Fraud on farmers by Government of Karnataka ?

Any Ordinance promulgated under Article-213 of the Constitution by the Governor, be based on the advice of the cabinet, in the circumstances the government is required to take immediate legislative action (if the circumstances make it necessary to do so) at the time when the legislature is not in session. 

The legal position is well-settled. Ordinances are only temporary laws, that must be approved by the State legislature within 6 weeks of reassembling, else, the Ordinance shall cease to operate. And, the power to promulgate an Ordinance, is, essentially, a power to be used to meet an extraordinary situation and it cannot be allowed to be perverted to serve political ends.

It is an established practice in a democratic process that, only when the House is in Session, the Cabinet  table the new legislations or proposed amendments to the powerful social welfare legislations, allowing the exhaustive debates in the Session on pros and cons, in order to have a consensus to bring in best possible legislations, to meet the highest level of social welfare. That, in fact, is the basic rule of democracy too.

The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, is presently not in a position to convene a Legislative Session owing to the widespread of Covid-19 Pandemic. It is on record that  the Budget Session of the State Legislature was curtailed as a precautionary measure due to Covid-19. However, the State Government can bring in Ordinances ( temporary laws) owing to exigencies and to meet an extraordinary situation. Especially, while bringing in amendments to the powerful social welfare legislations relating to farmers, the debate in the Session is most expected and followed procedure of a prudent legislative process in a democracy, more pertinently, in the light of its resultant multi-dimensional effects on the society and it's welfare equilibrium.

Surprisingly, even though there was no extraordinary urgent situation forthcoming, the State Cabinet of Karnataka has resorted to bring in Ordinances, one after another, amending the powerful social welfare legislations pertaining to farmers, without allowing the exhaustive debates in the Session on pros and cons and has ruled out any necessity of consensus to bring in best possible legislations, to meet the goal of social welfare state.

In other way, the State Cabinet has used the opportunity of Covid-19 and lockdown thereby, for promulgation of the present Ordinance to directly subvert the democratic process.

The State Cabinet has promulgated the following legislations through Ordinances. 

1) Karnataka Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) Act

2) The Karnataka Industries (Facilitation) Act, 2002

3) The Karnataka Land Reforms (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020.

The timing of promulgation of these three Ordinance of 2020 and their sequence of events, raise several doubts on the genuinity of  intentions of the State Government, and, their background of events are interesting, for the following reasons.

a) On 14th May 2020, the State Government amended the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC), Act 2017 by an Ordinance.

By this Ordinance, farmers will no longer be bound to more than 150 APMC markets in the State and they can sell their produce to private players as well. 

The amendment comes in the wake of the State Government receiving a letter from the Central Government  suggesting adaptation of Centres Model Agricultural Produce and Livestock Marketing (Promotion Facilitation) Act, 2017. 

The  APMCs are regulated through state intervention, to give justice to farmers. By this Amendment, the State is giving away its right, and, admitting that it is incapable of carrying out its role diluting its role through APMC and giving away a to the private sector. Thus, State Government is undermining the role of democratic institutions like APMCs.

The Covid-19 Pandemic has taught us, that Government and state role is predominant in food security and distribution of agricultural commodities in state and unfortunately, the government is doing away with this in the time of pandemic. 

APMCs are the last hope for the farmers regarding price and marketing. And, with that last hope gone, the government is cheating the farmers community. The attempt of this state government appears to be has very clear, trying to open up agricultural markets to the private sector for a long time, which it was unable to do due to the farmers protest.

It is clearly the resultant effect by a lobby of capitalist private players and unfortunately. the State Government has acceded to their illogical demands, at the risk and cost farmers community of the State. 

The State Government has, unfortunately, used the lockdown period, to hurriedly bring about this amendment when the farmers cannot protest and when the legislature is not in session to debate or oppose it. 

b) On 25th of June 2020, the Karnataka Government amended the Karnataka Industries (Facilitation) Act, 2002 through Ordinance, by which the industries will not need any statutory permission for the first three years to set up operations in this state. These permissions include getting approval from multiple state laws including building plan approval and trade licence measures. 

It is very clear that, this law is going to serve only the industrialists by waiving of all prior approvals, at the cost of standard and essential mandatory procedural requirements and governing laws. It is purely a lobby of capitalist industrialists and unfortunately. the State Government is dancing to its tunes, and acceding to their illogical demands, owing to  its commitments (financial or otherwise) during toppling the previous coalition government. 

c)  The Karnataka Government has, in the month of July, 2020, promulgated the Karnataka Land Reforms (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020 to amend the Karnataka Land Reforms Act, 1961 removing restrictions non agriculturist purchasing agricultural lands and doubling the ceiling on land holdings.

The Cabinet had earlier taken a decision to repeal Section-79 (A) (prohibition on acquisition of land by certain persons),  Section 79 (B) (prohibition on holding agricultural land by certain persons), Section 79 (C) (penalty for failure to furnish declaration) and Section 80 (transfer to non agriculturists barred).

Cabinet has also approved to double the ceiling on land holding from 10 units per family of five, to 20 units, under Section 63. 

The Ordinance states, 'Notwithstanding the omission of Sections-79-A, B, C with effect from 1st May, 1974, the cases already disposed of before the publication of the Karnataka Land Reforms (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020 shall not in any way be affected. All cases pending on the date of publication of this Act pertaining to the Sections-79-A,  B and C and consequential thereof, shall stand abated'. 

