relief in the north-eastern State over the temporary lifting of the 121-day economic blockade, a powerful bomb blast in its East Imphal district, which killed one person and injured four, is causing anxiety. More so, as it comes three days ahead of Prime Minister’s visit. While security measures are being tightened, the Centre needs to have a long-term vision to resolve the ethnic issues between the Kuki-Naga tribes. The abandonment of the national highway by the protestors will give respite to the people all right, but it is being viewed as only a temporary relief.  On the one hand, it hinges on how the Okram Iboi Singh Government deals with the protestors (it cannot afford to be harsh) and on the other how soon the Centre can find a solution to the groups’ long-pending demand for autonomy and self-determination. While it is certain, there is no magic wand, the Centre must as the first step keep its word of not taking any unilateral decision.  

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Maharashtra’s Worry

Maharashtra government has reason to fret. It tops the list of States with regard to seizure of fake Indian currency. Till October this year, the RBI and the State police recovered a whopping Rs 81 crore of a total of Rs 96 such notes in Maharashtra alone. Statistics given to the Lok Sabha also reveal that it has the maximum cases registered FIRs (212) under probe as against other States of Uttar Pradesh (114), Gujarat (113), Andhra Pradesh (98) and West Bengal (72). The intelligence agencies suspect that the maximum flow of fake currency to Mumbai and other cities is thanks to Dawwood Ibrahim’s network, apparently accessible to Pakistan’s ISI. The implications are indeed grave and the Centre has got cracking. It has empowered the National Investigating Agency to probe and prosecute such offences. Additionally, a “terror funding” and fake currency cell has been set up within the NIA to focus on the probe of such funding. It’s worthwhile to keep a watch on its success rate.        

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Of Honour & Shame  

Karnataka is all smiles. The quality of living in its capital, Bangalore, is by far the best, in comparison to other metros-- the country’s capital, Delhi, financial capital Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata. Likewise, Tamil Nadu can too boast. Insofar as personal safety ranking goes, its capital, Chennai takes the lead, with Kolkata a step behind. Sadly, these metros fare poorly globally. They are way down the list of Mercer’s (consultancy firm) list. Of 221 cities surveyed, Bangalore ranks 141, with the other four metros (in same order) ranking one below the other. As against Chennai, Delhi could hang its head in shame in regard to safety of its citizens. The Centre’s statistics tabled in Parliament reveal that the State, run by a woman Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit, has not only the highest number of rape cases but has the second highest number of complaints by women against police harassment and police apathy. From 126 cases in 2008-09, to 237 in 2009-10, 453 in 2010-11 and 357 in first 11 months of this year. Delhi stands only behind Uttar Pradesh, which had 1,761 such cases. Already having being dubbed as the “rape capital”, will Delhi add another dubious distinction?---INFA

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