All English Editorial 10.08.2021

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Just as no one can live a happy and productive life in
nonstop self-criticism, nations require more than facts—they
need stories that convey a moral identity. The long gaze in George
the mirror has to end in self-respect or it will swallow us up Packer
08 CHENNAI TUESDAY 10 08 2021

� �
To cement the success in Kashmir, there is a dire need for

INDIAN EXPRESS IS NOT AN a strategy with a clearly earmarked role for different
INDUSTRY. IT IS A MISSION. organisations. None of this should be left to imagination
J&K: STRATEGISE
— Ramnath Goenka
YET ANOTHER ALARM TO REINFORCE

BELL, ACT NOW ON
CLIMATE CHANGE
INITIAL SUCCESS
F
or three consecutive years, Karnataka
was battered by heavy rains, resulting in
landslides and floods. While its impact LT GEN SYED ATA Former Commander, Srinagar-based 15 Corps.
inevitably is on life, livelihood and the HASNAIN (RETD) Now Chancellor, Central University of Kashmir
economy, its cause is climate change due
AMIT BANDRE
to human activity. There is an irony. Human
A
activity aims at sustaining populations s the nation marked the second an- quent handling and the counter- largely found support due to them The decision to keep the Jammu by them to bring more obscuran-
through infrastructure development for bet- niversary of the constitutional de- narratives. Reforms, however, have setting right many of the existing and the Kashmir divisions togeth- tist theology to J&K to suppress
ter living. But nature-infringing projects cisions on Jammu & Kashmir tak- been undertaken to the extent pos- laws on gender and rights of the er as a UT is not fully supported by the tolerant and middle path Sufi
trigger climate change. This expresses itself en on 5 August 2019, the debate on sible in the limited functional time weaker segments of society. This many, but in national interest was order. The social domain holds the
which way the situation had moved and have begun to manifest results. will correct the social deficit that probably the most prudent option. key and it needs a huge amount of
through devastation on the very human con-
was largely uninformed. So hugely The commerce and infrastructure existed all these years. Politically However, more efforts are needed face-to-face engagement with the
ditions that are sought to be improved. polarised are the narratives within sectors have found new energy. Re- the importance of grassroots de- to remove antipathy between the local people if we wish to make
The fragile Western Ghats is being eyed for India based upon political leanings cent media reports indicate that mocracy was realised through the two segments that has existed for further progress.
more infrastructure projects. The impact is that the worth of the decisions for the new industrial policy an- conduct of the first-ever District long and especially got exacerbat- To cement the success and take
seen in massive landslides in the Malnad region national good is lost sight of. To im- nounced four months ago has re- Development Council elections. ed after 1989. I have long advocated the campaign of development,
besides flooding and washing away of roads in agine that the J&K issue has been sulted in the investment of almost While the delimitation exercise is mutual adoption of cities and even good governance and outreach to
North Karnataka. The effects of climate change resolved in our favour would be a `23,000 crore with a near-equitable on (the last one took place in 1995), districts to overcome bitterness. the people with integration as the
folly and yet to say that the deci- distribution between the Jammu there is every possibility of the Greater interaction through aim, there is a dire need for a strat-
are seen not just in one region, but from Uttara- sions were regressive would be an and the Kashmir segments. This Assembly elections taking place sports, education, trade and cul- egy with a clearly earmarked role
khand and Assam to Kerala and Maharashtra, untruth too. There are miles to go reportedly is well past the MoU in 2022 or 2023, which will lead to ture exchanges will have a salutary for different organisations and en-
with people suffering land and crop losses for and alienation continues to loom stage with actual transfer of funds. the formation of an elected gov- effect over the bitterness of a cou- tities. None of this should be left to
years, forcing them to shut production and shift large, but a huge dent has been Steel, telecom, cyber optics and ho- ernment. There is a popular ple of decades. Jammu has much imagination and self-perception.
to urban areas. The devastating floods in Eu- made into all that enabled separa- siery are the areas in which invest- groundswell in favour of Central to contribute to the nation through Let the prevailing peace never be
rope and China, besides the wildfires in Aus- tist trends to flourish with impu- ments have been made. If further rule among some segments of so- this act of outreach. No one under- mistaken for normalcy; a bounce
nity. The last two years have been stabilisation is achieved in the se- ciety fearing that Assembly elec- stands the problems of J&K as well back to negative days can always
tralia, Brazil and the US, have set alarm bells
partially consumed by post-deci- curity and political domains, state tions may bring back much of the as the people of Jammu do. be triggered if networks are al-
ringing more than ever before. Studies at the sion management. The pandemic officials expect this figure to touch same politics back to J&K. How- There can be no denial of the lowed to revive. Peace and stability
Divecha Centre for Climate Change (IISc) time has taken its toll on the energy and `35,000 crore by the end of the fi- ever, there is no better step to- fact that the one of the biggest ob- are necessary for the administra-
and again indicate that the water-holding ca- commitment to recover from the nancial year. wards cementing a good and bold stacles to the success of further tion to deliver on development.
pacity in the atmosphere increases by 7% with surprise decision and the sudden The expected anti-corruption decision than re-introduction of integration is the constant flow of The Army must not dilute its grid
each degree rise in atmospheric temperature, new empowerment. As such, a drive has been undertaken and all democratic norms. propaganda from Pakistan through for reinforcement of the northern
pragmatic and balanced assess- will progressively take more effec- social media; much of it is also borders. Holding the proverbial pe-
thus causing an increase in rainfall.
ment of what has transpired in tive shape with greater oversight generated within Kashmir. While riphery is as essential as it is for
On Monday, the UN’s Intergovernmental these two years can only be done and accountability exercised by separatist leaders and political the agencies and the local police to
Panel on Climate Change in its latest assess- peripherally. More important is to the Centre and the UT govern- ideologues appear to have been dismantle the numerous networks,
ment report stated that the world, which view the righting of many wrongs ment, as the pandemic eases. Tax- marginalised and even neutralised work on which is in progress. Bold
warmed 1.1 degrees Celsius since pre-industrial that were assisting the separatists ation laws have been streamlined; to some extent, one cannot say the decisions such as those taken on 5
levels, is now moving towards the 1.5 degrees and the Pakistani deep state to panchayats have received greater So hugely polarised are the same of the religious rabble August 2019 require intense follow-
Celsius mark. This is the critical threshold, fight the proxy war with relative attention with more devolution of narratives within India based upon rousers. Undercurrents of radical up as the risks they run are high.
ease. Most of these existed in the functions and funds. New laws of political leanings that the worth religious thinking seem to contin- The follow-up has to be strategised
which means absolutely no time left for mitiga- non-military domain and appear domicile have in no way opened ue although efforts to bring coun- and way points carefully identified
tion efforts. The symptoms are the warning of the decisions for national good is lost
well on the way to be corrected. the floodgates for people from all ter-narratives against radicalisa- to determine the path forward. Left
bells: change in precipitation and heavier rain- Two years into the process of at- over India to settle in J&K or own sight of. To imagine that the J&K issue has tion are being made by agencies. rudderless, such processes run the
fall, coastal erosion due to rising sea levels, and tempting a comprehensive end to property, but relevant empower- been resolved in our favour would be a This is one field in which adversar- danger of calamitous failure,
rising temperatures (this July being the warm- separatism, a change in sentiment ment of those denied property folly and yet to say that the decisions were ies will wish to protect their turf something that the nation just can-
est since 1901)—even as tree cover is being de- has begun and will take further rights all these years has been regressive would be an untruth too and prevent dilution; after all a not afford.
shape contingent upon our subse- achieved. The new laws have long campaign has been played out (atahasnain@gmail.com)
pleted, giving way to what we call “develop-
ment”, a recipe for landslides and loss of life
and livelihood. The impact of climate change is
gradual, but its mitigation should not be. The
time to act on a war footing is now. Repentance
is just not an option.
CAN E-COMMERCE PLATFORMS HAVE THEIR OWN BRANDS?
DEVELOPING ODISHA’S gopolistic markets will function
just as well as free markets. We
network. The problem here is not
that they will replace middlemen,
ucts under their own brand, along
with promoting them on their plat-
BACKWARD REGIONS
know that oligarchs tend to ex- but that they can augment their form by itself, is a violation of the
tract rent as compared to compet- platforms against other producers free market as it in effect puts a
T
KARAN BHASIN SOMYA LUTHRA itive firms, so why should oligopo- with the objective of monopolis- huge entry barrier for many. Then
here is a strong buzz in the western region listic markets be any different? ing even production, not just dis- there is the issue of de-platform-
New York-based Delhi-based
of Odisha that has witnessed a rush of de- policy researcher legal researcher
There is a fundamental differ- tribution or trade, of commodi- ing sellers with the intention of
ence if a retail store pushes for ties. Moreover, the use of benefiting one particular compa-
velopment activities of late. New projects their own products in their stores information for such purposes au- ny—again, an unethical practice.
T
were unveiled before the Covid second he other day, one of us came across price-matching and an interaction as we are dealing with an individ- tomatically puts the sellers on the That these practices exist is well
wave caused disruption. With the situa- a discussion on Twitter about a of multiple buyers and sellers. ual establishment there. However, platform at a disadvantage. known, as is the fact that e-com-
tion abating, a flurry of visits by the top bu- new brand of products being sold The only issue is that unlike con- e-commerce is different in terms This is precisely why there is a merce does provide us with utility
reaucracy to clearly pronounce timelines for on an e-commerce platform. The ventional markets, online plat- of the sizable scale of its opera- need to revisit whether such e- and convenience. The question
big-ticket infrastructure lying in the backburn- brand in itself was owned by the forms and the rules of trade on it tion. That is, such platforms have commerce platforms should be al- that we face is how to combine the
e-commerce platform. The next are dependent on the policies of humongous reach and flow of lowed to have their own brands in best of both worlds, that is, how to
er has coincided with a sudden awakening of
moment, there was a debate after the platform itself. data, which enables them to ade- the first place. Moreover, there is extract the benefits of efficient e-
the usually dormant Western Odisha Develop- a tweet by one of the authors about These policies may not neces- quately forecast the demand for also a need to discuss the use of commerce while preserving the
ment Council (WODC), a separate entity that this violating antitrust legislation sarily be different from the laws any particular item being sold proprietary information and eval- free nature of our markets.
the Naveen Patnaik government floated in 2000. and being unethical. governing trade and commerce in during a given period. Given their uate the rules governing the same, Given that these platforms es-
Now there is clamour in the power corridors However, many were quick to any particular country; however, scale of operations, they can including their dissemination. sentially provide us with a public
that the government is mulling a separate ad- point out that most retailers do there may be other technical rules launch a simple product under This should ideally be included in good, there is a case for more
push products under their own in excess of the laws that may ap- their own brand name, procure it the proposed data protection regu- proactive regulation in this space.
ministrative department for western districts
brand or with simple packaging at ply while participating through from a factory across the world in lations as well as the new rules Moreover, pushing for more such
to force the pace of development in the region. a discount. The issue of existing e- these platforms. For example, a bulk and distribute it across their concerning e-commerce. Further, e-commerce platforms to create
Politically, this is seen as a move to gain ad- commerce platforms having their finders’ fee levied by the market- there should be a serious enquiry greater competition will also help
vantage ahead of the crucial panchayat and own brand seemed like a problem, place may not be regulated and regarding antitrust issues along as markets will themselves disci-
urban body elections in the state. But politics which was subsequently discussed can also be arbitrarily deter- with a revisiting of existing trade pline all participants. However,
can wait. Development must not. The western by both the authors. This column mined. More so when these mar- rules to bring them up to date with given the capital-intensive nature
region has wallowed in backwardness despite is a culmination of that. ketplaces are owned by a few con- the digital world. of the sector, there is limited
We view e-commerce platforms glomerates, thereby limiting The essence of capitalism was in We must remember that the es- space for fresh entrants. There-
decades of focused plans. It’s exactly what had as marketplaces—that is, they competition and choice for the sence of capitalism was in compe- fore, we may have to bite the bul-
prompted Naveen to create the WODC to sup- competition and free markets were
serve as a place where multiple consumers and producers. In tition and free markets were sup- let here and work with regulation,
plement development initiatives through com- supposed to create that. Online
buyers come together and interact many ways, we have gone from posed to create that. Online restrictions on unfair trade prac-
munity-based projects. Twenty years hence, the with numerous sellers. In fact, on- having free markets to a situation marketplaces were a great enabler for marketplaces were a great enabler tices and an expanded set of vol-
council remains a body with little to no contri- line multi-brand platforms serve where we now have oligopolistic connecting buyers with sellers; however, for connecting buyers with sellers; untary disclosures to create a
bution—so much so that last year, the CAG even as an excellent example of near- markets with competitive firms they no longer serve as an example of however, they no longer serve as level playing field.
perfect markets in reality as there trying to push their products. The what a free market should look like an example of what a free market (karanbhasin95@gmail.com,
questioned its very continuance. Of the 89
is perfect information, real-time question really is whether oli- should look like. Releasing prod- somyaluthra@gmail.com)
blocks under 10 districts that come under the
WODC’s ambit, 34 are categorised as very back-
ward while 25 are backward. The apex audit
body found funds were pumped into developed
and developing blocks whereas the backward Avoid physical torture Stop assaulting medicos
legal aid and the availability of free fanned hatred against Hindus and other he defied all odds to win India’s second
ones received peanuts between 2015 and 2018.
Chief Justice of India N V Ramana was legal services is necessary. The increasing incidents of physical minority communities is well-known. So wrestling medal. He even removed the
With no autonomy and financial powers, the right in pointing out that the threat V Venkitasubramanian, Coimbatore assault on healthcare workers, the attack could have been done with protective strap over his knee, risking
WODC has been reduced to an extended arm of to human rights is highest in police especially doctors, across the country the support of higher authorities. a bigger injury, to go all out against his
the administrative department of the state. stations. As he observed, custodial No booster shots for now is a disturbing trend, especially in the Sanath Kumar T S, Thrissur opponent in the bronze medal match.
Now, instead of making a course correction and torture and other police atrocities still The World Health Organization has midst of the pandemic. Relatives of N A Santosh, Melattur
prevail in our society. The police need to rightly called for a stoppage of booster some patients don’t seem to hesitate Root out terrorism
empowering it, the government appears to be
be trained to extract facts from suspects doses of Covid vaccines as many to attack doctors in the event of an J&K L-G Manoj Sinha’s assertion that Creating a sports culture
taking a potentially risky move of creating a
using modern methods and avoid poor, underdeveloped and developing unfavourable outcome as they are he is committed to rooting out This is with reference to What Neeraj
dedicated department for the region. Politically physical torture. countries are still struggling to ensure assured about getting away with it terrorism from the Valley is welcome. moment means to athletics (Aug 9).
lucrative as it may appear, it could open the Dr M Haneef, Kottayam first doses to their citizens. There is thanks to legal inadequacies. Terrorism is a global issue and we India is brimming with talent, but its
doors for other regions to make a similar dean abundance of vaccine production in Dr George Jacob, Kochi must liaise with other countries to inability to bring it to the spotlight
mand. Southern districts that are part of the Raise awareness of rights richer nations. They should donate or eliminate this. is because people don’t choose it as
erstwhile Kalahandi Balangir Koraput (KBK) The CJI was right in saying that sell these excess jabs to the countries Can’t trust Pakistan Cicily Thomas, Muvattupuzha a career due to poor socio-economic
region too have similar unflattering develop- custodial torture and other police facing a shortage. The UN should Pakistanis are masters of lies and cover- conditions. It is time that society as well
atrocities are increasing in India. In spite coordinate vaccine distribution to other ups after every unethical act. Therefore, Defied all odds as authorities hunt for young talent in
ment indices. Hence it would be unwise on part
of constitutional guarantees, people are countries, especially those that don’t the reports of the arrest of the vandals Congratulations to wrestler Bajrang different streams, arrange for their all-
of the Odisha government to focus on political afraid to approach police stations. He have the scientific wherewithal to who attacked the Hindu temple in the Punia for the never-say-die attitude he round upliftment and create a genuine
benefits and remain oblivious to true develop- further said that to keep police excesses create their own. Punjab province could be deceptive. showed in the Tokyo Olympics, bagging sports culture in the nation.
ment needs. in check, awareness about our right to R Sampath, Chennai That the Pakistani state has long a bronze medal. Braving a knee injury, A M Chakravarty, Hyderabad
THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS

Chairman of the Board: Manoj Kumar Sonthalia Editor: G S Vasu Printed and Published by R K Jhunjhunwala on behalf of Express Publications (Madurai) Private Ltd., at Express Press, ‘Express Gardens’, 29, Second Main Road, Ambattur Industrial Estate, Chennai - 600 058. Chennai: Vol. 91, No. 189. RNI Reg. No. TNENG/ 1002/57.
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10 MUMBAI
TUESDAY
AUGUST 10, 2021
Opinion
{ OUR TAKE }
E STA B L I S H E D I N 1 9 24
A Taliban takeover
When all will hurt Pakistan
parties unite Pakistan’s spite for
Afghanistan and
northern towns of Shebergan, Kun- Majed Al-Qahtani, has just concluded
duz, and Sare-Pol. The Taliban victo- two days of consultations in New
ries in the north are a signal to the Delhi. The special representatives for
Uzbek and Tajik communities that Afghanistan are meeting in Doha on
The amendment on OBC reservations is paranoia about India their supposed strongholds are vul- August 12. Meanwhile, on the ground,
needed, but also exposes the limits of politics cloud its judgment. nerable. Britain’s chief of defence staff, Gen-
Kunduz had fallen twice before, in eral Nick Carter, is shuttling between The people of Afghanistan are unlikely to allow a peace dictated by the
Terror groups 2015 and 2016, but was retaken. Kun- Kabul and Islamabad brokering talks Taliban, which is seen as a proxy for Pakistan. While they might be
T
he Opposition’s decision to interrupt its have most to gain duz is infamous as the last remaining between Pakistan army’s chief, Gen- compelled to compromise on democracy and rights, they want to draft the
disruption of Parliament to support the bastion of the Taliban in November eral Qamar Javed Bajwa, and Presi- new constitution themselves and are loath to accept dictation REUTERS
A
fghanistan stands on the 2001, from where the cornered Tali- dent Ashraf Ghani.
Centre’s Constitution amendment bill to edge of an abyss. The ban, al-Qaeda, and Pakistani fighters The people of Afghanistan are Mullah Omar to settle the Durand hold over their assets, who have no
restore the powers of states and Union Taliban’s resurgence is were allowed to be airlifted to Paki- unlikely to allow a peace dictated by Line once for all. He got scolded for permanent loyalties, except to their
Territories to determine backward groups illustrates aided by many factors. stan. Zaranj is the starting point of the the Taliban, which is seen as a proxy his labours — how dare he raise the core cause.
The Doha Agreement, a road that India built in 2008 connect- for Pakistan. While they might be subject of frontiers between two India followed the Afghan govern-
what ties, and divides, Indian politics. The rare all- symbol of US defeat, has ing to the Kandahar-Herat highway at compelled to compromise on the brothers! ment’s lead in its contacts with the
party consensus on the bill is a reflection of how been a huge psychological setback for Delaram. Even at that time, preservation of democracy, Pakistan’s State structure, under- Taliban. There is, unsurprisingly,
reservations have come to be the holy cow of Indian the Afghan people and government. except for the road’s two human rights, and pluralism, pinned by its army, will come under great resentment in the Pakistani
The Afghan National Defence and end-points, the Taliban’s they want to draft the new strain if Afghanistan is Talibanised. establishment about this develop-
politics — no party can be remotely seen to be Security Forces do not have adequate presence in Nimroz was constitution themselves and There is no love lost between the Tali- ment. In the context of India’s con-
against it. It is also a reflection of the power of the mobility, medevac, weaponry, or ubiquitous. The India con- are loath to accept dictation. ban leadership and the Pakistan army tacts with the Taliban’s Doha office in
Other Backward Classes (OBCs) — each party woos ammunition. Besides providing sanc- struction team moved for- A return to the status quo because of the coercion it has been June, Pakistan’s national security
tuary and sustenance, the Pakistan ward in a security bubble of Jayant ante might not be as easy as it subject to since the time it took refuge adviser, Moeed Yusuf, said in an inter-
this heterogenous category and is apprehensive of army has opened supply lines for the considerable strength to appears. in Pakistan. Mullah Abdul Salam Zaef, view to The Dawn TV News that it is “a
doing anything that may come across as insensitive Taliban and gives it military guidance. protect against repeated Tal- Prasad Pakistan’s Inter-Services one of the co-founders of the Taliban, matter of shame” for India to have
to its aspirations. And it is a reflection of the limits of The leadership in Afghanistan is still iban attacks. The Taliban Intelligence (ISI) believes it wrote a long section in his autobiog- engaged with the Taliban.
in disarray. There is no operational has also launched offensives can continue to guide the raphy about the abusive behaviour of Pakistan has an opportunity to
the imagination of the political class in candidly unity among the Afghan government against Kandahar, Lashkar Gah, and Haqqani network and other sundry ISI, which he said was so reputed for right past wrongs and help secure
acknowledging the need for a revision in the and the communities willing to fight Herat. Ultimately, given their proxim- terrorist groups it supports, even after its perfidy that it could take milk out Afghanistan’s peace, stability, sover-
architecture of affirmative action in India. for Afghan sovereignty and republi- ity to the Pakistan’s border, the prov- the Taliban gains power. This seems of bulls! eignty, and independence, instead of
canism. The Afghan government is inces of Kandahar, Helmand, Zabul, improbable. When the Taliban was in It is terrorist groups such as the undermining these. Pakistan’s spite
The immediate trigger for the bill was a Supreme also losing the propaganda war. The and Uruzgan are vulnerable. power earlier, Pakistan’s ambassador, Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), East for Afghanistan and paranoia for
Court verdict which scrapped Maratha reservations Taliban’s current momentum on the Diplomatic activity is centred in Aziz Ahmad Khan, was unable to Turkestan Islamic Movement, and India cloud its judgment. These impel
because it exceeded the 50% reservation cap. But this battlefield is magnified manifold by Doha. The extended troika, compris- present his credentials to the Afghan Lashkar-e-Taiba, which will gain stra- policy choices that Pakistan will come
the pervasive defeatism of western ing China, Pakistan, Russia, and the head of State, Mullah Omar. When tegic space in Afghanistan, not Paki- to regret.
isn’t the issue the bill seeks to address. In the same media, which is projecting Kabul’s fall United States (Afghanistan is not a approached on the issue, Mullah stan. Though the focus of the Taliban
verdict, the court underlined that the power to as imminent. member, though its representatives Omar said that Pakistan and Afghani- and TTP are different, there has not
determine classification of backward groups rested The existential situation looks are expected to be present along with stan had fraternal relations, which been a single case of an attack by the Jayant Prasad is a retired diplomat who
bleak. The fall of Zaranj, the capital of those of the Taliban) is meeting in precluded the formality of State-to- Taliban on TTP, despite ISI wanting it. served as India’s
with the Centre. But states have had their own lists of Nimroz province, was quickly fol- Doha on August 10. The Qatari special State relations. Another time, Paki- Intelligence agencies such as the ISI ambassador to Afghanistan
OBCs, who are then eligible for state-level education lowed by Taliban victories in the envoy for Afghanistan, Mutlaq bin stan’s foreign minister tried to get tend to be overconfident about their The views expressed are personal
and employment benefits. The court ruling revoked
this right, and a plea by the Centre went unheeded.
Oxygen: Building a more

