The Wilileaks about India are mainly cables sent by American diplomats posted in the country to look after American interests in various fields viz. political, economic,social etc. Etc. This is so in the case of all countries whose diplomats are posted abroad. These representatives exchange information with their countries about the happenings in the country of their posting which is the call of their duties. The views expressed in such exchanges need not be factually correct and may be biased influenced by personal prejudices etc. These are internal communications
Which are often spiced or sensationalised by the reporting officers to score brownie points from their governments. They have no legal relevance but only academic interest for the country reported upon.
2. It is therefore, astonishing as to why our political parties are giving too much attention and importance to the contents of these cables and wasting the nation's time and resources in discussing and debating in Parliament and outside. There are more important issues to debate and decide than the views expressed in these scraps of cables.Are we going to bother about what Russian and Chinese diplomats have written about us to their governments? Let us put an end to this topic and carry on with our core activities with the attitude of "who bothers what they say about us".
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Notes for Votes
The Wikileaks revelations regarding cash for votes during vote of confidence in Indian Parliament does not describe anything new about the working of UPA Government that we are not aware of. For the past almost one year we have been learning about the scams, frauds and conspiracies that the Government functionaries have been immensely involved in. It is like Scam of the day headlines that people of the country daily read in the News Papers and watch on the visual media The Government has totally become immune and insensitive to these charges since they control the investigating agencies and also realise the ineffective opposition parties. It is not the first time that money power has been used to stay in power.Starting from the Shibu Soren episode it has been a continuous. Modus operandi to cling to power.
2. What is perturbing the Indian masses is the fact that these unprecedented scale of corruption cases are happening under the steward ship of Dr. Manmohan Singh who carries the tag of impeccable integrity. How long this tag can stick to him is a question of time.What is preventing him to step aside from the coterie of corrupt if he is not able to control them. He has seen enough power and corruption under his feet and has now become ineffective to govern and should abdicate gracefully.
2. What is perturbing the Indian masses is the fact that these unprecedented scale of corruption cases are happening under the steward ship of Dr. Manmohan Singh who carries the tag of impeccable integrity. How long this tag can stick to him is a question of time.What is preventing him to step aside from the coterie of corrupt if he is not able to control them. He has seen enough power and corruption under his feet and has now become ineffective to govern and should abdicate gracefully.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Laptops, Grinders and Mixers for Votes
It is distressing to learn that during the election rallies in Tamil Nadu, both major political parties in the State are luring the voters with promises to give Lap Tops. Mixer, grinders etc. If voted to power. It is am unhealthy and unethical trend in a democratic system which can contaminate the entire country's election process in due course if not checked early.
2. One wonders how this form of corrupt practice is being ignored by the Election Commissioner. Offer of cash or in kind to solicit undue favours is normally punishable under the Corruption Act. There may be a legal lacunae in the strategy being followed by these politicos to escape the hand of law but the fact remains that morally it is an act of corrupt practice and merits punishment. There is an urgent need to take suitable measures to curb this practice and amend the law, if necessary. When such parties come to power and wish to meet half of these promises the common man will be grinded to pay double the cost of these freebies by way of taxes.
2. One wonders how this form of corrupt practice is being ignored by the Election Commissioner. Offer of cash or in kind to solicit undue favours is normally punishable under the Corruption Act. There may be a legal lacunae in the strategy being followed by these politicos to escape the hand of law but the fact remains that morally it is an act of corrupt practice and merits punishment. There is an urgent need to take suitable measures to curb this practice and amend the law, if necessary. When such parties come to power and wish to meet half of these promises the common man will be grinded to pay double the cost of these freebies by way of taxes.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Mayhem in Libya by U.S.A..
The revolutionary movements starting from Jasmine Revolution in Tunisia that spread in countries ruled by Despotic regimes in Middle East has regrettably taken a heavy toll of human lives. In all these countries there were voluntary uprisings by the masses suppressed by autocratic and brutal rulers for a long time. There was no direct or indirect support from outside forces. The human sacrifices in independence struggles are an integral part of such movements.