The intention of the State Legislature is very straight forward, to make poor and oppressed agriculturists landless persons and to make the capitalist private players to acquire the farm lands, as much as possible and, to control the agricultural sector completely in their mighty hands.

On a comprehensive analysis of the legislative intentions, it's object sought to be achieved as enunciated in the amending provisions of the Ordinances and their nexus, coupled with timing, makes it clear for any comman man to completely understand the role of  mighty and powerful lobbies of capitalists and industrialists behind these Ordinances, at the cost of poor and oppressed farmers community. 

And, adhering to its commitments to 

powerful lobby of capitalists and industrialists, the State Government is dancing to its tunes, and acceding to their illogical demands, possibly owing to its commitments (financial or otherwise), while toppling the previous coalition government. 

Now, everything having said and done, the question still is not unanswered, as to whether the State Government has committed fraud on farmers or an organised scam.

The position of a common man in a country, when ruled by headless Head.

Hunger, after 65 years of independence, is no longer a major problem in India, but education is still. Thanks to all the governments so far, for their efforts to make India a Hunger-free nation. 

This milestone was possible only due to well educated, compassionate and visionary leadership, which was able to frame effective policies, and,  personally oversee their implementation, in letter and spirit. 

Likewise, education, for any growing nation, is most essential in every aspect, whether human development or mechanical development or overall growth of the country or a crisis management.

Here, I am leading you to a very common discussion that, 'whether Educational Qualification is necessary and important for politicians?

Records speak of several governments, introducing enormous policies to eradicate illiteracy. However, the leader himself incase is illiterate, there is no point or possibility to transform the citizens or to influence them to become literate.

History has authoritatively concluded that, there have always been the biggest advantages for the countries and constant growth thereby, whenever politicians and their leaders were well educated, well informed, compassionate and visionaries, who were able and competent to personally understand and frame effective policies, and, who had the  qualification and capability to personally oversee their implementation, in its true sence and perspective. 

From the administrative perspective, the leaders with less dependence on others have been the better, and, those totally independent and capable of thinking, perceiving and framing policies, have always been the best. And, those leaders, with no/less education or fake education degrees, with no compassionate heart, being totally dependent on others, have often proven the worst for the people. Be it any country, this has been a common rule. 

Practically speaking, the amount of popularity a leader has, whatever be his fan-following, his attire, body language, style of walking, fashion mantras and trends, cannot bring any practical and physical change in the growth of any country, and, inasmuch as in the normal life of a common man, unless well informed and much-thought of positive policies are brought-in with the help of education, to uplift the life of a common man. 

Now a days, it has become the basic need of a person to be educated, than an additional qualification, be it a leader or a common man. A leader, with higher degree of responsibility, should, in my opinion, equally be highly educated, matured, experienced, kind, and should understand people's feelings, thinking, vision etc. And, that all flows from education itself and our moral life. 

Leaders, with no education or less education or fake education degrees, can not, normally understand complexities and intricacies in administrative mechanism in the competitive circumstances, and be unable to cope up with the changes, which hinders country's development at the end of the day. 

From the psychological perspective too, a leader with superior educational background and skill in administration, would always be seen as confident and prefer interacting authoritatively with educated class, with qualified and experienced colleagues, subject matter experts, bureaucrats and the general public, to acquire and improve his knowledge and to increase deliverable performances. The leaders of  such kind hardly find any need to live on false pretenses or artificial or showy appearances or support of PR teams, for their survival, or to project and promote them as able leaders. Their sound knowledge, experience, expertise, disciplined and timely decisive approaches prove everything, speak volumes, with no need to seek attention and publicity. 

Whereas, an uneducated leader, in order to avoid exposure of his incompetency or his inability to comprehend, would psychologically always have an inferiority complex or an ego or frustration surrounding him and would normally avoid the healthy and fruitful discussions with his colleagues, bureaucrats or press or with the general public even, and, instead prefer radio to read out the literature crafted by professional PR Team, in an attempt to prove his ability.  Some may  even prefer Ghanti, Taali, Thaali and Diya too, to be in limelight and to continue being popular to the crowd in the gallery. Such so called leaders, just live the virtual life, 'the life of pretence', so long as they occupy the chair, to avoid true self.  By the time realities haunt, they just divert the attention to newer dimensions and vanish from the actual scene. Be that as it may, this is India and this alone goes on.. And, cheerleaders celebrate it as a success mantra of Robinhood. Interestingly, rest of the world is not free from such virtual leaders and their cheerleaders. 

Well, while concluding my personal opinion, mandatory educational qualification for politicians be prescribed in the larger interest of the country and higher the educational qualification is necessary for a leader occupying the highest position, for the country’s bright future and prosperity. Else, the position of a common man in a country, ruled by headless Head, be unimaginably pathetic and irreversible in the days to come. 

Whether silence by BSY Government, is an admission of corruption ?

The Karnataka Government has  so far received ₹664 Crores by individuals and companies for Covid-19 Fund and the CM Relief Fund. 