The amendment will restore the power of states to
draw and maintain their own list. And in that { TONY ABBOTT } AUSTRALIAN PM’S SPECIAL TRADE ENVOY
respect, the bill is necessary. The Centre cannot be
P
the sole authority in determining backwardness,
especially when there are widespread local
variations. A caste group in one state may, due to
resilient health system With the world’s other emerging
historical reasons of backwardness, classify as OBC, n 2020–21, air became more valuable headquarters.
superpower becoming more
but not in another.
But even as the bill is necessary, the political
consensus on it — in the backdrop of acrimony on
almost everything else — is telling. For the Bharatiya
I than gold. Shortages of medical oxygen All told, an estimated 1,500 PSA plants,
for Covid-19 patients hit hospitals 200,000 oxygen concentrators, and 100,000
around the world — Brazil, Peru, cylinders are now available not only to
Nigeria, Jordan, Italy, and the United States. tackle any future waves of Covid-19, but also
But nowhere was the problem more help save lives at risk from several other
belligerent almost by the day, it’s
in everyone’s interests that India
take its rightful place among the
acute than in India, which suffered a spike health conditions.
Janata Party (BJP), which has successfully cultivated nations as quickly as possible.
A
in cases due to both the rapid spread of the The opportunity exists to leverage all
a huge loyal OBC base, signalling to the community coronavirus in crowded cities and the those PSA plants, concentrators, and cylin-
that it is sensitive to its aspirations is necessary, heightened transmissibility of the Delta var- ders to plug gaps in the existing system. But
iant of the virus. Many Indians died in their if such a grid is not assembled carefully, the
especially in the run-up to the polls in Uttar Pradesh. homes, unable to secure admission to a hos- new oxygen assets could displace or inter-
For the Opposition, ensuring that states retain the pital, while the hospitals themselves were rupt existing LMO systems and put small
right to determine this list is essential to both running out of oxygen. fillers and transporters out of business. PSA
To take on China, rely

Medical oxygen is among the most essen- plants and concentrators need regular
preserving its base but also ensuring that the BJP tial and best understood of medical inter- maintenance — something most Indian
does not walk away with coming across as ventions. The earliest use of medical oxygen health care facilities cannot provide. We
championing OBC rights. But beyond the political dates back to 1798, when Thomas Beddoes, could face a situation where the current
calculus, what India needs is a careful, data-based,
just affirmative action policy, for the current
architecture has become a tool of power-sharing
considered the father of respiratory ther- oxygen ecosystem is disrupted, with no sta-
apy, used oxygen and nitrous oxide to treat ble system to replace it.
asthma, congestive heart failure,
and other ailments. The first oxy-
An ideal oxygen grid for the
country would work much like an
on diplomacy, military,
rather than actually addressing historic injustice.
gen cylinders, which could be
used in general anaesthesia, were
developed in 1868. Oxygen’s role
in acute care was established by,
electricity grid, with central gen-
eration (LMO), transmission
(tankers and cylinders), storage
(liquid and gaseous), and decen-
and counter-measures
among others, George Holtzap- Ramanan tralised production (PSA genera- he agreement for mutual disengage- India redeemed itself after the Chinese offen-
Act against rising

communal rhetoric
ple, who used it to manage a
young pneumonia patient in
1885.
The need for oxygen goes well
beyond Covid-19, and shortages
Laxminarayan
tors and oxygen concentrators).
No electricity grid would rely
on just decentralised solar or
micro-hydro plants, without cen-
tralised transmission and distri-
T ment of troops by China and India at sive in April-May 2020 by displaying no hesi-
the friction point of Gogra in eastern tation to spill blood or pay China back in its
Ladakh is a step forward for restoring own coin. The concept of “offensive defence”
the status quo ante of April 2020, when Chi- has guided India’s strategic infrastructure-
nese forces made a series of preplanned intru- building and force projection at LAC through-
are a constant problem in India. bution; similarly, a reliable sions across the Line of Actual Control (LAC). out this crisis, and this has compelled China
Pregnant women and children national oxygen grid should have Including Gogra, Galwan and Pangong Tso, to recalculate the costs and benefits of its
I
n early 2020, the national Capital witnessed its with pneumonia can die without multiple generation and storage the two sides have now stepped back at three expansionism.
bloodiest riots in 25 years. The riots happened supplemental oxygen. Improving components. contested points, while the standoff continues The third lesson is that since diplomatic
the quality of the oxygen pro- Indu Other issues are specific to an at other strategic locations and is unlikely to resolution of the crisis is dependent on mili-
after protests against the Citizenship (Amend- gramme at health facilities in oxygen grid. LMO is cheap to pro- be speedily resolved. tary operations and show of strategic deter-
ment) Act, a polarised election with communal Papua New Guinea reduced over-
Bhushan duce but expensive to transport Nonetheless, there are lessons to be learnt mination, India must persist on the path of
rhetoric, and the failure of the law and order machi- all pediatric deaths by 40% and over long distances into remote from the three areas where China “peace through strength”.
deaths due to pneumonia by 50%. areas. PSA plants can be helpful and India have disengaged. The first The Narendra Modi government
nery to anticipate and then tackle the violence. Just- Hypoxemia, lack of oxygen in the blood- in places that are poorly served by LMO sup- is that sustained diplomacy yields has to keep bringing bargaining
ice for the riot victims remains elusive, and there are stream, can cause complications in a range pliers but require significant inputs of elec- dividends. Thanks to several rounds chips to the dialogue like it did in
questions about the investigation process and whe- of conditions, including severe malaria, car- tricity and are not economically viable as of talks, the two Asian giants have 2020 by occupying the strategic
diovascular disease, and traumas that cause standalone operations. Oxygen concentra- avoided an intensified conflict that heights of the Kailash range of
ther it is being used to frame dissenters and let the blood loss. tors also consume large amounts of electric- seemed a possibility after the Gal- mountains, and letting the Chinese
Sreeram
culpable get away. But the riots showed that Hindu- Supplemental oxygen helps buy the body ity. wan clash. The joint poring over of know that India can neutralise
time while doctors treat the source of the Both PSA plants and concentrators have maps of each military’s perceptional Chaulia China’s bilateral asymmetry in mili-
Muslim relations in Delhi are fragile.
problem. Doctors also administer oxygen compressors and moving parts and are, lines and claims at LAC, and interac- tary and economic power through
And that is why recent incidents must serve as a when patients are put under anaesthesia in therefore, susceptible to breakdown under tions, have conveyed in direct terms other cards. This may include acti-
wake-up call for all political parties in Delhi, the surgery. harsh conditions; backup from other gener- what each side wants and prefers, and shown vating and operationalising Quad to apply
Delhi government and the Delhi Police, which As the second wave of the coronavirus ation or storage options is required. We where the potential for mutual pullbacks lies. multilateral counterbalancing pressure in the
pandemic in India has highlighted, shorta- know of remote health centres that The subtle involvement of Russia as a creative Indo-Pacific; imposing greater barriers to Chi-
reports to the ministry of home affairs. On Friday, a ges of medical oxygen are not uncommon in requested concentrators but are now go-between to lower the heat has also helped. nese goods, technology and investments; and
residents’ federation organised a mahapanchayat urban India, and it is not available at all in returning them because they are simply While China and India nurse long-term reopening the sensitive issues of the status of
against the construction of a Haj house and wrote a remote areas. unusable. Oxygen does have one advantage suspicions of each other’s intentions, goals Tibet and Taiwan.
The pre-Covid-19 system relied almost over electricity: It is easier to store. and international alignments — and these will A difficult path lies ahead in India-China
letter to the lieutenant-governor, warning of riots; entirely on liquid medical oxygen (LMO), A sustainable oxygen grid — one that sup- not dissipate anytime soon — the LAC crisis relations, especially as the India-United States
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s local leaders are which is generated largely for industrial plies medical oxygen when and where it is diplomacy has focused on tactical specifics at (US) strategic partnership is maturing and
active in the campaign. On Sunday, a former city BJP use. Only 15% of liquid oxygen is directed to required — needs both centralised and the friction points. The message is that the China-US ties are plumbing the depths. With
medical uses. decentralised production, plus reliable two neighbours will not stop competing for approximately 50,000 troops on each side
office-bearer organised a rally at Jantar Mantar, Eighty per cent of India’s LMO is gener- transmission, and storage. Such a system power and influence in Asia and beyond, but remaining at LAC, the potential for fresh vio-
ostensibly to demand a uniform civil code. But ated in just eight states and then trans- would ensure that rural areas are served they can manage the disputed border situa- lence cannot be ruled out. While Indian mili-
reports and video footage show that this was marked ported to other states. But liquid oxygen and that oxygen can be diverted to hotspots. tion from sliding into war. tary proactiveness has proven to be an imper-
cannot be moved quickly, and transporta- The coronavirus pandemic has given us The second lesson is that diplomatic par- ative to get China to make limited conces-
by hate speech, targeted at Muslims. The police, on tion infrastructure problems create shorta- the opportunity to build back better. We leys are necessary but not sufficient. Without sions, this kind of equilibrium is unstable and
Monday, filed a first information report against ges outside of tier-1 and tier-2 cities. can, and should, develop a medical oxygen a demonstration of military deterrence and risks unwarranted escalation.
“unknown persons” for the slogans. Oxygen resources — pressure swing infrastructure that can keep pace with our resolve, an aggressive and expansive China Peace through strength is a delicate tight-
adsorption (PSA) plants, oxygen concentra- ongoing needs, the pandemic, and any cannot be sweet-talked into dismantling its rope walk. But the gauntlet China has thrown
The BJP must rein in local elements at the tors, and cylinders — have recently entered future threat. bunkers and semi-permanent structures or is such that India does not have the option of
forefront of the politics of hate. The Delhi Police has the country with both significant invest- driving back its tanks and armoured vehicles shying away from matching Chinese moves
a new commissioner in Rakesh Asthana, who must ment from the national government and to pre-April 2020 positions. on the ground and in world capitals. Only a
support from private philanthropy. PSA Ramanan Laxminarayan is an economist, epide- China has withdrawn from three combination of bravery and wisdom can suc-
prove his professional credentials by cracking down plants use an adsorbent like zeolite to sepa- miologist, and founder of OxygenForIndia.org encroached portions only after witnessing ceed in this long-drawn-out crisis.
early on such potentially volatile incidents. And the rate nitrogen from air under pressure. With Indu Bhushan is a health economist, India’s willingness to use countervailing
Aam Aadmi Party, which governs Delhi, must play a funds from PM CARES and contributions senior associate with the Johns Hopkins Univer- force, do mirror deployment or outnumber Sreeram Chaulia is the author of the forthcoming
from donors, the Government of India has sity and former chief executive officer the Chinese military at some points, and book, Crunch Time: Narendra Modi’s National
constructive role, along with all local stakeholders, committed to providing one PSA plant and of Ayushman Bharat mount counter-offensives across what China Security Crises
Hindu and Muslim alike, in building trust. one LMO storage tank for every district The views expressed are personal claims to be its side of LAC. The reality is that The views expressed are personal
RNI No. MAHENG/2005/15186, Air Surcharge : Ahmedabad, Nagpur and beyond by Rail or Road - Rs. 2 /-.
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4
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Migrants & locals: Both pawns in the game

Language, land, culture and identity have increasingly been seen as
connected, so concerns over the Bhumiputra Bill are justi�ed
If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that
we belong to each other
>The writer has
Mother Teresa been a journalist
and commentates
as a Devil’s
Advocate on Goan
Uphill task ahead

life
for Chidambaram FREDRICK NORONHA
T O
he Congress high command, in a swi� move, deputed ver the past week, the “Bhumipu-
seasoned campaigner and veteran party strategist P Chi- tra” debate has aroused emotions
like few others. On the plus side, so debatable and under dispute, especially party issues in this. Yet, our politicians are
dambaram as party’s senior election observer to Goa. The many persons have seriously begun debat- by Goa’s aboriginal and tribal peoples, an amorphous lot. Those in one party, and
appointment re�ects a sense of seriousness with which ing issues of governance, political agendas, then what’s its logic? swearing by one set of beliefs today, can
Congress central leadership is approaching the elections. short-cuts to power, and the like. But on the In any case, we seem to be playing easily be in another party tomorrow. So
negative side, the law has also raked up a around with only the minor aspects of the it’s not a question of replacing Party A by
But, can Chidambaram bring together warring sections within the huge Goan-versus-migrant chasm. law, and overlooking the more critical as- Party B alone, but a much taller task than
State unit and give the party a sense of direction by taking a �rm de- This could de�nitely be counterproduc- pects. that.
tive; even if this is the simplest way to un- This whole debate opens up quite a few Above all, we are reminded, eighthly,
cision on leadership? These are the questions that will need answers. derstand the law which awaits the Gover- wider and related questions. First, how of the enormous control that the politi-
The vast experience of the urbane leader from Tamil Nadu who has nor’s assent. e�cient, transparent and participative is cian-bureaucracy class has over our lives.
been in the news since the 1980s and his exemplary leadership skills Goa’s sudden development isn’t an issue the process of legislation. The few days on If so, ninth, we need to ask ourselves:
about migrants and Goans, but about land which our palatial and costly Assembly what can we do to rectify this situation?
could bode well for the Cong. The three-time Union Minister of Fi- loot and the rule of law. About the shape of meets each year have already been noted This, a�er all, is not the case of one law
nance is currently seen as a prominent voice in the Opposition at the today’s politics (in Goa and beyond) and elsewhere in the media. alone....
Centre excoriating Prime Minister Narendra Modi on several policy the struggle of most to earn a decent living. Connected to this, how representative This brings us to the tenth issue: that
About the transfer of Goa’s resources on a and accountable are our lawmakers? We of land rackets. For a fact, the vested in-
decisions and also gradually emerging as the consensus choice of a phenomenal scale and the many promis- know many of them, and their supporters, terests are simply far ahead of everyone
group of Opposition for the Prime Ministership post at the next elec- es of Liberation. About the injustice to one come up with glib arguments in TV stu- else in the game. Some seem to have
tions polls. section of the population and all kinds of dios. But, at the end of the day, are they learnt from politicians in neighbouring
bombastic promises to another section. It’s even remotely meeting the needs of their states, notably Maharashtra. Alito Seque-
Moreover, Chidambaram is known to be forthright and outspoken. about the divide and rule policies against constituents? ira, the former Goa University sociologist
It was during the Bihar election debacle, he said that the Congress the struggle of almost all to earn a liveli- Thirdly, our citizenry is also responsi- who was remembered in Goa on his sec-
hood. Migrants and locals are both pawns ble for our state of a�airs. Of course, one ond death anniversary this week, once
lacked an organisational presence on the ground, an honest and in the game, for sure. cannot blame the voter for political defec- explained with concrete examples how
bold admission in times of defeat that le� party leaders exposed. In “There was no tiger chasing the govern- tions, a limited choice to vote for, and gov- landlords-tenants-politicians and all had
Goa, Chidambaram walks in when the organisational setup is in dis- ment for it to have passed this bill,” advo- ernment formation in line with the wishes worked out ways to beat the game.
cate Uday Bhembre has argued in an online of New Delhi. But, for sure, citizens have a Land rights are indeed an issue for
array, with rebellion splitting the rank and �le, and the leadership video that went viral. As he put it: “Even a responsibility to keep track of those wield- many in Goa; but what o�cialdom pro-
losing the con�dence of seniors. hippy could have illegally stayed on (for 30 ing power in their name are up to. poses is far from the solution. Most are
The veteran Central leader’s presence will infuse some adrenaline, years). Is he too a Bhumiputra?” Fourthly, one wonders whether we caught up with the intense bureaucrat-
In a pre-election year, such an issue is have any statesmen among our political ic-political stranglehold over the system.
but there will be questions about wheth- wrapped with a lot more potency. This is class today? Or, ��hly, what vision at all Besides, there’s the legacy of poorly pro-
Goa will be a completely er Chidambaram would get into tricky a godsend to every ambitious politician. do we have for a Goa as a region? Let’s re- cessed and heavily politicised land re-
new turf for the seasoned organisational issues. Elections strat- Those on the ruling side will dole out oodles mind ourselves that this is a place that has forms.
of promises. If you’re in the Opposition, you survived many onslaughts, con�icts, and Language, land, culture, and identity
leader, and with barely egies and plans can fructify only if the too have a good controversy in the making. Land rights much in�ghting too over the centuries, have also increasingly been seen as con-
six months for elections, leadership issue, which is kept hanging Fear sells. So does the promise of a land lot- are an issue and perhaps come out the better for it? nected. So, concerns over this are justi-
Chidambaram will have even a�er the Delhi meeting, is settled. tery. for many in Issues like the Bhumiputra law make �ed. Without this, cultural erasure be-
The Goa Government obviously over- one wonder about the nature of our pol- comes a possibility. Cultural Erasure is
limited time to study the If we may recall, Rahul Gandhi, in his played its hand. It therefore hurriedly of- Goa but what itics, sixthly. Why do we need a polaris- seen as the gradual removal of various tra-
party leaders in the State interaction with State Congress leaders, fered to change the name of the law, drop- o�cialdom ing controversy with irregular regularity, ditions and customs from society -- gradu-
and assess their strengths ping the Bhumiputra concept. But here’s proposes is once every decade or so? One that simply ally at �rst, till there is a transition from a
skirted the leadership issue and instead
and weakness the rub: the law has been justi�ed on the
far from the divides the people and sets them on the state of prominence to a rarity in everyday
stressed unity. Before Chidambaram grounds that it bene�ts “Bhumiputras”. But warpath against one another? life. Does that sound familiar in the con-
if the de�nition of “Bhumiputras” is itself solution Seventhly, and unfortunately, some see text of Goa?
embarks on his new assignment, he will
have to give clarity on who is going to lead.
Goa desk in-charge Dinesh Gundu Rao had pushed the ball in the
court of the high command and has also failed to bring the warring THE INBOX >> I
sections together. He has mostly indulged in a critique of the Pramod
Sawant government. The party appears to be wavering in its promis- Blacklist banks failing There are many such instances that have
es to its cadre that defectors and party deserters will not be rehabil- to meet customer needs Doctors must stick to their expertise occurred in the past wherein linesmen
and workers have either been seriously
Medical professionals must restrict themselves to the subject injured or have lost their precious lives on
itated. Over the last few years services at the that they are well-versed with. Can an oncologist o�er advice in
banks have been in total disarray. It was the spot.
However, with Benjamin Silva recalled and former AAP Conven- gynecology? Such workers lack safety kit and hence
only those business tycoons who emp- Coronavirus is an infectious disease and steps to control the
or and a �erce critic of the Congress Elvis Gomes given a grand wel- tied the banks and fled the country that their innocent lives remained subjected
same must come from specialists. Does the Task Force in Goa to great risk and danger.
come, the party appears to be heading for a bigger crisis during ticket were well served. and the Centre have such a specialist on board?
For years the service at the Syndicate O�cials at the electricity department
allocation. Recently, it was reported that a professor studying infectious must be sympathetic to this serious mat-
Bank in Ribandar has been extremely diseases and epidemiology had used various models to con-
The biggest drawback of Congress has been its indecisiveness dur- pathetic. Due to lack of sta� and poor ter and see to it that the much needed
clude that vaccinating children is key to herd immunity. It must safety kit is provided so that workers
ing election time. Clear leadership and direction are habitually lack- internet connectivity, people having to be noted that the CDC has also stated the Delta variant is so remain safe.
ing, and the few decisions that are being taken, although strategical- wait at times for hours was the norm. infectious that it can spread like chickenpox.
A�er the merger, the bank has been now In case the said work is allotted to any
ly planned to checkmate opposition ahead of the polls, lack a clear In Goa, a medical cell, headed by an oncologist had demanded contractor, the said party must be ad-
re-christened as Canara Bank but that opening up tourism saying that lockdowns and curfews were vised to provide the safety kit for workers
consensus within the seniors. poor unacceptable service has just gone useless! He also made a case for reopening schools a fortnight compulsorily before commencement of
from bad to worse.
Goa will be a completely new turf for the seasoned leader, and with This may be the plight of customers in
a�er Chaturthi. Making senseless statements does not augur the necessary maintenance work.
well for professionals who are not well-versed with the subject.
barely six months for elections, Chidambaram will have limited time other banks too which the authorities We all know that the present curfew is surely helping the State PRAVIN U SARDESSAI, Adpai
to study the party leaders in the State and assess their strengths and cannot remain silent spectators as every to keep a check on the virus. Opening schools without vaccinat-
weakness. However, in a chaotic scenario, there are a lot of expecta-
bank customer is entitled to proper and ing students will be a rash decision. That is why we must have Promote clothes made
tions on Chidambaram.
prompt customer service.
It is imperative that the Reserve Bank o�-
the right person in the right job.
Herd immunity is the key, not herd mentality.
of Kunbi saree cloth
cials pay surprise visits to banks across It is learnt that the Goa government is
Goa and see for themselves the agony R FERNANDES, Margao making serious e�orts towards securing
customers have to su�er. Geographical Identi�cation (GI) tag for
Corrective measures must be taken to Kunbi saree. This is reportedly being done
ensure that all banks function the way in order to showcase the Kunbi saree as
OPEN SPACE >> they should. Banks that do not fall in
unheard of anywhere in the world and
the pride of Goa at various programmes.
line must be penalized and blacklisted Kunbis are the earliest settlers of the state
for very poor service and failing to meet this legislation gives license to grab hence the Kunbi saree has been manu-
Clueless leaders are customer needs. properties.
Moreover word ‘Bhumiputra’ in the
factured even before the Portuguese rule.
Most of the traditional attires of the states
in charge of Congress
AIRES RODRIGUES, Ribandar name of the bill will damage the identity are indeed stunning and the people of
and originality of the particular commu-
Bhumiputra Bill: License nity in the state. Elections to the state
the state wear it with pride. It is said that
among all the states of India, the north
P to grab properties
resident Girish Chodankar had clearly said a couple of days back that 75 Assembly are scheduled to be held in eastern state of Assam boasts of a tradi-
to 80 per cent of the party candidates for the ensuing Assembly elections early 2022. This is a jumla which is being tional attire that is uniquely beautiful. In
The Goa Assembly passed the Goa done by the BJP government aimed at
would be young and new faces. Bhumiputra Adhikarini Bill, 2021, which Kerala it is the white saree with golden
Unfortunately, the same Girish along with Digambar Kamat is currently seen the 2022 elections. border while men wear the traditional
the government says will provide for a
hurriedly recruiting rejected leaders from rival political parties and dreaming mechanism to give ownership rights to K G VILOP, Chorao lungi. The Kashmiris wear clothes which
of forming the next government. are a delightful fusion of bright colours.
A�er recruiting the former independent MLA from Velim Benjamin Silva
dwellers of small housing units to enable
them to live with dignity, self-respect and Provide safety kit Tamil Nadu is famous for its Kanchipuram
amidst high drama, Chodankar & Co has recruited Elvis Gomes who was in
AAP.
to exercise their right to life.
Bhumiputra which means son of the soil
for workers Send your
sarees. Gagras, cholis, salwar kameez,
kurtas, etc. are the other traditional attires
In fact, Chodankar even said his party won’t mind welcoming and recruiting As on August 8 at 12:30 pm, workers which are unique in other States.
many more leaders from other political parties who wish to join the Congress.
was a term so far used to refer to tribals undertaking the work of joining the main letters to us Traditionally, the Kunbi is a cotton cheq-
The reason why the Congress was rejected a couple of years back was because
of Goa -- namely Gawda, Kunbi, Velip electrical wires over electricity poles at editor@ uered sari in red and white with a sturdy
communities. But the bill will hurt the
most Goans were fed up seeing the same old faces (including defectors/im-
very fundamentals of Goa and its resi-
near ‘Khadpabandh Gardens’ complex thegoan.net. weave. Fashion designers need to come
at Khadpabandh in Ponda were noticed
ports from other parties) for years. dents at large. without any safety kit. Letters must forward and fashion the traditional de-
Unfortunately, leaders like Chodankar seem to have still not learnt lessons sign of the Kunbi saree cloth in various at-
and are currently running the party like one garbage collection truck.
Those who have constructed houses
They neither wore safety belt nor a be 150-200 tractive forms both for women and men.
illegally will be rewarded, while honest words and
Yes, the BJP can be easily defeated only if the Congress henceforth decides to people in the state who have followed helmet. Such a situation can prove dan- Goans should wear such clothes with
unleash young faces almost everywhere and is allowed to have a one-two-one legal processes will be shunned. gerous to their lives. In case they lose mention the pride which will promote the traditional
�ght against all the BJP candidates. balance at a higher location, they would writer’s name Goan attire.
This Bill is nothing but a systematic
JERRY FERNANDES, Saligao indeed have fallen to the ground thereby
attempt to defeat rule of law. This law is
leading to their unfortunate death. and location ADELMO FERNANDES, Vasco
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t h e da ily gua r dia n
t u e s day | 10 augu st 2 0 2 1
new de l h i comment & analysis 5
Monsoon session
Wrong to disrupt Parliament