2. However, the situation in Libya has taken an ugly and dangerous turn. Col.Gadaffi has been clinging to power for more than forty years and has beaten all records of atrocities and brutalities inflicted on his people. The Libyan people inspired by the freedom movements in their neighbourhood picked up courage to revolt. They very clearly and vehemently declared that it was their struggle and no outside support was required. When the Gadaffi unleashed extreme force to suppress the movement to the point of genocide. United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 1973 authorising limited force to enforce "No fly Zone" to save human lives. The U.S.A. the self styled Policeman of the world declared that it will not participate in military action in the region. However, the facts are now transparent. The loss of human life in Libya in two days as a result of Air attacks by U.S. and allied forces is much more than Gadaffi could have in two months.
3. The question arises as to who has authorised U.S.A. to interfere in the internal affairs of the independent countries in the world. It seems no lessons have been learnt from Iraq and Afghanistan. The people in USA are reeling under worst economic crisis and can ill afford these types of misadventures. It is not impossible that people there will some day start a mass movement against their Government and its policies. Also there will be global condemnation leading to emergence of new blocks.USA and its allies should keep this in mind.
2. However, the situation in Libya has taken an ugly and dangerous turn. Col.Gadaffi has been clinging to power for more than forty years and has beaten all records of atrocities and brutalities inflicted on his people. The Libyan people inspired by the freedom movements in their neighbourhood picked up courage to revolt. They very clearly and vehemently declared that it was their struggle and no outside support was required. When the Gadaffi unleashed extreme force to suppress the movement to the point of genocide. United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 1973 authorising limited force to enforce "No fly Zone" to save human lives. The U.S.A. the self styled Policeman of the world declared that it will not participate in military action in the region. However, the facts are now transparent. The loss of human life in Libya in two days as a result of Air attacks by U.S. and allied forces is much more than Gadaffi could have in two months.
3. The question arises as to who has authorised U.S.A. to interfere in the internal affairs of the independent countries in the world. It seems no lessons have been learnt from Iraq and Afghanistan. The people in USA are reeling under worst economic crisis and can ill afford these types of misadventures. It is not impossible that people there will some day start a mass movement against their Government and its policies. Also there will be global condemnation leading to emergence of new blocks.USA and its allies should keep this in mind.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Time to Quit Mr. Prime Minister
Weikileaks revelations about purchase of Members of Parliament in 2008 during "No Confidence" motion against the Governmentdoes not describe anything new about the working of UPA Government that we are not aware of. For the past almost one year we have been learning about the scams, frauds and conspiracies that the Government functionaries have been immensely involved in. It is like Scam of the day that people of the country read in the News Papers and watch on the visual media every day The Government has totally become immune and insensitive to these charges since they control the investigating agencies and also realise the ineffective opposition parties. It is not the first time that money power has been used to stay in power.Starting from the Shibu Soren episode it has been a continuous. Modus operandi to cling to power.
2. What is perturbing the Indian masses is the fact that these unprecedented scales of corruption cases are happening under the steward ship of Dr. Manmohan Singh who carries the tag of impeccable integrity. How long this tag can stick to him is a question of time.What is preventing him to step aside from the coterie of corrupt if he is not able to control. He has seen enough power and corruption under his regime and it is in his best interest now to step aside. His proverbial silence and statements that he was not aware do not convince any one.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Lack of Governance
The Supreme Court's rebuke to the Government's for in action in proceeding against the notorious Stud Farm owner for stashing black money to the tune of $ 8 Million in a Swiss Bank is a well deserved rap on its knuckles. It is in a series of continuous cases of Scams, Frauds and Corruption where the UPA II Government has been turning a Nelson's eye but the vibrant Media and vigilant judiciary has to intervene. The Government machinery has remained unmoved even after these exposures became public. It is evident that Enforcement Directorate has been put into a state of hibernation and the CBI has been made a robot to go after only the opponents. It is indeed a sad period in the history of the country.
2. There have clinching evidences of corruption against persons like Ottavio Qutrocchi, Lalu Prasad, Maya Watt, Mullayam Singh Yadav,Madhu Koda but the nation is aware about the soft paddling for political reasons. Then we are submerged in series of Scams like CWG, Adarsh Society and 2 Scam. The king pin of CWG Scam is roaming free and raids in his lockers etc. are being conducted year after he was accused, A.Raja who was given a clean chit earlier is getting VIP treatment in Jail and information is still being collected against Mumbai Congress Chief Kripashankar Singh.If the Government and its agencies cannot probe and prosecute these cases, let these functions be out sourced to private agencies. Similarly, Swiss Banks may be permitted to open Branches in the country for Tax Free deposits, at least the money will remain in the country.