A statement issued by the CMO stated that, the State Government has so far received ₹299.50 crores donations towards Covid-19 and ₹ 334.50 crores to the CM Relief Fund and also the government claims to have spent ₹ 14.77 crores so far to install Medical Gas Pipeline with High Flow Oxygen System in taluka hospitals (₹109.10 crores) and purchase of Ventilator, (₹32.62,66,280).

Section of media have published  the detailed reports alongwith the visuals on Covid-19 expenditures, alleging large scale  corruption. 

Allegations of corruption in distribution of free food grains affected by Covid-19 lockdown is  parallelly doing the rounds in the State of Karnataka, and, in the mean time, some section of media has published detailed reports with visuals, on illegal storage of food grains by certain private individuals connected to the government. 

On the other hand, the Congress has demanded the State Government to come out with the White Paper on Covid-19 expenditures alleging large scale corruption and also on on illegal storage of food grains by certain private individuals connected to the government. 

However,  the State Government, has, conspicuously chosen to be silent and not taken any action as against the allegations on illegal storage and also on allegations of large scale  corruption on Covid-19 expenditures.

When government is not saying anything and its silence is speaking everything loudly, the only presumption left to be drawn  is on the credibility of the government.

Inhuman treatment of the government while handling the dead bodies of Covid-19 victims - Liability of the Government.

The Constitution of India, more particularly Article-21, dealing with Right to life and personal liberty states that, 'No person shall be deprived of his life and personal liberty except in accordance with law'. 

While interpreting the meaning and scope of Article-21 from time to time, the Supreme Court has enlarged the scope of definition and meaning of Right to life and of personal liberty, as has been referred to under the provision. 

The Supreme Court in the matter of Francis Coralie Mullin v. The Administrator, Union Territory of Delhi and others (reported in AIR 1980 SC 746), has considered the question, as to whether the right to life is limited only to protection of limb or faculty or does it go further and embrace something more. The Court held that, 

'The right to life includes the right to live with human dignity and all that goes along with it, namely, the bare necessities of life, such as adequate nutrition, clothing and shelter and facilities for reading, writing and expressing oneself in diverse forms, freely moving about and mixing and commingling  with fellow human beings. Every act which offends against or impairs human dignity would constitute deprivation of this right to live and it would have to be in accordance with the reasonable, fair and just procedure established by law, which stands the test of other fundamental rights. Now, obviously any form of torture or cruel inhuman or degrading treatment would be offensive to human dignity and constitute an inroad into this right to live and it would, on this view, be prohibited by Article-21, unless it is in accordance with procedure prescribed by law, but no law which authorises and no procedure which leads to such torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment can never stand the test of reasonableness and non arbitrariness : it would plainly be unconstitutional and void as being violative of Article- 14 and 21'.

There is implicit in Article-21, the right to protection against torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, which is enunciated in Article-5 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights and guaranteed by Article-7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. This right to live which is comprehended within the broad connotation of the right to life can concedebly, with proper care and caution, be abridged according to procedure established by law and therefore when a person is lawfully imprisoned, this right to live is bound to suffer attenuation to which he is incapable of enjoyment, and reason of incarceration. However, such judiciously permissible abridgedment even in accordance with the procedure established by law, incase found to be inhuman or cruel, lowering the dignity of an individual, it clearly amounts to the deprivation of the fundamental right to live with human dignity and resultantly is violative of Article-21 of the Constitution of India.

In the recent past, a video of the health workers wearing a personal protection equipment are seen bringing dead bodies of Covid-19 patients in black sheets from a vehicle parked nearby and dropping one after another into the large pit, dug up with the help of earth mover, has surfaced in the social media and has created furore.   

A man who posted the video firstly on Youtube, claimed it to have happened in Ballari, Karnataka and even the conversations of the health workers in Kannada language was recorded therein. The eyewitness claimed that, 8 dead bodies were dumped in that passion in a single pit. It went viral on social media drawing widespread contamination over the manner in which handled and people demanded stringent action.

The Deputy Commissioner of Ballari, having noticed the viral video, had nothing more at his dispensation than only condemning the incident, he has not awarded any compensation to the family of the victims, as against the inhuman and disrespectful handling of the bodies, while being lowered onto the ground by the field staff. 

The Chief Minister of Karnataka too condemned the incident. However, the Chief Minister has not awarded any compensation to the family of the victims, as against the inhuman and disrespectful handling of the bodies, while being lowered onto the ground by the field staff. 

At one end, the State  Government is not handing over the dead bodies of Covid-19 victims to their families to perform the last rites, citing Standard Operating Procedure on disposal of dead bodies of Covid-19 victims. And, on the other end, the health workers are not being kind to the Covid-19 victims in performing the last rites of the deceased with honour, is inhuman. 

The act of health workers, not only, is, against all the canons of civility, but also, it reflects the failure on the part of government in strict implementation of Standard Operating Procedure on disposal of dead bodies of Covid-19 victims.

To say the least, the video reflected most inhuman behaviour of the health workers in handling the dead bodies of Covid-19 victims and is painful,  and, is violative of  right to dignity, enshrined under Article-21 of the Constitution of India. 

Conclusively, to do complete justice, the state government should seek an apology and pay the compensation to the families of the victims, as against the inhuman and disrespectful handling of the bodies.