on Pegasus fiction
Pegasus is a non-serious issue for people struggling for their daily bread. Go and ask
anyone on the street and not arm-chair editors, and you will find your answers.
enforcing agency saying their
phones were hacked. In India
none has yet approached the
police or court to make such
opinion a claim. Congress spokesper-
son Abhishek Manu Singhvi
said that the government is
SUDESH VERMA avoiding a discussion in Par-
liament on the Pegasus issue
as it knows that the Opposi-
tion would pin them down.
plan their move and raise If the Congress had any au-
the issue in Parliament. In thentic information, it would
national interest, if at all, in- have presented the same to
quiry should be done on this. the Supreme Court. It only
When an international wants to settle political
organisation, Amnesty scores by raising the issue.
International, that had to Either you prove that the
shamefully leave India for government is wrong, or
not following the law of the you accept the version of the
country, and Forbidden Sto- government. It is an elected
ries funded by George So- government with a massive
ros, join hands their agenda majority and has more cred-
would be clear. If so-called ibility than some interna-
U
nless extended, Par- farmers’ agitation can have tional organisations or me-
liament’s monsoon a toolkit (thanks to an inad- dia houses that have openly
session will con- vertent tweet by Greta Thun- demonstrated their opposi-
clude this Friday leaving the berg that led to revelation tion to the Modi government. upon.” The minister quoted from getting passed in Par- entire session for snatch- that the Prime Minister must if the Opposition decides not
Opposition bruised and the about the toolkit), there is It cannot be accepted that the report which said: “The liament. The Congress sup- ing and tearing a statement intervene to end Parliament to allow the houses to func-
government fuming. People quite a possibility that there you come out with wild al- presence of a phone number ported the anti-CAA move- from IT minister Ashwini logjam. He also said that the tion. Any Parliament ses-
would continue to ask if the is a grand design to destabi- legations and try to put the in the data does not reveal ment without getting into the Vaishnaw’s hand. Some days government was using the sion is convened to enable
Opposition is right in hold- lise India. government on the mat by whether a device was infect- merits of the legislation. later Rajya Sabha Chairman language of enmity. “If the the government to transact
ing the entire session to ran- This line of thinking has asking it to prove that the al- ed with Pegasus or subject to The same happened on the M. Venkaiah Naidu had Prime Minister himself inter- legislative business and give
som over Pegasus merely on more credence now that the legations are not correct. an attempted hack. Without so-called farmers’ agitation, suspended six members of venes and tells his people to the Opposition opportunities
the basis of a questionable Supreme Court has refused Hence, based on such a re- subjecting a phone to this when laws passed by Parlia- TMC from the House for a break the ice and say ‘we are to debate the legislative pro-
report. to entertain a petition merely port if you stall proceedings technical analysis, it is not ment were being opposed on day when they displayed ready to discuss everything’, posals and also to raise issues
Is Pegasus the issue? Not on the basis of a report. There of Parliament, questions are possible to conclusively state the street. The Opposition placards in the well of the it is still possible to discuss. of public importance. While
at all. Union Home Minister is no investigation to estab- bound to be raised on your whether it witnessed an at- may have thought that this House in complete defiance If possible, extend the ses- the government would still
Amit Shah was correct when lish the veracity of the report. ulterior motives. It is not tack attempt or was success- would create an unprec- of the Chair. These six TMC sion to make up for the time transact business since it has
he said that these were dis- Opposition leaders trust the that the government has fully compromised.” edented movement against MPs were Dola Sen, Nadimul we have lost. We can sit after got the majority to get any
ruptors and obstructers NSO for saying that it sold not responded. IT minister The minister quoted the the Modi government. While Haque, Abir Ranjan Biswas, August 15.” legislation enacted, the Op-
conspiring to malign India the Pegasus software only Ashwini Vaishnaw has given NSO which denied having a section of vested interests Shanta Chhetri, Arpita A joint statement issued position has lost the golden
internationally. The tim- to government agencies, but a statement in both Houses any such list. The NSO that is still protesting, most farm- Ghosh, and Mausam Noor. by Opposition leaders said: opportunity to discuss these
ing is important and it can- they don’t trust the same on 19 July and parliamentary owns Pegasus also said that ers want to benefit from the Those in Opposition also “It is unfortunate that the issues.
not be a mere coincidence. NSO when it says the list is affairs minister Pralhad Joshi the list of countries shown government’s determination approached the Supreme government has unleashed This also shows that Op-
Disrupt the short session of fabricated and that the NSO has stated that Opposition as having used Pegasus was to empower farmers. The Court for ordering an investi- a misleading campaign to position parties do not have
Parliament and try to keep does not have access to any members can seek clarifica- also incorrect. record production and pro- gation into the issue. The Su- malign the combined Op- anything substantial to dis-
the momentum till Uttar information about people in tions if they want. Vaishnaw reminded the curement of both Wheat and preme Court has asked some position and blame it for the cuss on pressing issues such
Pradesh Assembly elections the list. The IT minister deftly ar- Congress about “established Rice have shown this. pertinent questions on which continued disruption in the as Covid-19 and the possi-
due early next year. Now the Opposition is argued that based on three protocol of surveillance and The West Bengal Chief prominent lawyers who be- Parliament. The responsibility of a third wave, farm-
They know that the Uttar guing that when France and factors—the report itself, the fact that any form of il- Minister has tried to take the long to the Congress had no bility for the deadlock lies ers’ issues, floods and price
Pradesh Assembly elections Israel have ordered an inves- the denial by the NSO about legal surveillance is not pos- lead by appointing a Judicial answers. Why had none filed squarely at the doorsteps rise. These are the issues
are crucial and it is a do or tigation, why can’t India do existence of any such list and sible with the checks and bal- Commission in the state to a complaint under the IT and of the government, which that concern the common
die battle for them. One can the same? The NSO has wel- the established protocol that ances in our laws and in our look into the Pegasus issue. Telegraph Act? Also, why no remains arrogant and obdu- man. Who loses by such
recall that Congress leader comed the investigation and stops illegal snooping—one robust institutions.” After this she should have efforts were made to gather rate and refuses to accept the disruptions in Parliament?
Rahul Gandhi tried a similar is confident that their claims could safely say through the In the light of the above been silent. The merits of evidence despite such a re- Opposition’s demand for an The government? The Op-
trick ahead of the 2019 Lok would prove to be correct. prism of logic that “there is the Opposition should have appointing such a Commis- port first appearing in May informed debate in both the position? Or, the people?
Sabha elections when he To say that India should do no substance behind this realised its fault of jumping sion would pale into insig- 2019? Houses. The Opposition once Pegasus is a non-serious is-
tried to dent Prime Minister what France has done is il- sensationalism”. the gun and allowed Parlia- nificance before her desire And now the matter has again urges the government sue for people struggling for
Narendra Modi by imagin- logical. France does many He stated on the floor of the ment to function. But casu- to become the fulcrum of the gone to the apex court, there to respect parliamentary their daily bread. Go and ask
ing corruption in the Rafale things which India has not House that the report was alty is the reason when you entire Opposition so that she is no reason for the Opposi- democracy and accept the anyone on the street and not
deal and his jibe “Chowkidar done and if Indian govern- sensational with many “over are blinded by the desire to could be projected as the option to stall parliament. The discussion.” arm-chair editors, and you
chor hai”. The Prime Minis- ment starts doing the same, the top allegations”. He ar- oppose and frustrated by position’s Prime Ministerial matter has become sub- It would be naïve for the will find your answers. The
ter responded by adding the entire Opposition would gued that the issue should be repeated failures to get even candidate in 2024. judice and there is a con- Opposition to try to create common refrain would be
chowkidar in his Twitter come on the streets. Also, the examined on facts and logic one issue against the Prime The way Trinamool Con- vention of not discussing an impression that the Prime what the Opposition leaders
handle which was emulated French government is the and urged parliamentarians Minister that would find gress (TMC) MPs have be- such matters on the floor of Minister and the government want to hide?
by crores of his followers. victim in the report whereas to read the report in full. traction with people. haved shows their scant re- Parliament. The game plan are different. The Prime Min-
The Pegasus snooping is- in India, the Opposition has “The basis of the report is It is the same frustration gard for democratic norms. of the Opposition was clear ister speaks through his min- The writer is the convener of
sue is another fiction. There made the Indian government that there is a consortium that was witnessed when The state is known for po- when Rahul Gandhi said af- isters. And if the government the Media Relations Depart-
is no guarantee that it is not a the accused. The Indian gov- which has got access to a the Congress failed to pre- litical violence. An exten- ter a meeting of Opposition considers the issue frivolous ment of the BJP and represents
part of another toolkit. Only ernment has denied illegal leaked database of 50,000 vent the Citizenship Amend- sion of another version of parties that if we drop the one should not expect that the party as a spokesperson on
an impartial inquiry would snooping and the matter phone numbers. The al- ment Act (CAA), which that was seen in the actions demand for discussion the the Prime Minister should TV debates. He has authored
establish if some Opposition should rest there. legation is that individu- granted citizenship rights to of TMC MPs. TMC Rajya issue would be dead. oblige. the book ‘Narendra Modi: The
leaders were also part of the Some people in France als linked to these phone persecuted minorities from Sabha member Dr Santanu RJD leader and Rajya Sab- On the issue of logjam, the Game Changer’. Views expressed
toolkit so that they could have approached the law numbers were being spied our neighbouring countries, Sen was suspended for the ha member Manoj Jha said government cannot do much are writer’s personal.
PERSPECTIVE
INDO-PACIFIC CHARTER
Quad should shed its pacifist approach

A meeting of the heads of zero emphasis given on the are going to have a real impact the US mainland? into a meaningful “strategic alli- to a region that is bedeviled by tary alliance, while simultane-
state and government of the military-security aspect of the on the lives of the people and do In March, at the Quad lead- ance”, with deep military roots, the spectre of an aggressive PRC. ously holding naval exercises
four countries comprising the Quad, specifically on the signing in a way that ensures a free and ers’ first summit, the statement the Quad may not be going any- Without a military alliance how of the Quad members sends
Quad—the Quadrilateral in- of an Indo-Pacific charter. Dur- open Indo-Pacific”. Noble senti- on the “spirit of the Quad” put where. At a time when the Nato can the ASEAN feel confident, confusing signals. It’s time to
formal strategic forum—was ing his India visit last month, ments, but when the adversary firm emphasis on economic and is becoming increasingly irrele- given the US’s rather poor track shed all diffidence and pre-
held virtually in March this US Secretary of State Antony is Xi Jinping’s People’s Republic health impacts of Covid-19, cli- vant, with the dissipation of the record of protecting its allies and tence, and catch the dragon by
year. The next meeting may be Blinken made it clear that the of China, can anyone bet on the mate change, cyber space, criti- Soviet/Russian threat, the “se- partners? Remember the 2012 its tail, which is possible only
held towards the end of this Quad was not a military alliance, impossibility of a kinetic conflict cal technologies, counterterror- curity instrument of the transat- Scarborough Shoal incident when a military component is
year, when the leaders of In- but a means “to advance coop- to ensure even minimum peace ism, infrastructure investment, lantic community” should now where the US did not lift a fin- introduced to the Quad. On their
dia, United States, Japan and eration on regional challenges in the Indo-Pacific region? Can humanitarian-assistance, di- be replaced with the “security ger to help Philippines as China own, individual nations will be
Australia are expected to meet while reinforcing international peace be achieved when the saster-relief, affordable vaccine instrument of the Indo-Pacific grabbed the disputed shoal? In hard-pressed to take on the PRC.
in person—giant progress for rules and values that we believe threat of aggression by the Peo- production, apart from a “free community”, where just like Ar- such a scenario, it’s but natural Together, it’s a different story
an informal grouping that was together underpin peace, pros- ple’s Liberation Army continues and open Indo-Pacific”. The In- ticle 5 of the Washington Treaty that the region will “buy/make” altogether, the reason why any
revived in 2017 after its first perity, stability in the region”. to hound Quad members such as do-Pacific construct will always that birthed Nato in 1949, “an peace with the neighbourhood mention of Quad makes Beijing
edition collapsed in 2007. How- It is about “four like-minded India and Japan, as well as the have different aspects to it, but attack against one Ally is (to be thug, and thus a thriving eco- apoplectic. It’s time to realise the
ever, on closer scrutiny, the gi- countries coming together to so-called Quad Plus countries? at the core of it, it’s about con- considered as) an attack against nomic union will be handed to full potential of the Quad.
ant progress may not appear so work on some of the most im- Also, how long before the PRC taining the PRC. And without all”. Such an Indo-Pacific char- Beijing on a platter.
gigantic, considering the near portant issues of the time that starts posing a military threat to the formalization of the Quad ter will bring instant confidence Also not talking about a mili- Joyeeta Basu
6 legally speaking the daily guardian
tue s day | 10 augus t 2021
new delhi
IPR ENfORCEmENT
Outlook of dazzling fashion industry

vis-à-vis Intellectual Property Rights
and challenges faced in India as a safeguard and defends modern pertinence. While FAKES way, being the most valuable DIFFICULTIES social meaning of specific
the privileges of such people copyright doesn’t ensure For Ashlee Froese, accom- strategy to ensure a style ar- CONFRONTED networks. In the style busi-
by presenting upon them the the actual usefulness of the plice at Gilbert’s LLP “Du- chitect in the wake of always The essential test that is con- ness, the patterns, revelations,
option to partake in their cre- materials in essence, however plicating is taking the best rising volumes of imitations fronted is the test of security. and re-disclosures are con-
ation for a recommended it can secure the print design resource a creator has and and fakes, nonetheless, still The making of design needs ceivable because of its inborn
analysis timeframe and along these
lines, the job of protected in-
plan in case it is novel. Brand
name ensures the logo of the
that is imagination. That is
their fundamental resource,
utilized sparingly when con-
trasted with other accessible
security. Each style outlet rec-
ognizes it from different labor
nature of quickly developing.
It’s likewise because of the
novation rights in the econo- organization yet not the en- their principle item.” Fakes securities. and products through the total endeavours of plans,
TRIPTI BHUSHAN my is incalculable. tire material. Because of such are items which are sold for imprint which is likewise de- design houses, superstars
The style business is an convergence of IP in the style the sake of the brand and are SECURITY UNDER THE pendent upon security. This and so forth This authoriza-
arising area on the planet business, it becomes basic to so misleadingly comparable COPYRIGHT ACT, 1957 assurance should not just tion must be interpreted in a
with a market capitalization comprehend the difficulties that it can’t be recognized Copyright vests in unique, mean securing the architect viable way which regardless
plicating unique design plans of in excess of 500 Billion looked by IP in this area. from the first product. abstract, sensational, me- and the style house yet addi- should not restrict the inno-
and sufficient accessibility of Dollars around the world. The Gucci and Everlasting- lodic, and imaginative tionally the topic. A portion of vativeness in the business
modern programming in- For this area, the key factor THEFT AND STYLE ly 21 case is quite possibly the works, and when such a the issues like how much the which shapes the foundation
novation has made this act is the advancement and the PLAN latest instances of falsifying, thought is changed over models might be viewed as of the equivalent.
of replicating extremely novel thought that continue Robbery might be charac- wherein Gucci had recorded into an idea, it becomes an entertainer and might be
simple. Style configuration, coming each day. It is these terized as the unapproved an instance of brand name copyrightable. Another way vested with the entertainer’s CONCLUDING NOTE
being considered as the pro- advancements that keep this and illicit generation or ap- encroachment for duplicat- for security of plans is the right remaining parts easy to The Indian style plan indus-
duction of one’s scholarly area watchful about their propriation of materials se- ing their “stripes” plan in Copyright Act, 1957 which refute. The new instance of try is confronting issues of
development and unique privileges, particularly their cured by copyright, patent, their garments. accommodates the insur- Star Athletica LLC in the US theft and based on research
imagination, has height- IP rights. The creation and or brand name law which is For another situation, that ance of plans that are either which fixates itself on the done, one might say that the
ened concern and request promoting of the items take equipped for gobbling up the is Castrol India Restrict- enrolled or are equipped copyrightability of plan on protected innovation frame-
T
he Fashion business opportune the Intellectual its plan of action through IP entire business gradually and ed & Ors. v. Iqbal Singh for being enlisted under the the team promoter uniform work in India isn’t satisfac-
in India is develop- Property Rights (IPRs) Pro- insurance. Yet frequently the consistently. Chawla&Ors., it was seen Plans Act, 2000. Notwith- shows the significance and tory and capable enough to
ing step by step and tection of style plan. Against insurance is by all accounts to Imitations: by the Delhi High Court standing, as we look cau- profundity of IP in the style guarantee the Indian style
it has encountered critical this background, the current no end because of less pow- Knockoffs are proposed to that the plan, shading plan, tiously, it is plainly notice- business. plan industry.
extension somewhat re- paper makes an unobtrusive erful balanced governance. recreate the first plan almost style, and bundling of the able that the Copyright and Another part that surfaces There is a need to do ex-
cently predominantly deter- endeavor to investigate the The more modest and nearby line for line however with compartment was mislead- the Plans Act cross-over one as a test is requirement. The plicit changes in the current
mined by the development of present IPRs system secur- area is more disregarded in another originator’s name ingly like that of Castrol and another subsequently mak- approaching of quick style licensed innovation frame-
homegrown creators, some of ing style plans in India in an securing their scholarly re- connected. abstained the litigants from ing a contention between depicts the dress plans that work in India to make it
whom have acquired global efficient way. sources; in this way we see In a style concentrated na- utilizing the imprint “Dy- the two. move rapidly from the cat- more ideal to protect style
acknowledgment lately. The Directly from the paths encroached and pilfered ma- tion like India, an exemplary namic”. Assurance under Intellec- walk to the stores to meet re- plan from robbery. Above
development of the Indian of Delhi’s Sarojini Nagar, to terials on the lookout, befud- illustration of knockoffs is tual property law is allowed cent fads. In such a situation, all, a particular meaning of
style industry is featured by the very good quality design dling the customers. that of the scandalous Saro- THE DESIGN to a plan just when it falls powerful authorization has “style configuration” ought to
the increment in the quantity brands like Manish Malhotra The IP law faces many dif- jini Nagar Market wherein BUSINESS AND inside the importance of gotten tricky. The proprietor be remembered for the Plans
of enormous design occa- and Sabyasachi, individuals ficulties in this area concern- at pretty much every shop, PROTECTED “imaginative works” which of brand name has an unmis- Act, 2000. What’s more, this
sions (from 1 out of 2004 to of the nation have dynamic ing the insurance offered and such items are sold at a rate INNOVATION SYSTEM alludes to a composition, a takable thought of how far definition should help the en-
5 of every 2013). The business preferences and endless in- its compelling authorization. that couldn’t measure up to IN INDIA figure, a drawing (counting the assurance of the sign can tire appearance and generally
individuals, especially style terests! IP law ensures materials that of the fashioner. Further, Insight of Protection under a graph, guide, diagram, or go even in an alternate ward. speaking look of a particular
creator, have been found India, which is viewed as through copyright, brand in a world that is so techno- the Designs Act, 2000 plan), an etching, or a photo, The test of imagination can’t piece of clothing or piece of
grumbling about their de- the centre point of style, is name, and even somewhat accommodating, various Modern plan is the fancy or regardless of whether any be denied when it goes under clothing as against the cur-
velopments being imitated fixed at around US$ 120 licenses, if the candidate can stores with replicable plans stylish part of an article and such work has a creative the domain of implementa- rent definition under Seg-
and duplicated. Style indus- billion, and to shield this demonstrate that the devel- and at expendable costs, are is viewed as quite possibly quality, a [work of architec- tion. An IP system viably en- ment 2 (d) of the Demonstra-
try has long being known for industry from the issue of opment is novel and non- accessible at simply a “single the main angles for the de- ture] and some other work of sures the holder of existing tion which gets all aspects of
its inescapable nature of du- “taking”, the law goes about self-evident and comprises tick” of the customer. velopment of an item. In this imaginative craftsmanship. rights and furthermore the a piece of clothing exclusively.
IN COURT
Rajasthan High Court notifies video conferencing rules for courts