3. Lastly, is it a Coalition Dharma or the Corruption Dharma that restrains. Unfortunately, Prime Minister is losing credibility to govern as personal integrity is not a substitute for ineffective governance.
2. There have clinching evidences of corruption against persons like Ottavio Qutrocchi, Lalu Prasad, Maya Watt, Mullayam Singh Yadav,Madhu Koda but the nation is aware about the soft paddling for political reasons. Then we are submerged in series of Scams like CWG, Adarsh Society and 2 Scam. The king pin of CWG Scam is roaming free and raids in his lockers etc. are being conducted year after he was accused, A.Raja who was given a clean chit earlier is getting VIP treatment in Jail and information is still being collected against Mumbai Congress Chief Kripashankar Singh.If the Government and its agencies cannot probe and prosecute these cases, let these functions be out sourced to private agencies. Similarly, Swiss Banks may be permitted to open Branches in the country for Tax Free deposits, at least the money will remain in the country.
3. Lastly, is it a Coalition Dharma or the Corruption Dharma that restrains. Unfortunately, Prime Minister is losing credibility to govern as personal integrity is not a substitute for ineffective governance.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
The Budget & Aam Aadmi
The Budget proposals announced by Pranab Mukherjee our veteran Finance Minister are disappointing to the common man. Although our Prime Minister has patted the back of Fiance Minister for his proposals he has kicked at the back of the common man. The greatest concern of the common man at present is the dragon of inflation and black money and both these seem to have been ignored deliberately.The reason advanced is that inflation is inevitable for growth and the common man squeezed by surging essential commodity prices, low income and unemployment rightly questions "whose growth"? The rulers have perhaps, revised the definition of common man and have lost contacts with realities of life. It is possible to have growth with low rate of inflation by following appropriate fiscal measures and matching the conceptual and implementation of programmes.
2. It is a pro-corporate Budget with emphasis on industrial growth. Although it is being claimed that rural sector is being given financial assistance by way of low rate of interest on loans to boost agriculture production, it is a shallow claim. It is an established fact that agriculture in India is a gamble in rains and the Government has little role to play. It should have made sufficient allocations for storage of food grains that are lost every year to pests and rodents as well as exposure to natural elements.
3. The Budget has also deliberately ignored the Black money and corruption plaguing the country. The estimated 500 lakh Crores of money stashed in foreign banks, if brought back skillfully can turn our budget from deficit to surplus and escalate our GDP. But considering the impending elections in four states where use of black money is an essential ingredient it was not the appropriate time. A scheme of voluntary disclosure has has also been set aside.
4. The lollypop of raise in Income Tax for salaried employees and senior citizen is illusory as it will be neautralised by inflation and increased expenditure in diagnostic and hospitalisation charges which have been subjected to hike in taxation. The estimates of expenditures proposed are also unreliable as every Government has far exceeded the same. To sum up,the budget does not take care of the majority of citizens who have voted it to power to take care of their essential requirements of food,fuel and consumable items.
The sponsored Analysists appearing in the visual Media and in Print Media paying tributes to the Budget proposals do not impress any one except their sponsors.
2. It is a pro-corporate Budget with emphasis on industrial growth. Although it is being claimed that rural sector is being given financial assistance by way of low rate of interest on loans to boost agriculture production, it is a shallow claim. It is an established fact that agriculture in India is a gamble in rains and the Government has little role to play. It should have made sufficient allocations for storage of food grains that are lost every year to pests and rodents as well as exposure to natural elements.
3. The Budget has also deliberately ignored the Black money and corruption plaguing the country. The estimated 500 lakh Crores of money stashed in foreign banks, if brought back skillfully can turn our budget from deficit to surplus and escalate our GDP. But considering the impending elections in four states where use of black money is an essential ingredient it was not the appropriate time. A scheme of voluntary disclosure has has also been set aside.
4. The lollypop of raise in Income Tax for salaried employees and senior citizen is illusory as it will be neautralised by inflation and increased expenditure in diagnostic and hospitalisation charges which have been subjected to hike in taxation. The estimates of expenditures proposed are also unreliable as every Government has far exceeded the same. To sum up,the budget does not take care of the majority of citizens who have voted it to power to take care of their essential requirements of food,fuel and consumable items.
The sponsored Analysists appearing in the visual Media and in Print Media paying tributes to the Budget proposals do not impress any one except their sponsors.
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