*****

ಅಂತರಂಗ-ಬಹಿರಂಗ

ನಮ್ಮ ಉತ್ತರ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದ ಕಡೆಯ ಹಿರಿಯರು ಒಂದು ಮಾತು ಹೇಳುತ್ತಿರುತ್ತಾರೆ, ಮೇಲಿಂದ ಮೇಲೆ. 

ಅದೇನೆಂದರೇ, 'ಮನುಷ್ಯನಾಗಿ ಹುಟ್ಟಿದ ಮೇಲೆ, ದರಿದ್ರತನ ಬಿಟ್ಟು ಮೈಮುರಿದು ಜವಾಬ್ದಾರಿಯಿಂದ ಏನಾದರೂ ಕಾಯಕ ಮಾಡಬೇಕು. ಇಲ್ಲವಾದಲ್ಲಿ ದಾರಿದ್ರ್ಯ ಮೈಗೂಡಿ ಮನುಷ್ಯ ಎಲ್ಲವನ್ನು ಕಳೆದುಕೊಂಡು ಭಿಕ್ಷಾಪಾತ್ರೆಯನ್ನು ಕೈಯಲ್ಲಿ ಹಿಡಿದು ತಟ್ಟೆ ಬಾರಿಸುತ್ತ ಭಿಕ್ಷೆ ಬೇಡುತ್ತಾ ತಿರುಗಬೇಕಾಗುತ್ತದೆ,' ಎಂದು.

ಭಿಕ್ಷಾಪಾತ್ರೆ ಹಿಡಿಯುವುದು ಅಥವಾ ಭಿಕ್ಷೆ ಬೇಡುವುದು ಎಂದರೆ, ಅದು ಒಬ್ಬ ಮನುಷ್ಯನ ದಾರಿದ್ರದ, ಅಧ:ಪತನದ, ಅಧೋಗತಿಯ, ಅವನತಿಯ ಸೂಚನೆ. ಮುಂದಾಲೋಚನೆ ಇಲ್ಲದೆ ಬದುಕಿದ್ದುದರ ಸ್ಪಷ್ಟ ನಿದರ್ಶನ. ಅವರ ಪ್ರಸ್ತಾಪ ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಮಾಡುವುದರಿಂದ, ಅದು ವೈಯಕ್ತಿಕವಾಗಿ ಯಾರಿಗೂ ಮಾಡುವ ಅವಮಾನವಲ್ಲ. ಅದರಿಂದ ಕಲಿಯುವುದು ಸಾಕಷ್ಟಿದೆ. ತಿದ್ದುಕೊಳ್ಳುವುದು ಇನ್ನೂ ಬಹಳಷ್ಟಿದೆ.

ವಿಶೇಷವೆಂದರೆ, ಸಾಕಷ್ಟು ಜನ ಬಿಕ್ಷುಕರು ತಮ್ಮ ಅಶಕ್ತತೆ, ಬುದ್ಧಿಮಾಂದ್ಯತೆ, ಅನಕ್ಷರತೆ, ಅಂಗವಿಕಲತೆಯನ್ನೇ ಬಂಡವಾಳವಾಗಿಟ್ಟುಕೊಂಡು ಭಿಕ್ಷೆ ಬೇಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಹಾಗೂ, ಇನ್ನಿತರ ಜನ ಬಿಕ್ಷುಕರು ಅಶಕ್ತರಲ್ಲ, ಬುದ್ಧಿಮಾಂದ್ಯರಲ್ಲ, ಅನಕ್ಷರಸ್ಥರಲ್ಲ, ಅಂಗವಿಕಲರಲ್ಲ, ಅಪ್ರಬುದ್ಧರಲ್ಲ. ಆದರೂ,

ದಾರಿದ್ರ್ಯ ಮೈಗೂಡಿ  ಎಲ್ಲವನ್ನು ಕಳೆದುಕೊಂಡು ಭಿಕ್ಷಾಪಾತ್ರೆಯನ್ನು ಕೈಯಲ್ಲಿ ಹಿಡಿದು ತಟ್ಟೆ ಬಾರಿಸುತ್ತ  ಭಿಕ್ಷೆ ಬೇಡುತ್ತಾ ತಿರುಗಾಡುತ್ತಿರುತ್ತಾರೆ.

ಇನ್ನೊಂದು ವಿಶೇಷವೆಂದರೆ, ದೇಶದ ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯರಲ್ಲಿಯೂ ಕೂಡ  ಸಾಕಷ್ಟು ಜನ ಅಶಕ್ತರಿಲ್ಲದವರು,  ಬುದ್ಧಿಮಾಂದ್ಯರಲ್ಲದವರು, ಅನಕ್ಷರಸ್ಥರಲ್ಲದವರು, ಅಂಗವಿಕಲರಲ್ಲದವರು, ಅಪ್ರಬುದ್ಧರಲ್ಲದವರು ಸಾಕಷ್ಟು ಕಷ್ಟ ಪಟ್ಟು ತಮ್ಮದಾದೊಂದು ದಾರಿ ಹುಡುಕಿ ಯಾರ ಸಹಾಯವೂ ಇಲ್ಲದೆ, ಆತ್ಮಗೌರವ ಮತ್ತು ಮರ್ಯಾದೆಯಿಂದ ಬೆಳೆದು, ಮುಂದೆ ಬಂದಿರುವ ಸಾಕಷ್ಟು ನಿದರ್ಶನಗಳು ನಮ್ಮ ಎದುರಿಗಿವೆ.