or entity. accused, frame charges in 12. General Procedure
(vii) The person defined a criminal trial under the 12.1 The procedure set out
in Rule 2(xii) shall provide CrPC by video conferenc- hereafter in this chapter is
identity proof as recognised ing. However, the rules fur- without prejudice to the pro-
analysis by the Government of India/
State Government/Union
ther provide that ordinarily
judicial remand in the first
cedure indicated elsewhere
in these Rules qua specific
Territory to the Court point instance or police remand instances in which proceed-
SANJEEV SIROHI coordinator via personal shall not be granted through ings are conducted via video
email. In case of identity video conferencing save and conferencing.
proof not being readily avail- except in exceptional cir- 12.2 The Coordinator at the
able the person concerned cumstances for reasons to Court Point shall ensure
shall furnish the follow- be recorded in writing. that video conferencing is
In a positive, significant, plicable to a physical Court ing personal details: name, The Court may, the rules conducted only through a
much needed and worth shall apply to these virtual parentage and permanent provide, in exceptional cir- Designated Video Confer-
emulating decision by all the proceedings. The protocol address, as also, temporary cumstances, for reasons encing Software.
High Courts in our country, provided in Schedule I shall address if any. to be recorded in writing, However, in the event of
the Rajasthan High Court be adhered to for proceed- examine a witness or an a technical glitch during a
has very rightly, remarkably ings conducted by way of EXAMINATION OF accused under Section 164 given proceeding, the con-
and recently in its notifica- video conferencing. PERSONS of the CrPC or record the cerned Court may for rea-
tion dated August 2, 2021 in (iii) All relevant statutory The rules provide that statement of the accused reason, a person uncon- in that behalf by the High from malware. sons to be recorded permit
pursuance to rule 1(i) of Ra- provisions applicable to ju- where the persons, who under Section 313 CrPC nected with the case is pres- Court. The decision of the 8. Remote Users and the the use of software other
jasthan High Court Rules dicial proceedings including are being examined, or the through video conferenc- ent at the Remote Point, that Presiding Judge or officer as Coordinator at the Remote than the Designated Video
for Video Conferencing for provisions of the CPC, CrPC, accused to be tried, is in ing while observing all due person shall be identified by to the dress code will be final. Point shall ensure that the Conferencing Software for
Courts 2020 has notified the Contempt of Courts Act, custody, the statement, or, precautions to ensure that the Coordinator at the Re- 3. Proceedings shall be con- Remote Point is situated in video conferencing in that
“Rajasthan High Court Rules 1971, Indian Evidence Act, as the case may be, the tes- the witness or the accused mote Point at the start of the ducted at the appointed date a quiet location, is properly particular proceeding.
for Video Conferencing for 1872 (abbreviated hereafter timony, may be recorded as the case may be is free of proceedings and the pur- and time. Punctuality shall secured and has sufficient 12.3 The identity of the per-
Courts 2020” which shall be as the Evidence Act), and through video conferencing any form of coercion, threat pose of the presence of that be scrupulously observed. internet coverage. Any son to be examined shall
applicable to the proceeding Information Technology Act, and the Court shall provide or undue influence. The person shall be conveyed 4. The case will be called out unwarranted disturbance be confirmed by the Court
of the High Court of Judica- 2000 (abbreviated hereafter adequate opportunity to the Court shall ensure compli- to the Court. Such a person and appearances shall be caused during video confer- with the assistance of the
ture for Rajasthan and all as the IT Act), shall apply to under-trial prisoner to con- ance with Section 26 of the shall continue to remain recorded on the direction of encing may if the Presiding Coordinator at the Remote
the Subordinate Courts of proceedings conducted by sult in privacy with their Evidence Act. present only if ordered so the Court. Judge so directs render the Point as per Rule 8.1, at the
the Rajasthan with immedi- video conferencing. counsel before, during and Allowing persons who by the Court. 5. Every participant shall proceedings non-est. time of recording of the evi-
ate effect. (iv) Subject to maintaining after the video conferencing. are not parties to the case to Requirements For Virtual adhere to the courtesies and 9. All participants cell dence and the same must be
It would be in the fitness independence, impartiality The Court would be at lib- view the proceedings Court Hearings As Men- protocol that are followed in phones shall remain reflected in the order sheet of
of things to first and fore- and credibility of judicial erty to record the demeanor In order to observe the re- tioned In Schedule I a physical Court. Judges will switched off or in aeroplane the Court.
most mention the general proceedings, and subject to of the person being exam- quirement of an open Court 1. All participants shall wear be addressed as “Madam/ mode during the proceed- 12.4 In civil cases, parties
principles governing video such directions as the High ined. proceeding, the rules allow sober attire consistent with Sir” or “Your Honour”. Of- ings. requesting for recording
conferencing as enunciated Court may issue, Courts may An audio-visual recording the members of the public the dignity of the proceed- ficers will be addressed by 10. All participants should statements of the person to
in Chapter II. It runs as fol- adopt such technological ad- of the examination of the to view Court hearings con- ings. Advocates shall be ap- their designation such as endeavour to look into the be examined by video con-
lows: “3. General Principles vances as may become avail- person examined shall be ducted through video con- propriately dressed in pro- “Bench Officer/Court Mas- camera, remain attentive ferencing shall confirm to
Governing Video Confer- able from time to time. preserved. An encrypted ferencing, except proceed- fessional attire prescribed ter”. Advocates will be ad- and not engage in any other the Court, the location of the
encing (v) The Rules as applica- master copy with hash value ings ordered for reasons under the Advocates Act, dressed as “Learned Coun- activity during the course of person, the willingness of
(i) Video conferencing facili- ble to a Court shall mutatis shall be retained as a part of recorded in writing to be 1961. sel/Senior Counsel”. the proceedings. such person to be examined
ties may be used at all stages mutandis apply to a Com- the record. conducted in-camera. 2. Police officials shall ap- 6. Advocates, Required Per- It is time now to dwell through video conferencing
of judicial proceedings con- missioner appointed by the Judicial remand, framing The rules also stated that pear in the uniform pre- sons, parties in person and upon the general procedure and the availability of tech-
ducted by the Court. Court to record evidence of charge, examination of ac- the Court shall endeavour scribed for police officials other participants shall keep as enunciated in Chapter IV. nical facilities for video con-
(ii) All proceedings con- and to an inquiry officer cused and Proceedings un- to make available sufficient under the relevant statute their microphones muted This will help a lot in under- ferencing at the agreed-upon
ducted by a Court via video conducting an inquiry. der Section 164 of the CrPC links (consistent with avail- or orders. The attire for ju- till they are called upon to standing how the procedure time and place.
conferencing shall be judi- (vi) There shall be no un- As per the rules, the Court able bandwidth) for access- dicial officers and court staff make submissions. is conducted in video con-
cial proceedings and all the authorised recording of the may, at its discretion, au- ing the proceedings. will be as specified in the 7. Remote Users shall ensure ference proceedings. It runs Please read concluding on the-
courtesies and protocols ap- proceedings by any person thorize the detention of an However, where, for any relevant rules prescribed that their devices are free as follows: - dailyguardian.com
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8 policy & politics the daily guardian
tue s day | 10 augus t 2021
new delhi
Olympics
A salute to strength, hope

and spirit of victory
Athletes who came from humble backgrounds have brought laurels
to the country, untold hardships notwithstanding.
medal, Chanu has felici- not like to repeat the old
tated truck drivers. I was things as to what happened
watching a film on Saina to Anjali Bhagwat? When
Nehwal. Saina was born in she was going for the World
opinion a small village in Haryana
but just see the spirit of her
Championships, questions
were being asked like ‘what
mother Usha Nehwal who will you do by going there?’
VIJAY DARDA despite being seven months She was tense till the last
pregnant, went to play in moment; whether she
the local competition. Saina would get the licence for the
was in her tummy. Saina pistol or not or whether she
lute to those who could not was born. We also saw how would be allowed to partici-
win! A salute to the spirit she was humiliated. Saina pate in the championships.
of the game! A salute to the was taken by her mother Instead of encouraging her,
tricolour. O motherland, I to Lal Bahadur Shastri people reduced her to tears.
salute you! Academy in Hyderabad by Such stories are galore all
The festival of Raksha- bus. Mother gave the racket over the country.
bandhan is round the cor- and told Saina that she has This is just pathetic! The
ner and crores and crores of to win the world. And the situation must be changed!
Indians have put forward world saw the champion The basic attitude of the
their wrists. Neither caste Saina. Similar is the story Sports Authority of In-
or region nor religion is be- of Sindhu. How many tales dia should change! There
ing seen. None is looking at should I tell you? should be a dedicated min-
the brand. They are seeing We have to understand ister who should look after
only one thing, tricolour, that any country is rec- mentoring the sports per-
C
r o r e s o f In d i a n s and listening to the tune of ognised by its players, by sons only. He should not
were thrilled when ‘Jana Gana Mana’. This is its brave soldiers, by sci- have any other work and he
the tune of ‘Jana Hindustan. This is my In- ence and technology. It should have direct contact
Gana Mana’ was playing in dia. There was a time when is not recognised by how with the Prime Minister.
the Tokyo Olympics stadi- we were known only for many millionaires or tril- If we can bring tribal chil-
um and its echo was being hockey in Olympics games lionaires the country has. If we compare ourselves with China and Japan, of course we will be disappointed. dren into the mainstream
heard all over the world. but times have changed The country is definitely of the game, we will have no
The reason for this pride and we are representing recognised by the contribu- But we are a hopeful country. We have the spirit and above all, we have immense dearth of players but they
was Neeraj Chopra who the country in almost all tions of those trillionaires. potential. All that is needed is a decisive and concrete strategy to ensure a will have to be protected
made Mother India proud sports. I consider this as Yes, I believe that industry from the glamour of cricket.
by his spectacular achieve- a good sign for the future. plays a pivotal role in giv- proper environment for the growth of our athletes. If we can do this, our players I am not against cricket but
ment, winning gold medal But we have to understand ing jobs and it can play an don’t want other sports to
in javelin throw. The vi- that many things are nec- important role in nurturing
can also prove their mettle and show their magic to the whole world. be sacrificed for one game.
brant young India erupted essary for victory. All the and developing the sports. And yes, in the Olympics
in joy and celebration, hail- athletes of Indian contin- The government will have if I compare India with Chi-
ing the champion amidst gent who participated in to take them along. The na or Japan, I will be disap-
gaiety and gusto, as if Neer- this Olympics are people government should have pointed. We are hopeful.
aj Chopra had returned from humble backgrounds. its own vision. Most of the of medals, so why can’t we? which sport, their training, cricket. It is a different mat- We lagged behind. But now We have the capability. All
after winning a world war! They neither had anything medals that have been won But the government has to their diet, quality content ter that cricket is the game we should not waste time that we need is improve-
It felt as if every Indian’s to eat nor to drink, nor to till date have been won for play a vital role in achiev- of the game and mental of a handful of countries. It in the field of sports under ment in the sports ecosys-
heart was singing ‘Neeraj cover, nor to wear. But they top performance in hockey. ing this transformation and strength of the highest level has no place in recognised any circumstances. tem; we too can show our
Chopra tujhe salaam, PV had passion. They had an That is now history and this is what I said in Parlia- will have to be ensured. For sports. There was a time I am very happy that magic to the world.
Sindhu tujhe salaam, Mira- intense desire to do some- I do not want to repeat it; ment in 2004. The govern- this, the industry will have when we could even be- Prime Minister Narendra The tune of ‘Jana Gana
bai tujhe salaam, Punia tu- thing that took them to the what transpired between ment will have to formulate to be involved. If we inte- come masters in the hard- Modi himself has boosted Mana’ should continue
jhe salaam.’ A salute to you Olympics. Mirabai Chanu ‘Magician’ Major Dhyan a comprehensive policy grate all these elements un- ware of IT. At that time, I the morale of the players. to resonate with the gold
all our daughters! A salute did not have money to Chand and Hitler or other and strictly implement it. der one roof, we can domi- had warned in the Parlia- He is very passionate about medal..!
to hockey, and a salute to travel 25 km daily from her stories like that..! It should start with seven nate the sports arena the ment that time should not sports. But when I think of
hockey players! How many village to Imphal. She used Our history in the Olym- year olds. The government way we have become the be lost, but we missed the what has been the contri- The author is the chairman,
players’ names should I to reach the academy rid- pics is 121 years old. There should take their respon- uncrowned king in the field bus. Today small countries bution of our progressive Editorial Board of Lokmat
mention... A big salute to ing on sand-laden trucks. are several small countries sibility. The identification of IT software in the world. like Taiwan hold hundreds state of Maharashtra, my Media and former member of
each and every player. A sa- After winning the Olympic which have won bags full of which child is worthy of We have shown this in of patents for IT hardware. head bows down. I would Rajya Sabha.
sOciETy & TRADiTiON
Making it happen: Convergence transforms Melghat