ಅದೇ ರೀತಿ, ಇನ್ನಿತರ ಜನ ತಮ್ಮ ಅಶಕ್ತತೆ, ಬುದ್ಧಿಮಾಂದ್ಯತೆ, ಅನಕ್ಷರತೆ, ಅಂಗವಿಕಲತೆಯ 

ಹೊರತಾಗಿಯೂ ಕೂಡ ಸಾಕಷ್ಟು ಕಷ್ಟ ಪಟ್ಟು ತಮ್ಮದಾದ ದಾರಿ ಹುಡುಕಿ ಯಾರ ಸಹಾಯವೂ ಇಲ್ಲದೆ, ಆತ್ಮಗೌರವ ಮತ್ತು ಮರ್ಯಾದೆಯಿಂದ ಬೆಳೆದು, ಮುಂದೆ ಬಂದಿರುವ ನಿದರ್ಶನಗಳು ಕೂಡ ನಮ್ಮ ಎದುರಿಗೆ ಸಾಕಷ್ಟಿವೆ.

ಅಶಕ್ತತೆ, ಬುದ್ಧಿಮಾಂದ್ಯತೆ, ಅನಕ್ಷರತೆ, ಅಂಗವಿಕಲತೆಯಿಂದ  ಬಳಲುತ್ತಿರುವವರಿಗೆ ಸಾಕಷ್ಟು ಸರ್ಕಾರದಿಂದ ಅನುಕೂಲತೆಗಳಿವೆ, ಅದರ ಲಾಭ ಪಡೆದು ಮುಂದೆ ಬರಲು ಕೂಡ ಸಾಕಷ್ಟು ದಾರಿಗಳಿವೆ. ಅದಕ್ಕೆ ಬೇಕಾಗಿರುವುದು ಇಷ್ಟೇ, ಒಂದು ಸದೃಢ ಮನಸ್ಥಿತಿ, ಆತ್ಮಗೌರವ ಮತ್ತು ಮರ್ಯಾದೆಯಿಂದ ಬೆಳೆದು ಮುಂದೆ ಬರುವ ದೃಢಸಂಕಲ್ಪ, ಸೂಕ್ತ ಮಾರ್ಗದರ್ಶನ ಮತ್ತು ನೆರವು, ಮತ್ತು ಸರಿಯಾದ ನಿಟ್ಟಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಗುರಿ  ತಲುಪುವವರೆಗೆ ಅನಿರತ ಪ್ರಯತ್ನ. ಇವೆಲ್ಲದಕ್ಕೂ ಈಗಾಗಲೇ ಸರ್ಕಾರದಿಂದ ಹಾಗೂ ಕೆಲವು ಖಾಸಗಿ ಸಂಸ್ಥೆಗಳಿಂದ ಸಾಕಷ್ಟು ಅವಕಾಶಗಳಿವೆ, ಪ್ರೋತ್ಸಾಹವಿದೆ ಮತ್ತು ಅನುಕೂಲತೆಗಳು ಇವೆ.

ಹಾಗಾಗಿ, ಭಿಕ್ಷುಕರನ್ನು ಕಡೆಗಣಿಸದೆ, ಅವರನ್ನು ಸರಿಯಾದ ನಿಟ್ಟಿನಲ್ಲಿ ತರಲು ಪ್ರಯತ್ನಿಸಿ, ಸೂಕ್ತ ದಾರಿ ತೋರಿಸಿ ಸ್ವಾವಲಂಬಿಗಳಾಗಿ ಗೌರವದಿಂದ ಬದುಕಲು ಅನುವು ಮಾಡುವುದು ಸೂಕ್ತ. ಅಲ್ಲದೇ, ಭಿಕ್ಷೆ ನೀಡಿ, ಇನ್ನೂ ಭಿಕ್ಷೆ  ಬೇಡಲು ಉತ್ತೇಜಿಸುವುದನ್ನು ಕ್ರಮೇಣ ಕಡಿಮೆ  ಮಾಡುವುದು ಸೂಕ್ತ ಎಂಬುದು, ನನ್ನ  ವೈಯಕ್ತಿಕ ಅನಿಸಿಕೆ.

ಹಾಗಾಗಿ, ಹಿರಿಯರು ಹೇಳುವುದು, ’ಭಿಕ್ಷುಕರು ತಟ್ಟೆ ಬಾರಿಸುತ್ತಾರೆ, ತಟ್ಟೆ ಬಾರಿಸುವುದು ದಾರಿದ್ರ್ಯದ, ಅಧೋಗತಿಯ, ಅಧಃಪತನದ, ಅವನತಿಯ ಸೂಚನೆ ಎಂದು'. 

ಅಷ್ಟರಲ್ಲಿ, ಈ ದೇಶದ ಒಬ್ಬ ಮಹಾರಾಜ ಖಡಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ನಿರ್ದೇಶನ ನೀಡಿ ತನ್ನ ಪ್ರಜೆಗಳಿಂದ ತಟ್ಟೆ ಬಾರಿಸಿಯೇ ಬಿಟ್ಟ.