Every year, many people migrate out from Melghat for livelihood. The migration begins post-Diwali in October. People start returning in
March for their favourite Holi festival, sometimes going back for two months only to return in June to sow their fields for Kharif crops.
destination is as much their years. Apart from generating lack of technical expertise for MREGS estimates and these local ecosystems have more adaptable and flexible.
home as Melghat. But ‘the employment, it was equally or collaboration, in many of regular follow-ups through a lot to teach us. Holding of additional
destination’ is not able to vital to improve asset qual- these villages, CFR lands lie the SDO office. Encouraged by the prog- charge of Project Officer,
provide the protective net ity and take up those works unused for years. It was a result of this regu- ress in this project, an at- ITDP enabled Dr. Mittali
opinion that their home village does.
In Maharashtra, tribal areas
that helped build sustainable
structures or systems for the
The idea was to converge
these two problems and
lar follow up and monitor-
ing that Sosokheda - one of
tempt was made to establish
convergence elsewhere. In-
Sethi, to converge MREGS
with a few Tribal depart-
get special schemes from the village. set up a system where both the pilot villages - witnessed frastructural gap analysis ment schemes too. A part of
ANIL SWARUP government - extra nutrition, The challenges, to begin could complement each oth- reverse migration this year. was done. The idea was to the scheme, therefore, was
special funds for infrastruc- with, were not only the er and possibly, set up a vir- People who used to leave plug such gaps. An excel- funded through MREGS
ture and much more. Was it geography and inaccessi- tuous cycle. The contention every year came back after lent example was presented and partly through ITDP
possible to provide the same bility but the multitude of was that MREGS work pro- getting calls from villag- when Chikhaldara BDO (in other cases, other sources
cultural dissimilarity, the ad- benefits to people who mi- stakeholders, agencies and vided in CFR areas would re- ers about the availability of converged the need to build of funds - District Planning
ministration often finds dif- grated? departments that were to sult not only in employment work. (Sosokheda village, a school’s compound wall, funds, MLA funds to name
ficulties in service delivery of This year, with the Covid-19 be brought together even to generation but also participa- which generates around nursery garden, and school a few – were also used). The
government schemes. pandemic looming large, start planning. For example, tory action, more sustainable 600 person-days yearly classrooms with MREGS es- central point of this exercise
Every year, many people the single most important many villages in Melghat are planning in years to come, on average, provided more timates. Similarly, in Dharni, was to plan with people -
migrate out from Melghat for target was to give people forest villages, and therefore, and quite possibly, a local than 5500 person-days of a village was taken up with both ‘Planning’ and ‘People’
livelihood. The migration be- work in their villages so that do not lend themselves to the healthy climate ecosystem. work this year). In Bod vil- no motorable road since in- are extremely crucial and
gins post-Diwali in October they don’t have to distress- traditional route of planning Thus began the pilot project lage, work opened up for the dependence under MREGS non-negotiable components
end. People start returning migrate. Aided by system by revenue/development de- with the Forest Department first time in five years. How- convergence. The road was of the approach.
in March for their favourite improvements by the state partments. For these, the for- and Samaaj Pragati Sahyog ever, the most important out- funded by MREGS and the Dr. Mittali Sethi and her
Holi festival, sometimes go- MREGS department, able est department needs to be (SPS) - an NGO that assisted come was participation in state scheme combined. This committed team demonstrat-
ing back for two months only and inspiring leadership of intricately involved. On the technically all through the action. Rangubeli - another strategy provides multiple ed that by taking all the stake
to return in June to sow their District Collector Shelesh other hand, the Scheduled program and continues to do pilot village - came together benefits. Many high cost holders into confidence and
Nestled in the picturesque fields for Kharif crops. Nawal, excellent field inputs Tribes And Other Tradi- so. A beginning was made in to do shramdaan (voluntary (with high labour cost) proj- through convergence even
Satpura hills, Melghat epit- When Dr. Mittali Sethi, from committed set of BDOs tional Forest Dwellers (Rec- eight villages with the train- labour) for repairing their ac- ects that await funding lend very complex issues can be
omizes beauty. Chikhaldara a young and dynamic IAS and Tehsildars, the Melghat ognition Of Forest Rights) ing of stakeholders involving cess road. In Sosokheda, the themselves well to MREGS resolved and benefits of de-
and Dharni - two blocks of officer took over as Project team led by Dr. Mittali Sethi Act, 2006 - simply called Forest Rights Committees of village decided to create large convergence as the scheme velopment projects delivered
the Melghat subdivision of Officer of Integrated Tribal was able to generate the Forest Rights Act (FRA) - these villages by Range For- scale leaf pits to stop for- can pay labour costs. More more effectively.
Amravati district in Maha- Development Project (ITDP), highest employment in the provides many villages with est Officers (RFO). SPS also est fires, and planted 5000 importantly, however, peo-
rashtra - with predominant she made an attempt to un- state for the year 2020-21. a Community Forest Right took people for exposure vis- trees in their CFR land - the ple build their assets them- Anil Swarup has served as the
forest cover, host an almost derstand the issues that be- Both blocks together pro- (CFR). CFR land generally its to other districts/states so maintenance of which will selves bypassing contracts head of the Project Monitoring
untouched core tiger reserve, set this region with a view vided more than 61 lakh comprises a forest compart- that they could see the best not only give livelihood to its and therefore have a stake Group, which is currently under
and are home to Korku tribal to addressing them. The key person-days employment ment or a part of it that is models in similar geogra- people but also flourish the in the quality of work. The the Prime Minister’s Offic. He
population. However, on issue for consideration was in the year. This was around managed by the village itself phies. There were extensive pristine jungle around them. state MREGS department has also served as Secretary,
account of restrictive infra- that when someone migrates 9% of the State. and the high- through a CFR Management Participatory Rural Apprais- In a world predominantly has been introducing addi- Ministry of Coal and Secretary,
structure development and for nearly six months, the est in at least the past five Committee (CFRMC). For al (PRA) exercises, targets set affected by climate change, tions to the scheme to make it Ministry of School Education.
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C decision to withdraw
from Afghanistan, the
Taliban has accelerated its
violent sweep across the country,
grabbing large swathes of territo-
ry to establish itself as the sole
HUURUGRHVQRWQHFHVVDULO\PHDQWKHFRPELQDWLRQLVHIIHFWLYH7KHHPSKDVLVWLOODIRU stakeholder to govern Afghanistan.
PLGDEOHUHVXOWLVRXWKDVWREHRQWKHIDVWSDFHG In this rapidly changing geopolit-
YDFFLQDWLRQRIWKHSRSXODWLRQ$VRIGDWHWZRGRVHV ical scenario of Taliban ascendan-
RIWKHVDPHYDFFLQHZKHWKHU&RYLVKLHOGRU&RYD[LQ cy, the clamour for India to initi-
ate talks with the Taliban is grow-
DUHIRXQGHIIHFWLYHWRPLQLPLVHWKHFKDQFHVRIKRV ing louder.
SLWDOLVDWLRQDQGGHDWKLQWKHFDVHRIDQLQIHFWLRQ+RZ So, how does India position
PXFKPRUHFDQDFRPELQDWLRQGRVHPLQLPLVHWKH itself to address its security con-
LQIHFWLRQLV\HWWREHVFLHQWLILFDOO\NQRZQ$TXHV cerns vis-a-vis terrorism spilling
over from Afghanistan into
WLRQRIELJJHUFRQFHUQIRUWKHVFLHQWLILFFRPPXQLW\ Kashmir and protect its investment
VKRXOGSHUKDSVEHZKHWKHUWKHHIIHFWLYHQHVVRIWKH there? Should India shed its past
GRXEOHGRVHRIDYDFFLQHUHGXFHVRYHUDSHULRGRI inhibitions, compromise on its
principles and invoke pragmatism
WLPHDQGLIVRKRZWRERRVWWKHLPPXQLW\OHYHOV to initiate talks with the Taliban?
'RHVDSHUVRQZKRWRRNWKHMDEVLQ-DQXDU\RU And what are the chances of the
)HEUXDU\HQMR\WKHVDPHOHYHORISURWHFWLRQWRGD\DVVL[PRQWKVDJR"7KHVXSSOH talks succeeding?
PHQWDU\TXHVWLRQVKRXOGWKHQEHZKHWKHUDYDFFLQH·VUHGXFHGHIIHFWLYHQHVVRYHU To begin with, India has had
a strained relationship with the
WLPHFDQKDQGOHDVWURQJHUYDULDWLRQRIWKH&RURQDYLUXV",IQRWGRHVWKHIXOO\YDF Taliban. The last time it was in tains a stranglehold over the fy: “The statement published in takeover by the Taliban may
FLQDWHGSHUVRQUHTXLUHDERRVWHUVKRWWRPDLQWDLQWKHRULJLQDOHIIHFWLYHOHYHOVDQGDW power (1996-2001), there was a Taliban, acting as its puppeteer. the media about the Taliban not be a given. On July 21 and
ZKDWSRLQWRIWLPHFDQDGHFLVLRQRQDERRVWHUGRVHEHPDGH"7KH&29,'WDVN sharp increase in Afghan Jihadi Reading between the lines, one joining Jihad in Kashmir is 22, alarmed by the Taliban’s
IRUFHRIWKH8QLRQ+HDOWK0LQLVWU\ZRXOGREYLRXVO\EHWKLQNLQJDORQJWKHVHOLQHVDQG elements infiltrating into Kashmir. can also speculate that the wrong…. The policy of the rapid gains, the US launched
And in 1999, it was in the forefront
VLQFHWKHUHLVDVHJPHQWRISRSXODWLRQWKDWKDVWDNHQERWKMDEVVL[PRQWKVDJRWKHUH of providing sanctuary and safe
Doha Accord, though primar- Islamic Emirate is clear that it multiple airstrikes in and
ily between the Taliban and the does not interfere in the inter- around Kandahar to stall the
VKRXOGEHDSURFHVVRIGHWHUPLQLQJWKHLUHIIHFWLYHQHVVOHYHOVDQG]HURLQRQERRVW passage to the hijackers of IC-814 US to prevent a recurrence of nal affairs of other countries.” Taliban’s advance. And there
HURSWLRQV6WXGLHVDEURDGDUHVXJJHVWLQJWKDWDQWLERG\OHYHOVWULJJHUHGE\PRVW&29,' at Kandahar who had successful- terrorism, is an outcome of This conciliatory tone may are indications that there may
YDFFLQHVDUHGURSSLQJ+RZHYHUWKH\GRQRW\HWNQRZLIWKHGURSSLQJOHYHOVPHDQ ly negotiated the release of Masood crafty Pakistan have been a ploy to temper be more airstrikes.
Azhar, the leader of Jaish-e- Machiavellianism. The Taliban’s India’s military support for the So, short of putting boots
OHVVHUSURWHFWLRQDJDLQVWWKHYLUXV7KHUHLVDGYDQFHGUHVHDUFKEHLQJXQGHUWDNHQDFURVV Mohammed; it was a humiliating acquiescence at the insistence of Afghan Government till the on the ground, India must con-
WKHZRUOGWRGHWHUPLQHWKHSUHFLVHOHYHORIDQWLERGLHVRUDQLPPXQLW\PDUNHUDWZKLFK experience that India must not for- Pakistan underlines a bigger Taliban attained its objective. tinue to support the Afghan
DYDFFLQH·VHIIHFWLYHQHVVFDQEHVDLGWREHZDQLQJ,QVFLHQWLILFSDUODQFHLWLVNQRZQ get or forgive. Pakistani game plan: Pakistan Today, Suhail Shaheen is singing National Security Forces as it
DVWKHFRUUHODWLRQRISURWHFWLRQDQGZKHQWKHWKUHVKROGLVUHDFKHGLWZLOOLQGLFDWH Additionally, Kashmiri terror- aims to shift its anti-India ter- C74C0;810=³B a different tune. Recently, he has done so far by training
WKDWDERRVWHUGRVHPD\EHUHTXLUHG,VUDHO·V0LQLVWU\IRU+HDOWKKDVFODLPHGWKDW
ist groups like the Lashkar-e-Taiba,
Jaish-e-Mohammed and Hizbul
rorist activity into a Taliban-
controlled Afghanistan to cir-
02@D84B24=240C remarked: “India was siding
with the Government installed
army personnel and supplying
essential military equipment.
YDFFLQHSURWHFWLRQDJDLQVWLQIHFWLRQKDVGURSSHGZLWKLQDSHULRGRIVL[WRVHYHQPRQWKV Mujahideen have strong continu- cumvent the FATF sanctions. C748=B8BC4=24 by foreigners. They are not with In addition, it should initiate a
:HKDYHWRZDLWIRUWKH,&05·VVWXGLHV ing bonds with some factions of the
Taliban, who share their anti-
Pakistan has too much at stake
to allow even an iota of rap- >5?0:8BC0= us. If they stick to their policy
of supporting a Government
broader diplomatic initiative
under the aegis of the Shanghai
?82D1<;
India hostility. The Haqqani group,
which is one of the well-trained
prochement between India and D=34A;8=4B0 imposed on Afghans, then Cooperation Organisation
the Taliban. maybe they should be worried. (SCO) and the United Nations
Taliban factions, has targeted sev- To claim that India’s out- 18664A?0:8BC0=8 That is a wrong policy which to stall a violent takeover of
eral Indian consulates in the past
and was responsible for the dead-
reach will embolden the Taliban
to strike an independent path
60<4?;0=) will not serve them.” (Anchal
Vohra: ‘India Is Scrambling to
Afghanistan by the Taliban.
While we can continue to
ly Kabul bombing in 2008 that
killed over 50 people. Given its
bereft of Pakistan’s influence (as ?0:8BC0=08<B Get on the Taliban’s Good Side’; explore these options, in the
committed anti-India sentiments
some commentators assert) is
nothing more than wishful C>B785C8CB Foreign Policy; July 13, 2021.)
Realistically speaking,
ultimate analysis we alone are
responsible for our security
and inseparable ties with Kashmir-
centric terror groups, it is unlike-
thinking. The discordant voic- 0=C88=380 talks with the Taliban are a and cannot be dependent on
es emanating from the Taliban futile venture and unlikely to external permutations and
ly that the Taliban will change its and the continuous flip-flops do C4AA>A02C8E8CH yield any results. But there combinations. In short, a
policy towards India. Even if some
of its factions may negotiate with
not inspire confidence for nego-
tiations. Last year, when Taliban
8=C>0C0;810= can be no harm in India
pursuing this line of thought
robust and advanced military
preparedness along the entire
India, its disjointed hierarchy with
its disparate groups makes it almost
spokesperson Zabihullah 2>=CA>;;43 as a lateral avenue. Against perimeter of our nation is the
impossible for a top-down diktat to
Mujahid said they would “cap-
ture Kashmir from infidels” 05670=8BC0=C> this evil triumvirate of
Pakistan, the Taliban and
only iron-clad permanent
security guarantee.
work.
And then there is the Pakistan
after gaining control of Kabul,
Suhail Shaheen, the spokesper-
28A2D<E4=CC74 Kashmiri terrorist groups,
the civilian-led Ashraf Ghani
(The author, a US-based
academic and political com-
factor. The Taliban is Pakistan’s son for the Islamic Emirate of 50C5B0=2C8>=B Government, however weak, mentator, frequently writes on
Frankenstein, created and sus- Afghanistan, the political wing is still India’s best bet. current affairs in India. The
tained by the ISI. Pakistan main- of Taliban, stepped in to clari- A quick and complete views expressed are personal.)
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Sir — The Tokyo Olympics turned out to
be a defining moment for Indian sports
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QH\WRWKHERUGHUVIURPDVWRQH·VWKURZDZD\IURP they get world-class facilities, adequate CWT_aTeP[T]RTÛQadcP[XchXbPQ[^c^]cWT TeT]cWT_WhbXRP[SXbcP]RX]VTeTah^]TbW^d[S 8baPT[X?aX\T<X]XbcTa
3DUOLDPHQW+RXVHDQGWKDWWRROHVVWKDQDZHHNEHIRUH coaching and financial support from the UâRT³b Ud]RcX^]X]V 4UUâcb \PST b^ UPa c^ \PX]cPX]S^Tb]^cSTcTacWT\Ua^\_WhbXRP[ ¯ =PUcP[X1T]]Tcc
Government. Our Olympic icons have Wd\P]XbTcWT_^[XRTP]S\PZTcWT\_T^_[T R^]cPRcc^_Ta_TcaPcTQadcP[Xch
WKH,QGHSHQGHQFH'D\FHOHEUDWLRQVKDGWKHSROLFHRQ brought laurels to the country. In fact, these UaXT]S[h WPeT ]^c _a^SdRTS cWT STbXaTS BT]bXcXbPcX^]R^\_d[bâhb^RXP[fâZ >CCP]SfTQ
WRHVWRHQVXUHDJDLQVWDQ\XQWRZDUGLQFLGHQW,WPD\ stars have raised the stature of Indian TUUTRc QPbXRZ]^f[TSVTÛcWT[PfPS^_cX^]ÛbRX bTaXTb[XQTaPcTS\T
EHUHFDOOHGWKDWFHUWDLQKRROLJDQHOHPHQWVIURPDPRQJ sporting to greater heights. 5Tf_T^_[T[^^ZPccWT_^[XRTPbUaXT]Sb T]cXUXR\TcW^SbUâRaX\TSTcTRcX^]P]SbcaX] PbP]PRcaTbb;^^Z
WKHPDVVRISURWHVWLQJIDUPHUVKDGUXQDPRNDWWKH Vijay Singh Adhikari | Nainital P]S_a^cTRcâbÛcWTRXcXiT]ah>]T\PX]aTP VT]c _d]XbW\T]c Uâ _^[XRT QadcP[Xch R^d[S PccWTZX]SÛa^[Tb
UDPSDUWVRIWKH5HG)RUWRQ-DQXDU\+XQGUHGVRI b^]UâcWT[^fbcP]SX]VÛcWT_^[XRTXbcWPc X]U[dT]RTcWT_^[XRTc^S^cWTXaY^QWd\P]T 8V^cc^_[Ph¨cWXb
=?>C??>C5CC9?>1G1C8?ED/ cWTha^dcX]T[hbdQYTRccWTPaaTbcTSSTcPX]TS [hP]SQTWPeTaTb_^]bXQ[h eTabPcX[Xch8WPeTV^c
IDUPHUVKDYHPDGH'HOKL·VERUGHUVWKHLUKRPHVLQFH Sir — All is not well with the monsoon c^câcdaTCWT_^[XRT[PQ^dad]STacWT\Xb 63PeXS<X[c^]| :P]hPZd\PaX ^]SXVXcP[_[PcUâ\b
1RYHPEHUZLWKWKHGHPDQGWKDWWKH)DUPHUV· session of Parliament logjam, which con- 0Rcâ
3URGXFH 7UDGH DQG &RPPHUFH 3URPRWLRQ DQG tinues and is likely to end on August 13 ¯BPZbWXCP]fPa
Opposition’s repeated requests to the work without any Government help.
)DFLOLWDWLRQ $FW )DUPHUV· (PSRZHUPHQW DQG 3URWHFWLRQ $JUHHPHQW RQ 3ULFH without conducting any worthwhile busi- Government to respect the norms of par- These tea farmers get only C15-18 per 8cfPbPeTah_a^dS
ness. It’s sheer wastage of public money
$VVXUDQFHDQG)DUP6HUYLFHV$FWDQGWKH(VVHQWLDO&RPPRGLWLHV$PHQGPHQW$FW as the Opposition parties have hardened
liamentary democracy have fallen on deaf kg. The big tea manufacturing companies \^\T]cfWT]
EHUROOHGEDFNDQGDQHZODZPDGHWRJXDUDQWHHWKHPLQLPXPVXSSRUWSULFH years. It seems that the rigid ruling discharge C500-700 per kg for the finished ^da]PcX^]P[P]cWT\
their stand and strongly conveyed to the pensation is bent upon murdering the product. The price the small tea farmers fPb_[PhX]VP]S8
7KHIDFWWKDWDIHZRIWKH6WDWH*RYHUQPHQWVOHQWVXSSRUWWRWKHIDUPHUV·FDXVHQRWZLWK Government that the discussions on the democracy in our country. It now looks get doesn’t even match the cost, let alone fPbbcP]SX]V^]cWT
VWDQGLQJWKH8QLRQ*RYHUQPHQWZKLFKKDVKHOGURXQGVRIIRUPDOGLDORJXHZLWKWKH farmers’ three farm laws and the alleged almost certain that the monsoon session making a profit. The pandemic-induced
Pegasus snooping issues must be allowed _^SXd\fXcWcWTV^[S\TSP[
OHDGHUVRIWKHSURWHVWRUVKDVPDLQWDLQHGWKDWWKHODZVDUHSURIDUPHUDQGZRQ·WEHUHSHDOHG in Parliament, but the Government has
of Parliament will be washed out and the lockdown has hammered these small tea
Centre, in spite of having a clear major- growers and they have incurred losses to
2Q0RQGD\HYHQLQJVD\LQJWKDWWKH\ZRQ·WVHHNDQ\H[WHQVLRQRIWKHGKDUQDSHUPLV refused the demand. ity, is unable to handle the situation. the tune of C500 crore. When will the >[h\_XRV^[S\TSP[[Xbc
VLRQJUDQWHGWRWKHPWKHSURWHVWHUVHQGHGWKHLU¶.LVDQ6DQVDG·LQWKH1HZ'HOKLGLVWULFW It is unfortunate that the Union Bhagwan Thadani | Mumbai farmers, be it of tea, paddy or fruit, get their ¯=TTaPY2W^_aP
DIWHUSDVVLQJD´QRFRQILGHQFHPRWLRQµDJDLQVWWKH1DUHQGUD0RGLOHG8QLRQ*RYHUQPHQW Government has unleashed a misleading due? The small growers are demanding a
campaign to malign the combined FTfX[[TgTaRXbT
DQGVDLGWKDWWKH\ZRXOGSUHVVIRUWKHUHVLJQDWLRQRIWKH0RGL*RYHUQPHQWDWWKH&DSLWDO·V modest C40 per kg for green leaves. I urge
Opposition and to blame it for the con- C=1<<D517B?G5BC>5541DD5>D9?> ^daaXVWcbcWT
the Ministries concerned to cast a kind eye
ERUGHUSRLQWVRI6LQJKX7LNULDQG*KD]LSXUDQGHOVHZKHUHDFURVVWKHFRXQWU\5HLWHUDWLQJ tinued disruption in both the Houses. The Sir — Assam can only boast of being the towards these small tea growers who work <TZTSPcd_a^YTRc
WKLVSRLQWWKHRIILFHEHDUHUVRIWKHMRLQWIDUPHUV·XQLRQVDLGWKDWWKHSURWHVWVZLOOFRQWLQ responsibility for ending the deadlock largest exporter of tea; the cream is tirelessly to help keep afloat Assam’s title fX[[QTbcPacTSPUcTa
rests squarely at the doorstep of the VTccX]V]TRTbbPah
XH´LQIXOOVWHDPµDQGWKDWWKH\KDGUHVSHFWHGDOOWKHFRQGLWLRQVRIWKHSHUPLVVLRQJLYHQ Government, which remains arrogant and
enjoyed by the large tea manufacturing of the “Tea Capital of India”.
_Ta\XbbX^]bUPbcTa
companies. Nearly 49 per cent of the tea
WRWKHPIRUKROGLQJWKHSURWHVWSHDFHIXOO\VLQFH-XO\2IFRXUVHHYHU\GLYHUJHQWRSLQ obdurate, refusing to accept the produced in Assam is from the green
Noopur Baruah | Tezpur
LRQKDVWKHULJKWWREHKHDUGLQDGHPRFUDF\EXWWKHVHSURWHVWRUVPXVWWDNHFDUHWRHQVXUH Opposition’s demand for an informed leaves of small tea growers. Around 1 lakh BT]Shh^daUUTTSQPRZcc^) :Pa]PcPZP2WXTU<X]XbcTa
DJDLQVWLQGXOJLQJLQDQ\VRUWRIDQDUFKLFRUXQUXO\EHKDYLRXUDQ\PRUH debate in both the Houses. The of them are local unemployed youth who [TccTabc^_X^]TTa/V\PX[R^\ ¯1PbPePaPY1^\\PX
=4F34;78kCD4B30H k0D6DBC !!
&
gggTQY\i`Y_ÛUbS_] UPRTQ^^ZR^\SPX[h_X^]TTak /CWT3PX[h?X^]TTak X]bcPVaP\R^\SPX[h_X^]TTa
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ccording to a statement by the
7
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A Minister of State for Finance,
Bhagwat K Karad, in Parliament,
non-performing assets (NPAs) or
bad loans of banks declined from a high
of around C1036,000 crore as on March 31,
0RGDOLWLHVZLOOEHZRUNHGRXWRQKRZWRWDNHWKHSURFHVVIRUZDUG 2018, to C896,000 crore on March 31, 2020,
2IILFLDOVKDGVWDWHGHDUOLHUWKDWDQRWKHUURXQGRI0DMRU*HQHUDOOHYHO and further down to C834,000 crore on
WDONVLVVFKHGXOHGWREHKHOGYHU\VRRQDIWHUWKHWK URXQGRIWDONV March 31, 2021.
7KHEXLOGXSLQ'HSVDQJZDVQRWEHLQJFRQVLGHUHGSDUWRIWKHFXU The choice of March 31, 2018 has spe-
cial significance. Under the UPA, partic-
UHQWVWDQGRIIWKDWVWDUWHGLQ0D\ODVW\HDUDVWKDWHVFDODWLRQWRRNSODFH ularly during its second tenure 2009-2014,
LQ,QGLDKDVLQVLVWHGGXULQJPLOLWDU\FRPPDQGHUPHHWLQJVWR banks recklessly gave loans to corporate
UHVROYHDOOLVVXHVDFURVVWKH/$&7KHLQLWLDODWWHPSWZLOOEHWRUHVROYH houses and businesses without assessing
*RJUDDQG+RW6SULQJV)LQGLQJDVROXWLRQWR'HSVDQJPLJKWEHWULFN\ the viability of the projects and conduct-
DQGWDNHORQJHU,QGLDDQG&KLQDQRZSODQWRHVWDEOLVKDQRSDWUROOLQJ ing due diligence. The ability of the con-
RUEXIIHU]RQHDWRQHRIWKH¶IULFWLRQ·SRLQWVLQWKH*RJUD+RW6SULQJV cerned projects to generate the required
.RQJND/DVHFWRU7KHSKDVHGGLVHQJDJHPHQWZLWKSK\VLFDOYHULILFD cash to service the loans was in doubt from
day one. There was an element of
WLRQDW3DWUROOLQJ3RLQW$LVOLNHO\WRNLFNRIIRYHUWKHQH[WIHZGD\V ‘inevitability’ in such loans becoming
NPAs. Indeed, these did become NPAs but
were not recognized in the balance sheet.
In 2015, at the behest of the Modi-gov-
ernment, Reserve Bank India (RBI)
ordered an asset quality review (AQR) of
all commercial banks to identify stressed
assets and make necessary provisions in the C74A48B
balance sheet. As a result, their gross NPAs tum of recovery but also (ii) more fraud cases involving amounts under CBI scanner.
rose from about C323,000crore as on =>C78=6>=C74 and more skeletons coming out of worth over C100,000 crore. The A loan that turns bad due to a
March 31, 2015 to C1036,000 crore as of 7>A8I>=C> the cupboard. frauds are an outcome of a well- genuine business decision going
March 31, 2018. B7>FC70C Regarding (i), according to orchestrated game plan in which wrong, say, due to adverse eco-
Accordingly, in 2016, the Government C78=6BF8;; IBBI, in 363 major cases, banks bank or FI officials are actively nomic conditions hampering the
enacted the Insolvency and Bankruptcy 270=645>A have taken hair-cut of 80 per cent involved. These are systemic faults. ability of borrower firm generate
Code (IBC). It overrides other subsisting on an average (for some such as At a fundamental level, these have cash, always lends itself to becom-
laws and gives a strong handle to banks for
C7414CC4A50A Videocon, it is even higher at 95 per to do with a sense of fearlessness ing standard as and when condi-
RQFHDQLQSULQFLSOHDJUHHPHQWUHDFKHGGXULQJWKHWK URXQGRIWDONV resolving NPAs with in a strict time 5A><8C0 cent). That apart, the timelines were amongst fraudsters and bank offi- tions improve. In sharp contrast,
LVUDWLILHGE\WKHWZRJRYHUQPHQWV7KHRWKHUIULFWLRQSRLQWLQWKHVHF frame. In 2017, it amended the Banking A424=C rarely honored thanks to the hur- cials that even if they do something a loan that was taken with the sole
WRU33DVZHOODVWKHPXFKPRUHLQWUDFWDEOHLVVXHRIEORFNLQJ,QGLDQ Regulation Act (BRA) giving RBI the pow- 6>E4A=<4=C dles created by competing suitors horribly wrong, they will get away intention of siphoning off funds for
WURRSSDWUROVLQWKH'HSVDQJ%XOJHDQGWKHWHQWVSLWFKHGLQVLGH,QGLDQ ers to force banks to act if they do not on 3428B8>=C>;4C and delinquent promoters by chal- scot-free. personal gains is bound to suffer
WHUULWRU\LQWKH'DPFKRNVHFWRUQHHGWREHIXUWKHUGLVFXVVHGZLWK&KLQD their own. On February 12, 2018,the RBI lenging the NCLT award. During the initial few years of irreversible damage. This needs to
issued a circular that provided a founda-
C74218;>>: Ironically, a revised circular the NDA government, Prime be dealt with an iron hand; sadly,
,WLVUHSRUWHGWKDWERWKVLGHVGLVFXVVHG´VSHFLILFGHWDLOVWRFRROWHP 8=C>>=;HB><4
tional basis for resolving NPAs. issued by the RBI on June 7, 2019 Minister Narendra Modi’s repeat- that is not happening.
SHUVLQWKHUHPDLQLQJIULFWLRQSRLQWVLQFOXGLQJPRYLQJDKHDGZLWKWKH As per this circular, for accounts with ²4GCA0>A38=0AH - under directions from the ed exhortation that he will put an The government is also quick
GLVHQJDJHPHQWSURFHVVDQGDJUHHGWRMRLQWO\PDLQWDLQVWDELOLW\RQWKH aggregate exposure greater than C2,000 20B4B4E4=0B Supreme Court- has seriously end to what he described as ‘phone to provide succor to banks in a
JURXQGµ crore, as soon as there was a default in the <>BC>C74A undermined the IBC process itself. banking’ - a euphemism for giving variety of ways, be it capital infu-
$KRWOLQHZDVHVWDEOLVKHGEHWZHHQ,QGLDQ$UP\LQ.RQJUD/D1RUWK account with any lender, all lenders - singly It gives banks 180 days to come up loans merely based on verbal sion by way of budgetar y
20B4BF8;;14
6LNNLPDQG3/$DW.KDPED']RQJLQ7LEHWDQ$XWRQRPRXV5HJLRQ or jointly - shall initiate steps to cure the with RP (in addition to 30 days to instruction given by top political support,or sale of stressed loans to
default by preparing a resolution plan (RP). 8=E4BC860C431H enter into an inter-lender agree- brass - instilled confidence. It sig- state-owned asset reconstruction
7$5WRIXUWKHUWKHVSLULWRIWUXVWDQGFRUGLDOUHODWLRQV*URXQGFRP
This needed to be done within six months B?4280;8B43 ment or ILA). If they do not, they naled that henceforth, banks will company (ARC). Thus, having
PDQGHUVRIWKHUHVSHFWLYHDUPLHVDWWHQGHGWKHLQDXJXUDWLRQRI3/$
from the date of default failing which pro- 064=284BBD27 are required to make an addition- only sanction loans based on due already pumped C300,000 crore
'D\ RQ $XJXVW DQG D PHVVDJH RI IULHQGVKLS DQG KDUPRQ\ ZDV
H[FKDQJHGWKURXJKWKHKRWOLQH7KHWK URXQGRIPLOLWDU\WDONVWRRN
ceedings would be initiated (albeit under 0BC74B4A8>DB al provision of 20 per cent. If they diligence and assessing the viabil- during the last five years or so, it
IBC) by the National Company Law 5A0D3 donot finalize the plan within 365 ity of the project for which the loan is giving C200,000 crore this time
SODFHRYHUWZRZHHNVDIWHU([WHUQDO$IIDLUV0LQLVWHU6-DLVKDQNDUILUP Tribunal (NCLT).The NCLT would get six days, an additional 15 per cent pro- is taken. However, those expecta- by giving a sovereign guarantee for
O\FRQYH\HGWRKLV&KLQHVHFRXQWHUSDUW:DQJ<LWKDWWKHSURORQJD months to complete the resolution process. 8=E4BC860C8>= vision has to be made. Put simply, tions have been belied. the security receipts (SRs)to be
WLRQRIWKHH[LVWLQJVLWXDWLRQLQHDVWHUQ/DGDNKZDVYLVLEO\LPSDFWLQJ According to Karad, public sector >5582470B under this circular, banks are not There is nothing on the hori- issued by the recently set up ‘bad
WKHELODWHUDOWLHVLQD´QHJDWLYHPDQQHUµ7KHWZRIRUHLJQPLQLVWHUV banks (PSBs) have recovered over C500,000 02C430B0 bound to act in a time-bound zon to show that things will change bank’. This breeds complacency.
KDGKHOGDRQHKRXUELODWHUDOPHHWLQJRQWKHVLGHOLQHVRIDFRQFODYH crore (including private banks, the recov- 5DAC74A manner. for the better. Far from that, a With so many loose ends in
ery would be even higher). Against this, 30<?4=4A As for (ii), the emergence of recent decision of the govern- the subsisting system, it is only nat-
RIWKH6KDQJKDL&RRSHUDWLRQ2UJDQLVDWLRQ6&2LQ7DMLNFDSLWDOFLW\ the decline in NPAs between March 31, fresh NPAs is a bigger worry when ment to let CBI look into only ural that any perceptible decline in
'XVKDQEHRQ-XO\-DLVKDQNDUKDGWROG:DQJWKDWDQ\XQLODWHUDO 2018, and March 31, 2021, is only about we consider the fact that a big slice some ‘extraordinary’ cases such as NPAs will continue to elude us.
FKDQJHLQWKHVWDWXVTXRDORQJWKH/$&ZDV´QRWDFFHSWDEOHµWR,QGLD C200,000 crore. Even this gain will be of this is due to a flurry of frauds IDBI Bank-Kingfisher Airlines Instead, this monster will only
DQGWKDWWKHRYHUDOOWLHVFDQRQO\GHYHORSDIWHUIXOOUHVWRUDWLRQRISHDFH wiped off once the impact of lifting the which have led to four major finan- (even as most other cases will be grow in sizeunless three basic
DQGWUDQTXLOLW\LQHDVWHUQ/DGDNK,QDMRLQWVWDWHPHQWERWKVLGHVVDLG embargo on recognizing bad loans cial institutions, Yes Bank, Punjab investigated by specialized agencies conditions are met — (i) fear
WKHWZRFRXQWULHVKDYHDJUHHGWRH[SHGLWLRXVO\UHVROYHWKHUHPDLQLQJ (imposed last year to give relief from and Maharashtra Cooperative such as the Serious Fraud sinks in that the fraudsters (and
LVVXHVLQDFFRUGDQFHZLWKH[LVWLQJDJUHHPHQWVDQGSURWRFROVDQGWR COVID, this was removed on March 24, (PMC) Bank, Infrastructure Investigation Office) has acted as their co-conspirators in the banks)
2021) is captured. Leasing and Financial Services a further dampener. An argu- will end up paying a heavy price
PDLQWDLQWKHSDFHRIWDONV7KH\DJUHHGWRHQVXUHVWDELOLW\DORQJWKH This shows the emergence of fresh (IL&FC), and Dewan Housing ment that this is necessary to for their wrongful acts; (ii) the effi-
/$&LQWKH:HVWHUQ6HFWRUDVZHOOLWVDLG,QYLHZRIDJJUHVVLYH&KLQHVH NPAs during this period. Pertinently, Finance Corporation Limited protect bank employees whose cacy of IBC mechanism is restored
GHSOR\PHQWLQ7LEHWDQGHDVWHUQ/DGDNK,QGLDKDVFKDQJHGLWVSRV these also include loans given before (DHFL) towards bankruptcy in the “genuine business decisions” could by reinstating RBI’s February 12,
WXUHWRZDUGV&KLQD8QOLNHLWVSUHYLRXVGHIHQVLYHDSSURDFKWKDWSODFHG 2014 but did not come under RBI radar (The writer is a policy last three years. During this period go wrong is untenable. Such 2018 circular, and (iii) the govern-
DSUHPLXPRQIHQGLQJRII&KLQHVHDJJUHVVLRQ,QGLDLVQRZFDWHULQJ earlier during the AQR exercise.The prob- analyst. The views (2018-20), the Central Bureau of employees who do their job hon- ment bail-out is considered as a last
lem is not just with (i) the pace and quan- expressed are personal.) Investigation (CBI) registered bank estly need not fear even if they are resort only.
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ven as Andhra Pradesh under YSR Aarogyasri, cover- under the ambit of YSR arranged with 112 corporate trating on focused testing. A medical assistance.
E Chief Minister Y.S.Jagan