- ಸಂಕೇತ ಏಣಗಿ

Indo-China dependency - An unpleasant reality.

Post 1991, the liberalisation of the Indian economy by P. V. Narasimha Rao Government, it was strongly believed that, the 21st century would be of India. And, between 2004-14, India has established so, as the fastest growing economy in the world.

Strategically, China supported its core industry at a time when India opened up its economy allowing its private players to establish manufacturing sector across the nation, and, also, China has supported and created its strong market base in India thereby. 

China, interestingly, has been catering to almost every need of Indian market, at all levels, at a highly competitive pricing, compared to the raw materials or products imported from other countries and also from those already available or manufactured in India, in some cases. Thus, during the 21st century, Chinese raw materials and  products in the Indian market have become rampant, inevitable and unavoidable. 

Diplomatically, the relationship between India and China, has been roughed hard in the recent past, on several issues. 

Most Indian Industrialists and business experts fear that, Indian manufacturing sector, employment and economic growth of the country would be hit heavily if the diplomatic relationship is not managed effectively, as Indian manufacturing sector has major dependency on China, for its cost effective supply. 

Compared to all other countries, China has a major contribution in India's success story of growth, be it  industrial, scientific, economic, whether one accepts it or not. And, China even has equally benefitted out of it, in all dimensions.

The present Indian Government, though loudly, before the media, has opposed dependency on China, has in reality unscrupulously failed to create any alternative in six years to make India independent. Statistics stare us to prove that, the dependency on China has been increased in multiple folds, in India's manufacturing sector during the period of so called economic reformer Modi, due to  its failure to provide essential infrastructure, failure to frame industry friendly policies & schemes and inability to create platforms to facilitate supply and marketing of the products of Indian manufacturing sector. As expected, the growth rate has already went off the track, drastically and in six years. 

Unless Modi government wakes up now atleast, and, on ground provides independent infrastructure, frames industry friendly policies & schemes, creates independent platforms to facilitate supply and marketing of the raw materials and products of Indian manufacturing sector, the dependency on China and also on other countries continue to exist, and, finally, India would have to be subservient to them in many ways, comprising its independence. Modi government, should, at least now realise that, mere announcements infront of mostly a paid mob in election rallies, will be of no consequence in economic independence and growth. Driving a country forward  and leading  it  to the level of an economic growth and independence, is a skill, purely based on knowledge and experience and certainly  distinctive from a skill of managing fanfare mob.

The Government, incase really interested in India's Independence in every sector and if is really against India's dependence on any other country, should first concentrate on India alone, and study India completely apolitically (much beyond Nehru-Gandhi political stories), understand problems better, and fix them up by trying to fill up the lacuna immediately wherever is essential, to achieve the goal of maximum independence and development. And, the one who often seen travelling abroad to forge allies with other countries, can be seen as a major threat to India's independence and may make India more dependent and subservient to other countries, in future. 

With all said and done, now the question is, whether Modi Government be able to develop India as an independent country by its policies and schemes, and, be successful to find better alternative of China in every aspects, to cater to the need of Indian manufacturing sector, when it itself has been dependent on China, for its Statue of Unity, Bullet Train, PPE Kits and on many more ongoing projects ? 

Or, it continues its hypocrisy, by only uninstalling of mobile Chinese Applications.

Is India, still a democratic Republic?

Constitutionally, India is a democratic Republic. The Government, is, of the people, by the people and for the people. None is supreme, except the people and the will of the people. 

The Government, is represented by the Council of Ministers (group of Cabinet Ministers) and the Prime Minister is its ceremonial Head. 

The conjoint reading of Article-74 and 78 of the Constitution of India clearly states that, the Council of Ministers is supreme and the President of India shall act in accordance with the advice tendered by the Council of Ministers through its head, the Prime Minister. 

The provision of law, also makes it clear that, the Prime Minister is only the head of the Council of Ministers and the decisions of Cabinet are always supreme, final and binding on Prime Minister and also on the President of India.  

The role and responsibility of the Prime Minister, under the Constitution of India, thus, is that of a postman, just to  convey the advices / decisions of the Council of Ministers to the President of India and also to simply follow the same through execution and implementation. Article-74 and 78 of the Constitution of India read as under ;

"Article-74 : Council of Ministers to aid and advise President.

1[(1) There shall be a Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister at the head to aid and advise the President who shall, in the exercise of his functions, act in accordance with such advice:]

2[Provided that the President may require the Council of Ministers to reconsider such advice, either generally or otherwise, and the President shall act in accordance with the advice tendered after such reconsideration.]

(2) The question whether any, and if so what, advice was tendered by Ministers to the President shall not be inquired into in any court.

Article-78 : Duties of Prime Minister as respects the furnishing of information to the President, etc.

It shall be the duty of the Prime Minister-

(a) To communicate to the President all decisions of the Council of Ministers relating to the administration of the affairs of the Union and proposals for legislation;

(b) To furnish such information relating to the administration of the affairs of the Union and proposals for legislation as the President may call for; and

(c) If the President so requires, to submit for the consideration of the Council of Ministers any matter on which a decision has been taken by a Minister but which has not been considered by the Council."

And, now, in the present parliamentary democracy, the situation seems to have  been changed, rather reversed. The Prime Minister is acting supreme, he appears to be a decision maker and his decisions appear to be final and binding on the Council of Ministers and also on the President of India. 