Mohan Reddy is studying
various proposals to improve
ing more than 90 per cent of the
population for free treatment in
all the network hospitals.
Aarogyasri. Sufficient funds
are made available for ‘108’ and
‘104’ emergency medical ser-
hospitals in Hyderabad,
Chennai, and Bangalore to
Aarogyasri services to help the
focused vaccination strategy
has been adopted with priori-
ty being given to those with
From having zero testing
labs in March to having the
maximum number of govern-
health infrastructure in the The Sri Krishna vices that are being extensive- health cardholders. symptoms. With the change in ment-run labs as of date, the
state, COVID-19 has thrown Committee stated that the com- ly used in the fight against In April, the government strategy number of tests done state has come a long way by
up a new challenge prompting bined public expenditure on COVID-19. The government is has approved the appointment in a day crossed 60,000 now. establishing 78 testing labs in
1=1B34ED;0?0;;8
him to immediately initiate a healthcare as a share of the also establishing 16 new med- of 1,170 specialists, 1,170 gen- Similarly, utmost priority is government hospitals and 54
sustained strategy to check the undivided state's domestic ical colleges in the State. eral duty medical officers, 2,000 given to contact tracing, com- labs in private hospitals.
pandemic situation. product declined from 1.29 annual incomes of less than C5 A three-pronged strategy is staff nurses, and 306 anaesthe- munity surveillance, and the Andhra Pradesh set a new
Strictly adhering to the per cent in the 7th Five Year lakh and all cases where med- being implemented to tackle sia technicians. The new sentinel surveillance systems record by administering
guidelines and advice from the Plan to 0.96 per cent in the 8th ical expenses cross C1,000 with- the surge. District collectors recruitments are mainly to being implemented. During COVID-19 vaccine to 13.59
Union government and in close Five Year Plan and had further out any limit on the cost of have been given powers to handle the current surge in the the first wave in 2020, five lakh beneficiaries on June 20 last
coordination with World declined to 0.76 per cent by treatment. take over private hospitals to COVID-19 cases. These rounds of door-to-door survey surpassing its record of giving
Health Organisation (WHO) 2005-06. Thus, there was a con- In view of the severe sec- arrange for beds for COVID-19 recruitments are in addition to were conducted involving 4.26 6.28 lakh jabs in a single day on
teams, Jagan Reddy’s adminis- tinuous decline in budget allo- ond wave of COVID-19 and a patients. As such, the number the appointment of 3,145 med- lakh health care workers assist- April 14. In another mega drive
tration has swiftly swung into cation to health services even possible third wave, an ade- of COVID-19 hospitals in the ical and paramedical staff to fill ed by 14,947 village volunteers on July 27, as many as 11,50,911
action to combat the infection. before bifurcation. quate allocation has been made state has been increased to vacancies and newly sanc- attached to the Village people were vaccinated. Priority
Following the health road Understanding the factual con- to deal with the pandemic, 649 as the government took tioned posts in 2020. Secretariat system. Door-to- has been given to teachers after
map already laid by his late (The writer is Advisor, ditions, Jagan Reddy’s govern- while strengthening medical over some private hospitals. The Andhra Pradesh gov- door surveys are a continuous the government decided to
father,Dr.Y.S.Rajasekhara national media and ment in its first budget and health infrastructure in the These hospitals have 87,845 ernment has changed its strat- process now. Intensive surveys resume schools from August 16.
Reddy, in the united Andhra inter-state affairs announced the expansion of State. Treatment of black fun- beds including 47,169 beds egy of testing COVID-19 are being conducted as and The cumulative number of
to Andhra Pradesh
Pradesh when the latter was government. The views YSR Aarogyasri, a free health gus, which is reported in with ICU facilities. Besides patients. Unlike random testing when fresh cases are reported COVID-19 vaccine doses
Chief Minister, Jagan Reddy has expressed are personal.) insurance scheme for the poor, patients recovering from empanelled network hospitals done in the first wave, the to identify people having symp- administered in the state as of
brought COVID treatment to cover all the households with COVID-19, has been brought in State, a tie-up has been administration is now concen- toms and provide them with August 1 touched 2,18,87,925.
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millenniumpost
NEW DELHI | TUESDAY, 10 AUGUST, 2021 Editorial mp 7
EDITORIAL Regression to authoritarianism?
Tunisia’s nascent tryst with democracy, which shines exemplarily in the North
A pricking decline African region, is at risk of faltering as the President usurps executive power
I T
t is an irony that on one hand, India is busy construct-
ing a lofty edifice for the Parliament and, on the other unisia, the only coun- ment or consolidates control
hand, the very business of the institution is witness- try in the Arab world over the levers of power and
ing a decline. Productivity in the Lok Sabha dur- where full democ- security apparatus.
ing the monsoon session has been as low as 14 per cent racy emerged follow- Several influential civil
(as of August 8) and 22 per cent in Rajya Sabha. The Lok ing the 2011 Arab spring, is society organisations in the
Sabha has functioned merely for 12 hours and the Rajya M SHAKEEL AHMED in the grip of a constitutional country have sought a road-
Sabha for 18.2 hours. But the worst part is that the decline crisis due to a power struggle map with a detailed timeta-
is not just in quantitative terms but qualitative terms as between the President and the ble for the restoration of the
well. Even if productivity ratio and functioning hours were Prime Minister. democratic process. Influen-
high, it would be no guarantee for healthy functioning. The The crisis began on July tial Tunisian NGS have warned
other crucial factors include the quality and quantum of 25 after President Kais Saied, against any illegitimate exten-
time spent in deliberation over particular bills. The present invoking Article 80 of the Con- sion of the suspension of the
state represents a dismal situation where both opposition stitution, dismissed Prime Parliament, emphasising the
and proposition are to be blamed for diluting the power Minister Hichem Mechichi need to respect the 30-day
of people by not allowing the primary institution of our government, froze Parliament deadline mentioned in Article
representative democracy to function properly. The per- for 30 days, lifted the immu- 80 of the Constitution.
minute disruption in the Parliament costs heavily on the nity of Parliament members Democracies worldwide
pockets of common citizens — in the present time, they and made himself prosecutor should step in resolving the
are already devastated by the pandemic. The estimated cost general, leading to confronta- crisis by urging and pressur-
of per-minute disruption in the Parliament was Rs 29,000 tions between his supporters ing Saied to return Tunisia
in the year 2008, which grew to Rs 2.5 lakh in around Since the and opponents. to its democratic path. Many
2012. The monetary cost of Parliamentary disruptions is He also assumed executive observers are of the view that
tangible and affects the masses but the real cost is that peo- beginning of power over the judiciary and Saied may use the crisis to push
ple are forced to live in lack of proper legislation over the the Tunisian deployed the army to enforce for what he has called his pre-
years. In case a bill is passed amid disruption, without due his rule. The development has ferred constitutional settle-
deliberation, the impact is devastating, as evidenced in the revolution, the implications not only for Tuni- ment — a presidential system
case of Central farm laws. The logjam between the farmers military resisted sia but also on the prospects for based on elections but with a
and the Central government has left people to lead a life democracy across North Africa. smaller role for the Parliament.
of chaos. Apart from quantitative productivity, two other
being drawn Tunisia is one success story Saied may push for a presidential system based on elections but with a smaller role for the Parliament They also fear that the
very crucial matters are a cause of concern for the healthy into domestic that came out of the Arab development could be the
functioning of the Parliament — reduced role of Parlia- political conflicts spring. Among the countries limit the President’s power in action as unconstitutional. also put the military in a bind. beginning of an authori-
mentary standing committees and increased promulgation that toppled dictators a decade matters relating to military and The deadlock continued Since the beginning of the tarian process marked by a
of ordinances over the past few years. Standing commit- but, with Saied ago, only Tunisia emerged as a foreign policy only. and the government remained Tunisian revolution, the mili- return to personalised power
tees are an outstanding feature of the Parliament that allow assuming the full democracy. Its free and fair He has locked horns with in limbo at a time when there tary resisted being drawn into that was wielded by President
in-depth analysis and expert inputs into any legislation. elections featuring Islamists two Prime Ministers — Elyes was anger among Tunisians domestic political conflicts. Zine El Abidine Ben Ali who
Comparing the engagement of these committees in legis- executive power, and secularists, free-marke- Fakhfakh and Mechichi, over the handling of the Covid- With Saied assuming the exec- was ousted during the public
lative business during last three Lok Sabha, it is reported the military teers and communists, stand whom he himself selected 19 situation and deteriorating utive power, the military had to uprising in 2011. The failure
that while during the 14th Lok Sabha the involvement was out in the region dominated after a deeply divided Parlia- state of the economy that has obey political orders. of democracy in the country
60 per cent, it rose to 71 per cent in the 15th Lok Sabha but had to obey by authoritarians. ment failed to have a consen- contracted nearly 10 per cent Military and security offi- would also vindicate violent
declined drastically to 25 per cent in the 16th Lok Sabha political orders Saied’s action is the cul- sus candidate. Under the dual due to a sharp drop in tourism cials were present with him extremists who have attacked
between 2014-19. If a law is to be devised for a country as mination of months of insti- executive system, the Prime since the pandemic broke out. when he announced the sei- Ennahda and other politi-
diverse and socially sophisticated as India, it cannot take tutional stalemate and Minister is the head of the gov- The recent devastating zure of power. Observers see cal Islamists for naively put-
chances on the strength of the foundation of legislation political infighting. He was ernment directing the cabinet. wave of the pandemic and this as a symbol of the mili- ting too much faith in ballots
that would come through proper deliberation. It is impor- having a showdown with the The Prime Minister’s author- deaths led to protests by the tary being drawn, willingly or instead of bullets.
tant to assess the causes that lead to disruptions and find Prime Minister and Parliament ity strengthened following the people already fed up with the unwillingly, in political dis- A lot is at stake if Tunisia’s
solutions on an urgent basis. In 2001, Parliament itself Speaker Rached Ghannouchi country’s move to democracy. squabbling politicians and vir- putes. Supporters of the Pres- nascent democratic experi-
had identified four causes for parliamentary disruptions. over the powers of the legisla- Some of the contentious tually non-functional institu- ident and of Ennahda had a ment falters. It would demor-
Two of those causes were — the unresponsive attitude of ture and the respective roles of issues between Saied and tions. This gave a handle to the violent confrontation on streets alise democracy activists and
the government and dissatisfaction among the opposition the dual executive — the Presi- Mechichi included who had President to dislodge Mechichi across the country, raising the their proponents as well as
leaders in terms of time and opportunity given to them dent and the Prime Minister. the power to appoint ministers and project himself as a sav- fear that security forces could movements in the Arab world.
to put forth their grievances. This brings us to the pres- For nearly two years after and oversee the security ser- iour from institutional paral- be drawn in the crisis that the This may embolden regional
ent situation. The entire crux of parliamentary function- his landslide victory in the vices. Their differences esca- ysis, political corruption and observers say, heralds an era of autocrats and those opposed
ing for defined outcomes hinges upon two crucial factors presidential contest in 2019, lated when Mechichi, who had economic stagnation. instability and may prompt the to the democratic process
— how well the opposition comes out with severe criticism Saied, a political independent a slim parliamentary major- His action to sack a demo- military to grab power. terming it as being inherently
and how ably the proposition advances towards building known for his political con- ity comprising three parties cratically elected government His action has to be flawed.
a consensus. The fault lines in the present scenario could tempt of party politics, has – Ennahda, Karama Coalition is an alarming development watched in the coming days. The writer is a former Editor
be traced somewhere between these two factors. The main been bitter about the coun- and Qalb Tounes — reshuffled that puts the only democ- Whether he appoints a new of PTI and served as the West
opposition leaders are now looking to forward their con- try’s political system and its his cabinet approved by Parlia- racy in the Arab world at risk Prime Minister and hands over Asia correspondent for the same.
cerns outside of the Parliament as they are not able to find constitutional provisions that ment but Saied denounced the of unravelling. The crisis has the functioning of the govern- Views expressed are personal
answers or proper justification for the lack of the same.
Thawing relations
Such a situation becomes more vulnerable to be misused
for political reasons. Ever since the constitution of the Par-
liament, there has been a well-formulated code of conduct
that was improvised according to changes in parliamentary
conduct over years. If there is a need to upgrade these rules
further and implement the same, nothing explains why it is
lacking until now. An institution of such prime importance
cannot be allowed to be affected further in the interest of
populist actions. The vitality of the facts to law-making has
to be understood. Neither the opposition nor the proposi- Tony Abbott’s two-day sojourn could provide depth and diversity to the already
tion is within its right to waste Parliament’s crucial time by
running political narratives; those better suit election cam-
paigns. As it is called the temple of democracy, the sanctity
deepening India-Australia economic ties, and offer new hope for CECA
I
of the Parliament has to be restored. Its floor should better
be used to serve the people it represents and not for petty t is not often in the world relationship, deepen trade and
populism. Save people’s representation and their money. of diplomacy that a coun- investment links with India
try fields one of its lead- and take the economic rela-
KV PRASAD ing political figures to tionship to the next level, with
DearEditor engage with nations that mat-

ter the most in a world driven
by trade and commerce at an
emphasis on building secure
and resilient supply chains.
Australia visualises that
unprecedented scale. over the next two decades,
SATISFACTORY CLOSURE Last week, former Aus- India would require goods and
tralian Prime Minister Tony services that it can offer in areas
Finally, the mega sporting extravaganza — the Abbott decided to spend four like agriculture, education,
Olympics — came to a heart- wrenching end. Starting days in New Delhi in a differ- skill training and health — a
on July 23 and ending on August 8 — the 17-day long ent role, as PM Scott Morri- sector that assumes immense
son’s special envoy to India importance as COVID19
spectacular event has mesmerised us beyond limits. — a move that underscores the showed how even developed
After initial hiccups and roadblocks emerging from the country’s pathway to imple- countries were found want-
fear of ongoing pandemic, the mega event could achieve ment a plan to transform its ing in terms of inadequate
successful completion. Measures like biosecurity bubble, economic ties with India by infrastructure. The projection
Covid-appropriate behaviour and spectator-less stadia 2035. includes India emerging as the
reined in the spread of infection. The progress from once During his August 2-6 third-largest economy in the
sojourn, the former PM dis- world in less than a decade,
uncertain sporting festivity to its immaculate conclusion cussed with ministers of despite a setback during 2020.
deserves a thumping applause. Kudos and hats off to commerce, coal and mines, The basis for Australia’s
Japan! The country has shown tremendous confidence, energy, power, finance and interest in developing trade
dedication and grit to make this event a grand success. With India NITI Aayog, and signed off and economic ties with India
It was an unprecedented Olympics so far, considering its with a call to the Indian Prime lies in the India Economic
uniqueness in certain regards — emerging as an outcome
unwilling to join Minister. Besides embarking Strategy, aimed to navigate the
of Covid-induced protective measures — in comparison RCEP, CECA on the plan approved in late relationship from “potential to
2018, Abbott’s visit was aimed delivery” by 2035. Prepared
to previous Games. While rising to the occasion this time could become to rekindle negotiations with by former DFAT Secretary
around, the Japanese have set a template to be emulated a preferred India on the Comprehen- Peter Varghese, the 500-page
by other nations. Especially, as a citizen of Asia, we have sive Economic Cooperation document identifies a three-
reasons to cherish this splendid Japanese success from the
route for many Agreement (CECA) which has
Tony Abbott’s visit emphasised on building secure and resilient supply chains
pillar strategy focussing on
bottom of our hearts. Japan has not only conducted this countries to been stalled since he stepped facing a downturn follow- remain areas of special focus. economic cooperation which, economics, geo-politics and
mega event flawlessly but also excelled in performance expand down from his office in 2015. ing the outbreak of the global The trajectory of bilateral in turn, could assist India and people. Among the sectors
His dream of completing the health pandemic, the bilateral engagement remains on the Australia address certain chal- where Australia has a compet-
parameters — claiming the overall third position in bilateral trade pact after entering into a Free trade between the two coun- rise with India and Australia lenges as the world prepares for itive edge, education is a flag-
medal tally. In the Tokyo Olympics, our country also Trade Agreement with China tries during 2020 stood at USD upgrading ties this year to a a post-pandemic new order. ship sector. It constitutes one
grabbed the maximum number of medals than any other
and investment that year remained an unfin- 24.4 billion down from USD Comprehensive Strategic Part- Can there be convergence of the largest services sector
previous Games. After the falling of curtains on Tokyo, with India ished task. 29 billion during 2017-18. nership, encompassing areas as Australia seeks to increase exports, recording USD six
we are now earnestly waiting for the Paris Olympics, With India unwilling to go India is now ranked as the 7th outside the narrow confines cooperation with India, eyeing billion with a little over 1.15
2024. Let us hope that any type of pandemic or along with the Regional Com- largest trade partner and 6th of military ties. Besides demo- as it does have a huge poten- lakh Indian students studying
prehensive Economic Partner- largest export market for Aus- cratic values, both sides share tial in ten sectors while India in Australia.
something like that does not affect the 33rd version of the ship which is expected to roll tralia. Indian imports include a vision on the Indo-Pacific is seeking to expand its manu- As for people, Australians
Olympics — scheduled to be conducted in Paris, France. out early next year, and New coal, copper ore and concen- amid the rising challenge from facturing capacity? How does of Indian origin and Indian
In Paris, we earnestly wait to see both performers and Delhi’s inability to become a trates, gold, vegetables, lentils, China in the region. the policy intersect with India’s residents are the fastest grow-
their on-field beholders celebrate. member of the Asia Pacific fruits, nuts and wool. India now awaits sched- ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ vision? ing community, currently
Economic Cooperation, Separated by the ocean and uling the first 2+2 meet- Does it also dovetail with its numbering 7.21 lakh. Indian
— CHANCHAL NANDY, DURGAPUR CECA is a preferred route preferring to focus on trans- ing between the foreign and avowed grand plan to attract are also the largest source of
via email for many countries to expand pacific for decades, the India- defence ministers, a meet- global manufacturers look- skilled migrants. Just as the
bilateral trade and investment Australia relationship entered ing that would complete the ing to exit China? Will India community played a role in
millenniumpost.in with one of the largest markets a transformational phase dur- set with India having simi- emerge as a part of an alter- the transformation of rela-
in the world. ing the last 15-odd years — lar engagements with the two nate global supply chain that tions with the United States,
Log on to write letters to the editor or send them to In June this year, during a expanding to acquire depth other members of Quad — countries are keen to develop? can India expect a similar
letter2editor.mp@gmail.com. You can also send your comments to The Editor, virtual meeting between PM in areas including agricul- Japan and the United States. Ahead of Abbott’s visit to run down under to move the
Modi and Scott Morrison, ture, critical minerals, energy, The discussion was cen- India, Australian High Com- ties from traditional love for
Millennium Post, Pratap Bhawan, 5 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi 110 002
both sides decided to restart education, and science and tred upon how both coun- missioner Barry O’Farrell cricket and bonding through
negotiations on CECA. With technology. Economic coop- tries can further strengthen described it as a commitment curry and Commonwealth?
global trade and the economy eration, trade and investment bilateral trade, investment and to strengthen the economic Views expressed are personal
2
From
AHMEDABAD TUESDAY 10/8/2021
Editorial
Editor’s
Desk
UNSC meet exposes duplicity of
Taliban and Pakistan, who talk
peace and pursue war at the
same time
Delhi must continue to mobilise international
opinion in all global forums as well as work with
its close partners to mount pressure on Pakistan
and the Taliban to stop fighting and start talk-
ing peace with Kabul.
A special meeting of the United Nations Secu-
rity Council on Afghanistan convened under India’s Home Minister Pradipsinh Jadeja Participating in the celebration of "World Tribal Day" of the Government of Gujarat at Dahod, the closing ceremony of Birsa
presidency last Friday, did not produce a new inter- Munda Tribal University as well as the closing ceremony of 70 works at an estimated cost of Rs. 1222 crore and approximately Rs. 199 works were inaugurated at a
national consensus on arresting the tragedy trig- cost of Rs 487 crore.
gered by Taliban’s military offensive with the full
support of the Pakistan army. On Afghanistan, there
is no unanimity among the five permanent mem-
bers, which is critical for any consequential decisions
by the world body. An ambitious China seeking to
extend its regional footprint, and an opportunistic Sea level in Asia rising at faster rate:
Indian scientist on IPCC report
Russia that tags behind Beijing seem to support
Pakistan’s game plan to reinstall the Taliban in Kabul.
Given its special ties to the Pakistan army, London
tends to be wobbly on the Taliban. The US, which
spent much blood and treasure in rebuilding Af-
ghanistan after ousting the Taliban from power in New Delhi, global sea level and Indian have increased while cold about a 40 per cent increase tion by 234 scientists and “It finds that averaged
2001, has ceded much ground by deciding to with- The sea level around Ocean sea level is also pro- extremes have decreased, in precipitation annually,” it approved by government over the next 20 years, glo-
draw all its troops in Afghanistan by the end of this Asia has increased faster jected to rise at a similar and these trends will con- says. Citing the report, representatives from 195 bal temperature is expected
month. In Europe (represented by France which has than the global average, rate.” According to her, the tinue over the coming de- Panickal said there is a low countries, the climate sci- to reach or exceed 1.5 de-
a permanent seat in the UNSC) too there is a de- with coastal area loss and South and Southeast Asian cades. According to the re- confidence in long-term ence report covers topics grees Celsius of warming. It
cline in political support for a continued Western shoreline retreat. The sea monsoon has weakened in port, an increase in annual (multi-decadal to centen- like extreme weather, hu- uses a set of five emissions
military intervention in Afghanistan. level extremes that previ- the second half of the 20th mean precipitation is pro- nial) trends in the frequency man attribution, the carbon scenarios to explore the im-
Although the UNSC discussion may not have ously occurred once in 100 century (high confidence). jected. of all-category tropical cy- budget, feedback cycles, pact of a broader range of
moved the political needle on Afghanistan, it has years could happen once “ T h e and charts the greenhouse gases, land
laid bare the depth of the crisis there and the du- every six to nine years by dominant future state of uses, and air pollutants.”
plicity of the Taliban and Pakistan that talk peace 2050, and every year by cause of the the climate. On being asked the
and pursue war at the same time. Addressing the 2100 globally, says Indian observed de- According main findings of the new
UNSC, the head of the United Nations Assistance Institute of Tropical Meteo- crease of to the IPCC re- report which the world did
Mission in Afghanistan, Deborah Lyons, pointed to rology Scientist Swapna South and port, the glo- not know before, she said,
the “dangerous turning point,” in the nation.“Ahead Panickal. Southeast bal surface “Yes, scientific advances en-
lies”, she added,“either a genuine peace negotiation Talking to IANS exclu- Asian mon- temperature able AR6 (present report) to
or a tragically intertwined set of crises: An increas- sively about findings of the soon precipi- in the first two better understand and at-
ingly brutal conflict combined with an acute hu- biggest update of the state tation since decades of tribute human influence on
manitarian situation and multiplying human rights of knowledge on climate the mid-20th the 21st cen- the climate system. Extreme
abuses.” That the Taliban could not have mounted science of the Intergovern- century is an- tury (2001- weather events can be at-
the massive military operations on its own was the mental Panel on Climate thropogenic 2020) was tributed to human-caused
burden of the presentation by the Afghan envoy to Change (IPCC), a United Na- aerosol forc- 0.99 (0.84- climate change with higher
the United Nations, Ghulam M Isaczai. He told the tions organisation, pub- ing. Both an- 1.10) degree certainty.
Council that more than 10,000 foreign fighters are lished on Monday with its nual and Celsius higher “For the first time, the
in the country, including from a number of UN des- impact on India, she said the s u m m e r than 1850- Sixth Assessment Report
ignated terror organisations, participating in the Indian Ocean is warming at monsoon 1909. Global provides a more detailed re-
Taliban’s military offensive. He also pointed to long- a higher rate than the glo- precipitation surface tem- gional assessment of cli-
standing Taliban sanctuaries in Pakistan and bal oceans. will increase perature was mate change, including a
Rawalpindi’s massive logistical support for the “Fifty per cent of the sea during the 1.09 (0.95 to focus on useful information
Taliban’s current military offensive in Afghanistan. level rise is contributed by 21st century, 1.20) degrees that can inform risk assess-
Although the world was optimistic about the thermal expansion. Hence with en- higher in ment, adaptation, and other
peace talks in Doha ending the prolonged conflict the sea level over the Indian hanced inter- 2011–2020 decision-making.”
in Afghanistan, the Taliban and Pakistan have merely Ocean region is also rising. annual vari- than 1850- With 7,517 km of coast-
used them to delay negotiations on devising a new The global mean sea level is ability (me- 1900. The 1.5 line, India will face signifi-
political order in Afghanistan while stepping up rising at a rate of around 3.7 dium confidence),” Panickal The increase in rainfall clones. degree goal requires 50 per cant threats from rising seas.
their violent campaign to overthrow the legitimate millimeter per year that is told IANS in an interview. will be more severe over The tropical cyclone in- cent reduction in emissions Across six port cities —
government in Kabul. India must continue to stand estimated between 2006 She is one of the authors southern parts of India. On tensity will increase, how- by 2030 and net zero by Chennai, Kochi, Kolkata,
with the people of Afghanistan, whose dreams for a and 2018. of the IPCC Working Group I the southwest coast rainfall ever, the genesis frequency 2050. Mumbai, Surat and
peaceful future are being shattered. Delhi must con- “At 1.5 degrees, the sea report titled “Climate could increase by around 20 will decrease or main un- Climate scientists say Visakhapatnam — 28.6 mil-
tinue to mobilise international opinion in all global temperature is expected to Change 2021: the Physical per cent, relative to 1850- changed. After a hard two the window is short but it lion people will be exposed
forums as well as work with its close partners to increase by one degree. So, Science Basis”. 1900. “If we warm by 4 de- weeks of working across can be mobilised by politi- to coastal flooding if sea lev-
mount pressure on Pakistan and the Taliban to stop in accordance with that, the She said heat extremes grees C, India could see time zones with coopera- cal will and ambition in- els rise 50 cm, according to
fighting and start talking peace with Kabul. crease. one study. —IANS
Musical biggies Ritviz and TOKYO CALLING Cotton for the

Nucleya team up for album
By Siddhi Jain sonic exploration by Ritviz
Olympics: Feats in track & field monsoons
beyond Chopra’s historic gold
and Nucleya, and capricious By Puja Gupta
In a news set to bring in its ability to sound nostal- Increase in humidity levels during
much cheer among their gic and modern at the same pantheon of Olympic greats by suc- the monsoon season frequently causes
fans, two of India’s most time. The tracks are cheeky Tokyo, who got bronze medal with McLaughlin), women’s
2:10:00. The 36-year-old 800m (Athing Mu), women’s cessfully defending her 100m and one to slip into vests and shorts to beat
widely-followed and distinc- and playful, both in tone While Neeraj 200m titles. The 29-year-old is the the heat. Which is evidently why, the
tive independent artists, and message.” Chopra’s success in Kipchoge was six seconds discuss throw ( Valarie
quicker than what he timed Allman) and women’s pole first woman in history to win the season calls for natural textures like
Ritviz and Nucleya, have col- “Interestingly, Baaraat is getting India their 100 and 200m in back-to-back cotton, which are ideal to beat the tem-
laborated for an eight-track a sweet culmination of a first-ever Olympic at the 2016 Rio Olympic vault (Katie Nageotte).
Games for his first Olympic ITALIAN GOLD RUSH Olympics. perature. The texture is comfortable
album titled ‘Baaraat’. ‘Liggi’ story that began in 2016 medal in athletics, and Elaine suggested she might and cosy while being breezy and cool.
singer Ritviz had previously when Nucleya — pro- that too a gold, was gold. Italy was the surprise
U.S. LEAD MEDAL TALLY package of the track and compete again at the Paris 2024 From cotton maxi dresses to capri
announced putting out 22 claimed as a desi bass pio- the highlight of the Games in a bid to equal the record pants, tank tops to palazzos, women
releases till the end of 2021. neer by then — was im- Tokyo 2020 Games for The United States field events with five med-
headed the athletics medals als, all of which were gold. of compatriot Usain Bolt of 100 and are choosing different styles in cotton
The album will be released pressed by 20-year-old Indian fans, there were 200m gold medals at three succes- to stay comfortable and relaxed. Swap
over a period of eight weeks Ritviz’s musical sensibilities other achievements table with seven gold, 12 sil- The haul included Lamont
ver and seven bronze med- Marcell Jacob’s victory in the sive Olympics.“There’s more that I’m out dupattas for scarves or stoles,
starting with ‘Sathi’ on Au- and offered to master his that also made news. looking forward to accomplishing,” which are less likely to get stained.
gust 6, they announced. four-track EP ‘YUV’. Over the Here’s a look at them: als. Five of Team USA’s gold men’s 100m, Italy’s first
medals were won by Olympic gold medal in the she said. Anuj Mundhra, Chairman and Man-
“There’s more indepen- years, the two have con- MARATHON EF- ALLYSON’S RECORD aging Director — Nandani Creations
dent music coming out of stantly stayed in touch, shar- FORT women, Xinhua reports. event.
The team’s triumphs in- Jacobs, who was born in Elaine’s great rival Allyson Felix Limited, shares some tips:
the country today than ever ing thoughts and tunes, and Eliud Kipchoge became the most decorated U.S. Play with colours -As the mon-
before, and it’s only going to a collaborative project was won second consecu- cluded victories in the men’s Texas to an African Ameri-
and women’s 4x400m relay can father and Italian athlete in Olympic history when she soon approaches. It’s the perfect time
get bigger and better,” just a question of when,” tive gold medal for was a part of the team that won the to pull out those bright colours from
Ritviz had told IANSlife in an revealed a note on the col- Kenya in the men’s events. The men’s team con- mother, also guided Italy to
sisted of Michael Cherry, the 4x100m relay title along- 4x400m women’s relay. your closet that you’ve been putting
interview.“‘Baaraat’ is where laboration. marathon to mark the It was her 11th medal, which off, showcase all the red, green, blue, in-
Ritviz’s classical music- “This collaboration has end of an enthralling Michael Norman, Bryce side Lorenzo Patta, Eseosa
Deadmon and Rai Benjamin, Desalu and Filippo Tortu. helped her surpass the mark previ- digo, and yellow.
tinged stories meet been something I’ve looked track and field compe- ously held by sprint and long-jump Cotton kimonos -Are great addi-
Nucleya’s penchant for dif- forward to, because I’ve tition. Kipchoge timed while the women’s team When asked about the
comprised Sydney secret to Italy’s track success, legend Carl Lewis. Just 24 hours ear- tions to your wardrobe in splendid
ferent sounds. It’s a peek loved his music from day 2:08:38 and was fin- lier, the 35-year-old took bronze in tones, striking prints, and light-hearted
into their personalities, their one and I often found my- ished 80 seconds McLaughlin, Allyson Felix, Jacobs told reporters:“Work
Dalilah Muhammad and hard, dream big. We be- the individual 400m race in 49.46 layers. They can be teamed with crop
musical sensibilities and self wondering what we ahead of Abdi seconds, the second-fastest time of tops, spaghetti straps, and surprisingly
their life. Encompassing the could create together, even Nageeye (of the Neth- Athing Mu. lieved for real that we could
There were also golds in [win].” her career. Sifan went on to claim strong cotton shorts or skirts.
gamut of emotions and though both of us have very erlands) and Bashir bronze in the event but won gold Flower Power What makes the
stages of a riotous celebra- different styles of making Abdi (of Belgium), the men’s shot put (Ryan JAMAICA’S HERO
Crouser), women’s 400m Elaine Thompson-Herah in the 5,000m and 10,000m. —IANS monsoon lighter is a plethora of flower
tion, Baaraat is a whimsical music,” says Nucleya. printed kurtis, co-ord sets and
hurdles (Sydney cemented her place in the
nightsuits.
Benefits of consuming multigrain ready to eat cereals

By Asheesh Kumar Sharma make sure one can snack as home and out-of-home. eating habits, it is no sur- High nutritional content ing foods that are rich in of foods that are rich in di- multi-grains. It has a tasty
much as they want, without In India preference for prise that multigrain prod- than regular cereals: protein help you stay full etary fibre also helps relieve chocolatey cream inside
New Delhi, an ounce of regret or even a multigrain products has wit- ucts have become more de- Multigrain cereals are a rich and satisfied for longer and the body of indigestion and and a crunchy chocolatey
In the last 15 months, we slight compromise on their nessed a considerable rise. sirable as it comes with sev- source of protein, which is can have a considerable several problems that are cereal outside, which makes
have been forced to stay at healthy lifestyle. More and more consumers eral benefits such as the fol- an essential macronutrient positive impact on your caused by it. for the perfect answer to the
home in order to prevent 2020 saw a significant prioritize healthy living and lowing: for our well-being. Consum- body in the long run. Overall health benefit: pesky hunger pangs that hit
the spread of Covid-19. Fear increase in consumption of Multigrain foods de- The dietary fibre from you any time of the day.
and uncertainty amid the in-home Food items and liver a variety of impor- multigrain is a part of an Various consumption
pandemic are unprec- packs leading to elevated tant nutrients, includ- overall healthy diet as they opportunities: Ready-to-
edented. Living within the demand. In 2021 the similar ing vitamins, minerals, help in improving blood eat cereal snacks are con-
four walls of our house dur- trends were identified but protein, fibre, and cholesterol levels. venient to consume. It is a
ing these difficult times can with the active vaccination other healthy plant The health benefits at- quick no-cook meal that
take a toll on our mental and drives in the country, people compounds. tached to multigrain prod- can hold off hunger for
physical health. Facing the are hoping to get back to Support healthy ucts are many, but there are hours. Going with ready-
new normal of working work, where the consump- digestion and im- many more reasons for you to-eat cereal means you
from home, home-school- tion out of home is also ex- proves metabolism: A to be consuming multigrain can prepare and eat
ing of children has been pected to rise. fibre-rich diet helps in ready to eat cereals. The top breakfast in 10 to 15 min-
keeping us all very busy. Taking a cue from the keeping you energetic 3 reasons are: utes or you can consume
Hence, it is more important rising consumer demands and happier, encour- Great tasting good nu- these healthy yet deli-
than ever to look after our- brands have come up with aging an active trition: Humans live to eat cious cereals during mid-
selves and our mental and ready to eat multigrain cere- lifestyle. This process and eat to live, and given our meals.
physical well-being. als that are not only healthy happens as the fibre lifestyle today it is important Weight management:
But one thing that didn’t and tasty but also conve- helps the body to va- to find options that satisfy Multigrain cereal can help
change is mid-meal nient to consume. They aim cate bowels more ef- taste buds without making weight management be-
cravings that can be very to ensure that taste and fectively, preventing you feel guilty. cause fibre produces a feel-
notorious accompanied by convenience is not compro- constipation and For example, Sundrop ing of fullness, discouraging
a feeling of guilt. So, the mised and customers can maintaining bowel Popz is loaded with the overeating which helps re-
need of the hour was to consume them both in- health. Consumption goodness of nutritious duce intake of junk food.
New Delhi, Tuesday, 10 August, 2021
EDITORIAL THE SIKH TIMES 6
Letters to the editor: How Changing track

CPM lost the plot in Bengal No woman from Kerala made it to the Tokyo Games
A second could be an eternity in sports. But on that securely surrounded by hills, Usha’s trainees were
sultry August evening in 1984 in Los Angeles, one- India’s first athletes to resume training after the
hundredth of a second was enough to stand lockdown. Yet, it did not go as expected as the
between glory and despair for more than a billion unrelenting virus caused further lockdowns. Usha
Indians. It was truly a run into history. A tall and says that the pandemic completely truncated her
lanky 20-year-old, with a tongue-twister name, wards’ practice schedules as social distancing and
Pilavullakandi Thekkeparambil Usha, missed her the wearing of masks killed training protocols.
tryst with destiny to become India’s first woman This, however, begs a question. Why then the
Olympic medallist by the narrowest of margins in record rise in the number of men who made it?
the country’s sport history. After crossing the Surely in Kerala too, every hurdle happens to be far
finishing line together, a determined lunge at the more challenging for women than men on account
photo finish helped Romania’s Cristieana of entrenched inequities. In spite of the better
Sir — During the Bengal assembly polls the Cojocaru beat Usha by 0.01 seconds to win the performance on the conventional indicators of
Communist Party of India (Marxist) supporters bronze in the 400 metres hurdles. Years later, Usha health and education, the high incidence of
and even some leaders flooded social media with rued how she had run out of energy in the last 35 domestic violence, a high suicide rate among
the term, “BJmool”, a combination of the metres. The villain was her non-nutritional diet at women, low employment rate et al expose Kerala’s
Bharatiya Janata Party and Trinamul Congress. the Olympic camp consisting of just kanji and distance runner, Chitra Soman, and Usha’s trainee, Tintu patriarchal underbelly. According to a research paper on
kadumanga (rice porridge and her home-made mango Luka, attended two each. Tokyo Olympics 2020 would the relationship between patriarchy and sports in Kerala,
What the CPI(M) wanted to convey was that the
two parties were essentially the same and that both pickle) for more than a week. She was forced to depend go down in history for various reasons, including its “gendered practice of sports marginalizes women in
on this as no Indian food was available at the camp and being held in 2021 due to Covid-19. But for Kerala, it multiple ways.” Besides the pandemic, many detect a
were the enemy. They even said that the TMC and
the BJP were locked in a pseudo battle. After she couldn’t stand the American baked potatoes and would be historic as the first Olympics in four decades falling interest among Kerala’s girls to join sports
boiled chicken. She had no clue about nutrition issues and without a single woman competitor from the state. That compared to the past. With economic prosperity and
failing to win even a single seat in the assembly,
there was none to advise her either. Compare this with too when the 127-member Indian squad boasted of a lower number of children in families, parents’ priority is
the party mandarins are now saying that party
India’s Tokyo Olympic medallist weightlifter, Mirabai record 56 women. studies over sports. The primary reason for the waning
workers should desist from using the term
“BJmool” because it creates confusion (“Light Chanu, who received such support for five years as the The 18-member athletic team included nine women. In a interest appears to be the rise in Kerala’s general
dawns”, Aug 6). services of a famed conditioning coach and physio in the reversal of tradition, the Indian squad this time had a economic status since the 1990s. For long, sports was one
United States of America for which she was flown out a record nine men, including seven athletes from Kerala, of the attractive professions for Kerala’s youngsters
The CPI(M) has now realized that the BJP is not
day before that country imposed restrictions on Indians. where sports has long been dominated by women with 14 dogged by poverty and high unemployment. It offered a
similar to any other political party because it is run
A daily fruit-and-fish diet comprising salmon, tuna and of them figuring in the state’s total of 16 Arjuna award passport to jobs and livelihood for Kerala’s youth, much
by the fascist Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.
pork belly — all imported from Norway — was also winners. Three Kerala women who were expected to like it did for the young footballers of South America.
Here, some points need to be cleared: should the
ensured for her. The LA Olympics turned out to be the make it to Tokyo failed in the trials held in Patiala, mainly Most of Kerala’s famed sportspersons have come from
TMC really not be bracketed with the BJP in so far
moment of her greatest disappointment; but it also made on account of their injuries and the lack of sufficient poor families who live in hilly regions; they are thus
as ‘competitive communalism’ is concerned? Is
Usha India’s greatest woman athlete. preparations. While Jisna Mathew (4 x 400 m gold, Asian physically stronger, making them suitable for endurance
there no trace of fascism in the TMC’s style of
For no Indian woman athlete has come nearer to her record Athletics, 2017) finished fourth in the trials for mixed sports. The routine run to and from school through rough
working? Most important, can there be any better
in a track-and-field event even today although the relay, V.K. Vismaya (4 x 400 m gold in the 2018 Asian terrain makes them potential athletes. Kerala women’s
definition of the likes of Mukul Roy than
weightlifter, Karnam Malleswari, became the country’s Games) ended up last in the trials and the middle-distance advancement in sports also has to do with the generally
“BJmool”? The CPI(M) is barking up the wrong
first woman Olympic medallist at Sydney 16 years later. runner, P.U. Chitra (1500 m gold winner at Asian better indicators like sex ratio, female literacy, life
tree. The party needs a great deal of introspection
India’s sprint queen reigned on Asian tracks for two Athletics, Doha, 2019), narrowly missed out. The Rio expectancy, higher age of marriage and lower infant and
in order to find the root causes of its rout in the
decades, harvesting records and medals aplenty. The Olympics had four Malayali women: O.P. Jaisha maternal mortality rates, notwithstanding the state’s
assembly elections. The confusion created by
‘Payyoli Express’s’ was much more than a personal (marathon), Anilda Thomas (4 x 400 m relay), Tintu Luka patriarchal trappings.
coining “BJmool” is not it. Sir — It is clear that the
achievement. She set a trend. Hundreds of Kerala girls and Jisna Mathew. Usha’s trainees and national-record Most women athletes happen to come from lower middle-
CPI(M) in Bengal lost the plot in the assembly
from similar humble backgrounds were inspired to flock holders, Mayookha Johny (triple jump) and Tintu Luka class Christian farming families settled in the high
elections by going after Mamata Banerjee instead
to sports to not only compete but also fight their own (800 m), had also attended the London Olympics in 2012. ranges. Socially progressive than others, Christian
of focusing on the BJP. Both the CPI(M) and the
Congress leaderships were convinced that there wretched living conditions. Consequently, India’s Most athletes, coaches and officials in Kerala blame it on families and churches have always encouraged girls to
was reasonable political space for them to athletic world came to be dominated by Malayali girls the pandemic and the lockdown that deprived them of acquire education, take up sports or jobs like nursing to
dislodge the TMC from power and relegate the from then. From Usha making Malayali women’s sufficient training, workout, competitions and travel. which Hindus and Muslims were indifferent due to caste
BJP to a distant third position. To this end, they Olympic debut at Moscow in 1980 to that of her protégé, Tournaments were cancelled and there were restrictions and religious prejudices. Kerala’s women — mostly
coined the term “BJmool” to project the idea that Jisna Mathew, at Rio 2016, as many as 19 Kerala women on mobility. The postponement of the Tokyo Olympics Christians — have traditionally excelled across the
the BJP and the Trinamul Congress were two sides have worn India colours in the past 11 Games. Usha by a year was welcomed by the sporting community as it country and abroad as nurses. Kerala’s Christian
of the same coin. The CPI(M) leadership blamed participated in three Olympics; her famous was expected to provide it with more time for community has provided the country with the largest
the voters for the party’s failures instead of poor contemporary, Shiny Wilson, made it to four. Their preparations. But the persistence of the pandemic number of nuns. Since the 1970s, with the state setting up
decision-making. This arrogance of the leadership successors, K.M. Beenamol, made it to three while the perpetuated the restrictions. Since there were no a string of sports schools and organizing more
— that it could not do anything wrong — was also long-jumper, Anju Bobby George (the only Indian gold competitions, Usha conducted meets at her school of competitions, they began to look at sports as a livelihood
exhibited in its alliance with Abbas Siddiqui, a medallist at the IAAF World Athletics), the middle- athletics in Kozhikode from last September for her 20- option.
religious preacher well-known for his illiberal and odd wards. With her school and its synthetic track
misogynistic views. Surprisingly, the CPI(M)
leadership overlooked major differences between
the BJP and the TMC. The CPI(M) kept projecting Glimmer and darkness
the two parties as the same even when a large
number of TMC leaders were leaving the party to In spite of India’s promising performance at the Tokyo Olympics, persistent problems plague Indian sports
join the BJP. The adversarial nature of relations
between the two parties was clear to everyone but The value of perspective cannot be overstated, especially The self-congratulatory stance adopted by Indian
the CPI(M). The Left in India has to retune its when the odds that have to be battled are formidable. leaders is only made worse by the irony of their
stance according to the aspirations of the new Indian athletes, in particular, are regularly expected to actions — in an Olympic year, the Union government
perform in situations where the odds are heavily slashed the sports budget by Rs 230.78 crore. This
generation; instead it remains stuck in the 1960s
stacked against them; that they are often able to give would have a direct impact on resources related to
and 1970s. It has learnt no lessons from China.
the nation the honour of a podium finish in spite of training, infrastructure and sponsorship, all of which
The Left in West Bengal, because of its incapacity innumerable roadblocks is a testament to their grit and play a key role in a sportsperson’s ability to win
to reinvent itself, is becoming increasingly excellence. India’s medal tally at the London Olympics medals. In stark contrast, China, India’s regional
irrelevant. Sir — It is heartening to see that the was impressive — it had won six medals, of which two competitor, plans to make sports a $773 billion
CPI(M) has realized the error of its ways in not were silver and four were bronze. At the Tokyo Games, industry by 2025, a 70 per cent increase from 2019.
uniting against a common enemy when it was which conclude today, India has surpassed all An Olympic gold in a track-and-field event is
most important to do so. This mistake proved expectations by putting up its best-ever performance at inspiring, but India’s total kitty of medals remains
costly as the Left had to cede its position as the Olympics — it has won a gold, two silver and four modest, especially in view of its population and the
principal Opposition to the BJP in West Bengal. bronze medals. For this, the nation’s Olympians must fact that it sent its biggest-ever contingent of athletes
Unfortunately, the inroads that the BJP has made be lauded, not least because their achievements come to Tokyo. The absence of institutional support is one
in Bengal will affect the common people and the at a time when training for sportspersons has run into part of the problem; Indian sportspersons also have to
brotherhood in the state more than it will the immense challenges owing to the global pandemic. embodies the ‘spirit of New India’ — a phrase contend with the lack of a thriving sporting culture that
CPI(M). Amends must be made now to keep the synonymous with the Bharatiya Janata Party’s political prioritizes excellence. This makes the model adopted by
There are other, equally pressing, reasons for ascendance — but posters praising the bronze-winning
BJP away from making further progress in Bengal acknowledging the athletes’ achievements. Their success Odisha for bolstering hockey talent worth emulating: it
in the future. Sir — Bizarre food combinations are boxer, Lovlina Borgohain, featured photographs of the has, in recent years, been the principal sponsor for the
seems to be falling prey to the oldest trick in the book of the Assam chief minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, and the
all the rage on the internet. People are competing political fraternity — politicians claiming credit for the men’s and women’s hockey teams, both of which made
state’s sports minister, Bimal Borah; Ms Borgohain’s history by reaching the semi-finals, with the men’s team
to dish out the weirdest combinations — be it eggs achievements of sportspersons. Not only did the prime image, interestingly, has gone missing from the posters. clinching the bronze.
fried with Fanta in India or liquid. minister say that the Indian women’s hockey team
Naveen Patnaik strikes gold with his love for hockey