The Council of Ministers, have virtually become insignificant, irrelevant, non-existent and seemingly lost all power and liberty to have any say boldly, without fear or favour of the Prime Minister. The Council of Ministers are seemingly under the mercy, parole, and control of the Prime Minister. The decisions of the Prime Minister are seemingly imposed on the Council of Ministers for the sake of legal formality for approval and many Cabinet Ministers are even today are unseen, unheard of, and some are even unknown in public domain, and, the same is fate about their presence and their independent opinions in any cabinet meetings, if they had ever participated and were vocal on their views and stands, without fear or favour. Strangely, dictatorship has all these essential requisites within its folds. 

Now, with the ongoing developments in India, can we still within the framework of the Constitution of India, be able to consider India as a democratic Republic or the one ruled through dictatorship ? 

Whether the present Government, be termed as, of the people, by the people and for the people, especially when the Council of Ministers representing the people have almost become irrelevant and non-existent before the Prime Minister? 

Whether, now, the Prime Minister is Supreme, and, the people and their will through the Council of Ministers has lost its Supremacy ? 

Whether the Government has any Regards and respect for the Constitutional principles and Constitutional morality? 

Whether, the Constitutional principles and Constitutional morality, are obstacles for the the government to push its hidden agenda against democracy ?  And, is that the reason, they are vocal on changing the Constitution of India itself ? 

And, to answer this, entire facts are infront of us and it is the right time to self-analyse and answer ourselves. Better late than never. 

Chronology Samjho aur Atmanirbhar bano. Varna, zindagi bhar bajate rahoge taali aur ghanti. 

* * * * *

An answer to, who is an alternative to Modi ?

AN  ANSWER  TO  WHO  IS  AN  ALTERNATIVE  TO  MODI ?

It is often said in sports, 'never underestimate any player, unless he is given an opportunity to play on the pitch'. And, the politics is a game too.

Democracy is a very beautiful concept. It often reminds us that, the government be of the people, by the people, for the people, and, it shall not perish from the earth. Rulers choosen by the people may just come and go, but the ultimate power of the people never dies. The will and satisfaction of people is final and supreme in democracy, and, certainly not the will and satisfaction of the rulers choosen by the people. 

Till 9th June 1964, none expected that a mild-mannered and soft spoken socialist viz.,Sri.  Lal Bahadur Shastri would be nominated for the Office of the Prime Minister of India by the then Congress Party President Sri. K.Kamaraj, upon the death of Sri. Jawaharlal Nehru on 27th May, 1964. In his first broadcast as the Prime Minister on 11th June, 1964, Sri. Shastri  had stated,

'There comes a time in the life of every Nation when it stands at the crossroads of history and must choose which way to go. But, for us, there need be no difficulty or hesitation, no looking to right or left. Our way is straight and clear, the building up of a socialist democracy at home with freedom and prosperity for all, maintenance of world peace and friendship with all nations'.

Sri. Shastri promoted White Revolution, a nationwide campaign to increase the production and supply of milk by supporting the milk producers and underlined the need to boost India's food production by promoting the Green Revolution in India in 1965. He led the country during the Indo-Pak War in 1965 with his popular slogan 'Jai Jawan Jai Kisan' and the war formally ended with Tashkent agreement on 10th January 1966, where he passed away the following day. He was posthumously awarded with the Bharat Ratna.

Similarly, till 21st June 1991, many Indians were unheard of the name Sri. P.V. Narasimha Rao, who was sworn in as the 9th Prime Minister of India. And, till 16th May 1996, on which date he demited the PMO, none could even imagine his extra-ordinary skill of administration, major economic transformation and his ability to steer economic and political legislation through the Parliament, even at a time when he had a minority government. His term as a Prime Minister of India was an eventful one in India's history making paradigm shift from the traditional phenomenon of industrializing, economic model of previous modules. Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam described Rao as 'a patriotic Statesman who believed that the nation is bigger than the political system'. Dr. Kalam acknowledged that, Sri. Rao in fact asked him to get ready for Nuclear Test in 1996, but not carried out as the government at centre changed in general election of 1996 and later was conducted by Sri. Vajpayee led NDA government and Sri. Rao had even briefed Sri. Vajpayee on his nuclear plans.

Also, surprisingly, the then BJP President Sri. L.K. Advani during a BJP Conference held at Mumbai in November 1995, declared not-so-popular Sri. Vajpayee as the Party’s Prime Ministerial candidate in the forthcoming elections, even Sri. Vajpayee himself was reportedly shocked and unhappy with announcement. The BJP became the single largest party in Parliament in the 1996 - General Elections and Sri. Vajpayee became the Prime Minister of India. Sri. Vajpayee, subsequently served India three terms as a Prime Minister, first for term of 13 days in 1996, then for a term of 13 months from 1998 to 1999, thirdly for a full term from 1999 to 2004 proving himself as the best ever Indian Dignified Politician, Statesmen and a Poet having served the office of the Prime Minister of India other than Indian National Congress to have served for full 5 years term in office.

Likewise, till 22nd May 2004, none on this planet had even remotedly  thought that, an academician, economist, technocrat by name Dr. Manmohan Singh would be declared as the Prime Minister of India by UPA. It was a surprise not only for the entire world, but also for Dr.Manmohan Singh personally. By 26th May 2014, he had already freed India from the Licence Raj and slow economic growth. And, he has liberalised the Indian economy, to speed up development dramatically and during his term as the Prime Minister, Dr.Singh continued to encourage growth in the Indian market, successfully led the growth of an Indian economy with 8-9% economic growth rate and achieved its highest GDP growth rate of 9%, and, in his leadership, he proved India as the second fastest growing major economy in the world. 

Presently, it is quite common of every political party propagating the citizens that, firstly-they care the citizens most, secondly-they have the world's best manifesto and thirdly-they have the best leader with them, who is un-matchable, un-comparable and who can bring Heaven straight to Earth in no time. And, no parties are exceptions to this manner of hypothetical exaggerated propaganda (jumla). Interestingly, BJP, now a days  is much ahead than other parties in such kind of hypothetical exaggerated propagation as for Sri. Modi, Sri. Amit Shah, Sri. Adityanath Yogi, Sri. Yeddyurappa and many more, the list just goes on, endlessly. A remarkable  point to be noted here, is, insofar as Sri. Vajpayee, Sri. L.K.Advani, Sri. Murli Manohar Joshi, who neither wanted any hypothetical exaggerated propagation nor appreciated it anytime, since they were known by their originality, truthfulness and ethics and were against any such hypothetical exaggerated propagation.

The governments, today, are being formed only through hypothetical exaggerated propaganda (jumla). And, such political parties and so called their ‘best leaders’ having been given the opportunity to serve the nation, the voters get an opportunity to test and realise, whether those were only 'the propaganda for winning the elections' or 'what was propagated was a reality' , or 'only a dream shown which is far from reality'.

Generally speaking, those in the business of marketing clearly understand that, the best  and easiest way of marketing a brand or a product, is to make it popular somehow by spreading the name and news, truthful or otherwise. Else, they will not be able to seek the attention of the customers to attract, convince / lure them to sell their  product in the market. That is how the marketing skills are meant for and are working, by not being truthful always, but being attractive to the customers, convincing and being able to make / lure them to purchase the product, somehow. There are genuine and ethical marketing companies even which promote only truthful information, and, there are some, which are least bothered about truthful and ethical marketing to sell product and are only for making money. Analogous is the position with political parties, its leaders and party manifesto.

We have been witnessing since 2014 that, through meticulously designed media campaign and the magic of camera capturing, every act of Sri. Modi is dramaturgical performance. Sri. Modi is being projected as the best Prime Minister India has ever seen, a refreshing departure from all the earlier Prime Ministers like Sri.  Nehru, Sri. Lal Bahadur Shastri, Smt. Indira Gandhi, Sri.  P.V. Narasimha Rao, Sri.  Atal Bihari Vajapayee, Dr. Manmohan Singh. 

The deeper dissection shockingly emanates it from two sources (a) the colonisation of the life-word by the market and (b) the emergent culture of narcissism. It is therefore, not surprising that the fancy and misdirected MBA- Marketing graduates are often hired by the political establishments to project their leader as a 'brand' filled with all sorts of heroic qualities.

 Growing a business or a political party is not easy. First, one need to have a viable idea of marketing. Then, from there, one need to discover a profitable niche, define the target demographic of winning elections and have something of value to sell them. Building business or political parties with no marketing, is burdensome. And, without the right marketing strategies, to fuel its growth, churning a profit and staying afloat is virtually impossible. So only, they tend to project their leader as the only one with heroic qualities of James Bond / Superman / Spiderman / Batman / Robinhood and many more.

Democracy,  if becomes a sacrosanct concept that, even the harshest dictatorship like Korea and India, start calling themselves a democracy, then the question may emerge as to, what really is democracy ? 

The freedom fighters who died for the cause of liberating India and the Constitution makers who strived for democracy in India, knew the power of people and so they empowered people, than the rulers. In democracy, the rulers be able to rule, only till they enjoy the will, confidence and satisfaction of the people. The rulers are not to be confused themselves as permanent to their office. 

With very few illustrations as above, post-independence history clearly concludes that, India is not a barren-land striving for intellectuals, talented administrators, academicians, economists, scientists, politicians and statesman. Given the opportunity, many unheard, unseen talented personalities have proved their worth and credibility and led India to unimaginable heights.

Not necessarily every knowledgeable and talented personalities be popular figures, to get a chance, to prove their worth and credibility and to lead the Country. And, their popularity is immaterial, to prove their worthiness and credibility to lead the Country. What is required to lead the country, is, only the knowledge, administrative talent and skill, ability to lead the country in a systematic developmental path with no harm to anyone. And, those who lack these qualities and those who failed to prove their knowledge, worth and credibility in leading the country despite sufficient opportunities to lead, are unworthy to lead the country even if enjoying a popular government. 

With this, I summarise that, India is loaded with several alternatives given a chance to lead the country, and, there is absolutely no need to be insecure, or, to be dependent on any individual who is counted among failures, motor-mouths and as an illusory  impractical role-model.

And, those still having a question for themselves and for others as to 'who is an alternative to Modi’, need to read the post-Independence history of India again and again, till they find complete answer by themselves.

* * * * *