DELHI DIARIES: UP Congress yearns for an alliance, Bihar underplays floods
Hockey seems to have regained at least some of its lost regime admit that Covid-19 derailed revival efforts and
glory in India with the spectacular performances of the the party is not in a position to win in most
men’s and women’s teams at the Tokyo Olympics. constituencies in spite of having gained in strength.
Hockey lovers across the country are singing paeans to The Congress hopes an alliance with the Samajwadi Party
the Odisha chief minister, Naveen Patnaik, for having will be beneficial for both and the Bharatiya Janata
given India’s national game a new lease of life by Party can then easily be kicked out of power. Even
sponsoring both teams at a critical juncture in 2018 Priyanka does not rule out the possibility of an alliance.
when Sahara decided to withdraw its sponsorship. The SP leader, Akhilesh Yadav, has expressed
Patnaik, who used to be the goalkeeper of his school willingness to tie up with smaller parties, particularly
hockey team, came to the rescue of the game the Rashtriya Lok Dal of Jayant Chaudhary, but avoided
immediately by signing a five-year deal said to be worth mentioning the Congress. He has even talked of
over Rs 100 crore. For a cash-strapped state like Odisha, winning 400 out of the 403 seats, demonstrating
this was a big sacrifice to make but Patnaik had no confidence of a comeback. The Congress can hope the
hesitation making the decision as the future of hockey collective pressure of all Opposition parties will compel
was in jeopardy. Odisha, thus, became the first state of Yadav to go for an alliance. The show of unity during
the country to officially sponsor the two teams. As the the ongoing parliamentary session is bound to bring all
men’s team clinched bronze at Tokyo, ending a 41-year the parties under pressure to form a coalition.
medal drought at the Olympics, the team was as much in loods are ravaging large swathes of Bihar this year too,
focus as the CM of Odisha with social media being but there is a difference. The state government is not
flooded with praises for Patnaik. Even the Opposition sharing data related to flood-affected areas, population,
leaders have been forced to admit Patnaik’s contribution and relief works. Once or twice a month some half-
to the game. The CM, thus, seems to have killed two baked figures are released, which do not give a clear
birds with one stone. While he has successfully restored picture of the devastation brought by the deluge. Asked
hockey’s lost glory in India, he has also made himself about this change, a senior official shared that “some intelligentsia probed into what had happened and found concentrate on checking the BJP effectively instead of
politically unassailable with his popularity at an all-time vested interests don’t want to put the data in the public out that whenever Kumar wants to inspect anything, all protecting his chair like he did for most of his tenure.
high. domain because it may lead to questions on relief works. the officers concerned are duly informed about his Most felt this was unwarranted; leaving many hurt and
The euphoria about Priyanka Gandhi Vadra transforming There is another possibility that the state coffers are impending visit. They smoothen and refurbish embarrassed. Bora’s remark was lapped up by the
the Congress in Uttar Pradesh has finally disappeared empty and the government has decided to downplay everything to the satisfaction of the CM. It happens with media, leaving most wondering whether the rise of the
and there is a strong yearning for an alliance for the everything.” Incidentally, the CM, Nitish Kumar, is yet all welfare and development schemes too. Ignorance is BJP is responsible for the Congress’s fall or if it is the
upcoming assembly elections. While Congress leaders to announce elaborate relief measures and bliss? latter’s self-destructive streak. The socialist moorings
had dreamt of a dramatic revival, even talking of compensation for flood victims this year. But Kumar is A recent function to mark the change of guard in the of the Karnataka CM, Basavaraj Bommai, has not gone
forming the government with Priyanka being projected busy handling the pandemic. He wanted to see firsthand Assam Pradesh Congress Committee left party down well with his hard-core Hindutvavadi party
as the CM candidate, their dreams have now been how well the people in Patna, Vaishali and a few other members with mixed emotions. While they were happy colleagues. Son of the former CM, SR Bommai, of
punctured. Many leaders privately concede that the districts were following Covid-19 protocols. He set out that a new team under Bhupen Kumar Borah was finally Janata Party, Bommai Jr was part of the Janata ‘parivar’
situation is not good even though an organizational with his entourage and saw no crowds, clean streets, and taking charge, the former state unit president and sitting before joining the BJP in 2008. But the “socialist” label
machinery has been put in place across the state. While a thin presence of people, many of whom were masked. Rajya Sabha MP, Ripun Bora, left most people zapped has stuck. If the “socialist” foundation of Bommai Jr is
critics and dissenters predict doom, even those He returned satisfied and lifted most of the restrictions when he spoke about the intense power struggle to oust already an issue, the BJP government is in for some
supposed to be playing an important role in the Priyanka imposed. Unnerved by this development, the him. He wished his successor would be able to turbulence in the coming months
06 NEW DELHI, TUESDAY 10 AUGUST 2021 Vol. CXXXXXV 187
Incorporating and directly descended

Long Overdue A MEMBER
OF THE
from THE FRIEND OF INDIA - Founded 1818

Vodafone and Cairn may have taken advantage of tax loopholes by using tax havens ASIAN VOICES
Ferment in Belarus like all multinationals, but applying a coercive instrument like retrospective tax only
Boosting food
B elarus, the former Soviet satellite, is bristling. ends up in destroying companies and eroding investor confidence in the stability and
The crisis is tragically personified by the fact
that the Olympic sprinter, Krystsina Tsi-
predictability of a tax regime. The country has paid dearly for this blunder security
A
manouskaya, fled to Poland this week, saying she
s the country grapples with
feared reprisals back home after a dispute with her record hunger and unprece-
coaches in Tokyo. Well and truly has the turmoil dented economic difficulties in
impinged on the individual. The truth arguably lies the shadow of the Covid-19 pandemic,
between two radically different perceptions. The it is now paying the price for its long
Belarus authorities have described as shocking state neglect of the agriculture sector.
media reports on an Iraqi migrant who died while Despite the country’s fertile soil and
trying to cross over to Lithuania. The latter calls it a seas rich in resources, farmers and
fiction, a story invented by Belarus to condemn its fisherfolk are still among its poorest,
neighbour amidst a growing crisis in which migrants most marginalized citizens. Hunger,
especially in the rural areas, is not only
have been used as pawns by the Belarus leader,
widespread but has worsened with the
Alexander Lukashenko. Amidst the conflicting prolonged or recurring lockdowns,
accounts, Lukashenko is raising the stakes in his while bottlenecks and disruptions in
showdown with the West as his country becomes the supply chain to urban centers
increasingly isolated, his crackdowns on dissent have forced consumers to pay higher
widen and his tactics grow more defiant. And this prices for their food. From a big con-
includes the opening of routes for thousands of tributor to the growth of the Philip-
migrants ~ Iraqis in the main ~ to enter Lithuania, a pine economy, agriculture has decli-
member of the European Union. Belarus’ accusa- ned markedly through the decades.
tions against Lithuanian border guards came as the Latest estimates of the Department of
W
Agriculture showed that the farm sec-
Belarussian Olympic runner, Krystsina Tsi- ith the Lok Sabha needs. In July, the Supreme Court fone-Essar. The capital gains that ography “The Coalition Years tor would grow this year by 2-2.5 per-
manouskaya, flew to Poland to seek asylum, saying passing The Taxa- had refused to recompute the accrued upon the acquisition of 1996-2012”, was: “Despite the cent.
she was afraid to fly home to Belarus after criticizing tion Laws (Amend- AGR dues of the three telecom the Cayman Islands-based CGP angst that my proposal generated Finance Secretary Carlos Domi-
her country’s Olympic team. When Belarusian state ment) Bill, 2021 on companies (total about Rs 1 lakh was shown in Hutchinson’s at that time, and even now, both nguez III earlier said that agriculture
media on Wednesday reported the death of an Iraqi August 8, a sordid chapter in our crore). Vodafone shares had pre- accounts as ‘profit from discon- from within my party and out- must expand by at least 2.5 percent to
migrant near the Lithuania-Belarus border late on taxation history is finally getting dictably plunged by nearly 19 per tinued operations’ which was not side, I wonder why every suc- keep up with the food demand of an
Tuesday, Lukashenko blamed Lithuania, slammed closed. Coming after the interna- cent after Mr Birla’s resignation taxable in India under the extant ceeding finance minister in the increasing population. Over the past
the border shut and called neighboring countries tional arbitration awards in on August 4, investors having lost laws; besides, it was also not the past five years has maintained five years, however, agriculture grew
“Nazis.” Belarussian state television aired footage of favour of Vodafone and Cairn, the a whooping Rs 22000 crore since first time that such transactions the same stance.” by an average of only 0.9 percent. In
bill seeks to refund the dues to January 2021. were executed without attracting The amendment forced the first quarter of this year, it even
the bruised and battered body of a man it identified
these and 15 other companies The telecom sector was tax liabilities. Vodafone to approach the Per- contracted by 3.3 percent due to the
as Jafar Hussein Yusuf Al-Haris (39). It broadcast an without any interest, subject to India’s success story. The vibrant But this time, under Mr manent Court of Arbitration significant drop in the output of poul-
interview with two men described as relatives, flown the withdrawal of all pending lit- sector had attracted multiple Mukherjee’s directions, the (PCA) at The Hague, under provi- try and livestock.
in from Iraq last Thursday to claim the body. But igation and promise of no future national and international giants Income Tax Department reck- sions of the Bilateral Investment Even before Covid-19 struck, the
Lithuania dismissed the entire story as a fabrication. claims by the companies. Thou- as well as small operators. The oned the capital gains as taxable Treaty (BIT) between India and country was already in the grip of a
The short point, at least in terms of geopolitics, must gh much delayed, the measure global giant Hutchison was one and in September 2007 raised a Netherlands signed in 1995. food security crisis. According to a
be that both former satellites are in dire ferment. Lu- would help restore some of the of the first telecom companies to demand of Rs 7,990 crore on Under Article 9 of this treaty United Nations Food and Agriculture
kashenko, smarting from tough Western sanctions, lost reputation of India as a pre- enter India. Collaborating with its Vodafone. The Department later (which lapsed in 2016), both Organization (FAO) report released in
has tried to strike back by "exporting chaos" and acc- dictable tax regime and a good Indian partner Essar, Hutchison- admitted that it was a “test case” countries guaranteed each other July 2020, the Philippines had the
investment destination, particu- Essar expanded its operations to make such transactions tax- fair and equitable treatment most number of food-insecure people
using Western neighbours of plotting a coup against
larly at a time when global supply pan-India and became a leading able. Vodafone duly challenged it requiring any dispute to be set- in Southeast Asia from 2017 to 2019 ~
him. He has warned that the deepening border crisis chains are relocating away from market player. Like other opera- before the Bombay High Court tled amicably through arbitra- some “59 million Filipinos suffering
was a “very dangerous situation” that could trigger an China. tors, it got new licenses for some on the ground that Hutchison tion, for which a mechanism was from moderate to severe lack of con-
armed conflict. “We warned them, so let them think,” The NDA Government dese- telecom circles and operated in had sold a foreign company, CGP also suggested. In September sistent access to food,” per a CNN dis-
he said, referring to Lithuania. “But to get to the point rves credit for reversing a dubi- other circles by acquiring smaller Investments, to another foreign 2020, the PCA ruled that the Indi- patch on the UN data. The pandemic
of killing people and throwing them half-dead on our ous policy introduced by Mr telecom entities with licenses for entity, Vodafone, and a transac- an government’s retrospective
territory ~ well, Nazis is all that can be said about Pranab Mukherjee in 2012 that those circles. This led to a very tion between two foreign entities demand of $2.7 billion on Voda-
them.” The narrative of the region suggests that had not only attracted interna- complex, though not unusual, concluded outside India cannot fone was “in breach of the guar-
Lukashenko's use of a migrant crisis to destabilize tional indignation, but hugely ownership pattern for large be taxable in India as it would antee of fair and equitable treat- since 2020 has only aggravated the
neighbours is unlikely to trigger any rethink on West- decelerated FDI inflows into multinational companies. The amount to applying Indian law ment” under the BIT, warning problem. A study by several UN agen-
India. Way back in 1819, the US Hong-Kong based to a commercial that enforcing the tax demand cies released last week highlighted the
ern sanctions over his violent crackdown on the op-
Chief Justice John Marshall had Hutchison Wham- tranaction outside would be a violation of India’s need to ensure a reliable and func-
position after last summer’s presidential election, famously warned: “That the poa held shares in India between two international obligations. India tioning food supply in times of crisis,
which ignited massive protests over widespread power to tax involves the power downstream com- non-Indians. should have gracefully accepted more so with Metro Manila and near-
assertions that the outcome was rigged to keep the to destroy; that the power to panies in the Cay- In December the verdict and moved on, earn- by provinces again going into lock-
President in power. Thousands of people have fled destroy may defeat and render man Islands like 2008, the High Cou- ing the goodwill and confidence down.Part of the problem has to do
Belarus for neighbouring countries amid Lukash- useless the power to create.” The CGP Investments, rt ruled in favour of of foreign countries and investo- with bringing farm produce to the
enko’s crackdown on opposition figures, human righ- retrospective taxation legislation which in turn held revenue which was rs. Instead, it went on to appeal. market, especially to urban centers;
ts activists and journalists. With Belarus isolated from had indeed destroyed our once shares in down- overturned by the It was a similar story with there are not enough farm-to-market
the West, Vladimir Putin stands by Russia’s ally. It has vibrant telecom sector. stream companies Supreme Court in the UK based Cairn Energy and roads and transport facilities for agri-
been a year of repression post the disputed vote. The Government move based in Mauritius January 2012 which another Indian entity, Cairn cultural products. The series of lock-
came more than a month after which in their turn absolved Vodafone India, where the Government’s downs since last year has, meanwhile,
Taking stock Mr Kumar Mangalam Birla, the
non-executive chairman and
held shares in an
Indian holding
GOVIND
BHATTACHARJEE
of all tax liability,
holding that the
coercive power was even more
starkly evident as it slapped a tax
pushed many food producers to the
brink of collapse.
H
director of Vodafone-Idea Ltd company that con- sale did not amount demand of Rs 10247 crore ($1.2 With the closure of nonessential
igh liquidity in global stock markets com- (VIL) resigned after his pleas to trolled Hutchin-
The writer is a commentator,
author and academic to tax avoidance. billion) on Cairn India in January establishments in Metro Manila, thou-
bined with the accommodative stance taken the government to buy his entire son’s subsidiaries in That should have 2014, then went on to seize its sands of jobs would be lost again,
by central banks of the major economies has 27 per cent stake in the company India. Through the closed the matter financial assets, besides freezing which is in turn expected to lower the
led to the phenomenon of so-called Robin Hood to save it from an “irretrievable CGP, Hutchinson held 67 per cent permanently, with the legal loop- payment of dividend by it to demand for farm products. “Although
investors ~ retail, usually younger investors with point of collapse” had fallen on stake in Hutchison-Essar. Cay- hole being plugged by a prospec- Cairn Energy. Cairns Energy too our production is already low, the con-
smaller budgets willing to take a punt on unconven- deaf ears. With a subscriber base man Islands and Mauritius, tive legislation. Instead, Mr approached the PCA and won a sumption and demand are much
tional and/or beaten-down scrips. What makes this of 268 million and a market share being tax havens, attracted multi- Mukherjee introduced retrospec- Rs 8842 crore ($1.2 billion) award lower. In meat, we have an oversupply
new way of investing possible is the proliferation of of 23.5 per cent, VIL is one of the nationals with the operational tive taxation by amending the in December 2020. Here again [that is being] worsened by the arrival
only three private-sector com- flexibility of relocating their units Income Tax Act in the 2012-13 the government went on to of imports,” said United Broilers Rais-
digital platforms which carry minimal brokerage petitors left standing in a field to avoid taxes; this too is not budget to override the Supreme appeal, forcing Cairn Energy to ers Association president Bong In-
charges and offer a no-frills service; no research that was once vibrant with a unusual. Only now, the major Court judgement ~ against the approach foreign courts to recov- ciong. “Everyone’s problem is demand
reports, stock recommendations or sector analysts dozen national and international economies have agreed to coop- counsel of PM Manmohan Singh er the money from India’s foreign because people don’t have the money
here! Relying on volatile stock markets or cryptocur- players. erate to prevent such tax avoid- and other colleagues who feared, assets. to buy anymore.”
rencies is a gamble in any case, goes the logic, so why VIL now is on the verge of ance by applying a minimum 15 rightly, that it would adversely Vodafone and Cairn may In their study “Assessing the
not have some fun in the process without risking too collapsing under the weight of its per cent global corporate tax rate impact the FDIs that India need- have taken advantage of tax loop- Impact of COVID-19 on Food Systems
much capital, especially with the possibility of a jack- nearly Rs 1.8 lakh crore liability, on multinationals operating in ed so much. holes by using tax havens like all and Adaptive Measures Practiced in
pot (if one is very, very lucky) on the horizon. It’s a bit which includes Rs 96,270 crore in different countries. The FDI inflow indeed nose- multinationals, but applying a Metro Manila,” the FAO, the United
like buying a lottery ticket though there is an element deferred spectrum obligations, In December 2006, Hutchi- dived as a fallout of the amend- coercive instrument like retro- Nations Development Programme, the
Rs 23,000 crore due to banks and son decided to exit India. In May ment. Reversing a growth rate of spective tax only ends up in des- World Food Programme, and the
of skill involved in researching sectors and listed
financial institutions, besides Rs 2007, it sold its Indian operations 64 per cent registered in 2010-11, troying companies and eroding International Fund for Agricultural
companies as well as picking stocks. The USA, the 60,000 crore dues to government to the Netherlands-based Voda- it fell from $37 billion in 2011-12 investor confidence in the stabil- Development noted how Covid-19 has
mother market as it were, was where it all started but on account of Adjusted Gross fone at $10.8 billion, which then to a trickle of $24 billion in 2012- ity and predictability of a tax caused severe disruptions to food
India too has seen an exponential rise in retail in- Revenue (AGR), the revenue- acquired CGP Investments 13. It would take another three regime. The country has paid markets and systems, directly affect-
vestors ever since the March-April 2020 Covid-19 sharing mechanism between the whose acquisition gave it control years to reach the 2011-12 level - dearly for this blunder, which has ing farming and fisheries workers.
induced stock market crash with a low interest government and the telecom over all downstream companies in 2018-19, FDIs increased to $51 also left a once-vibrant sector These gaps, they warned, have result-
regime aiding the shift of money from savings companies since 1999 in lieu of and hence control over its Indian billion, or only 1.8 per cent of now gasping for breath. One does ed in considerable economic damage
accounts, fixed deposits and the like to the bourses. It the earlier ‘Fixed License Fee’ operations. Taking advantage of GDP as against 2 per cent in not know if the new bill will be and food insecurity: “Small-scale food
is a risky game but one an increasing number of peo- model. The company is also fac- the loopholes in Indian tax laws 2011-12. India’s position in the enough to revive Vodafone-Idea producers are considered less resilient
ple seem willing to play given the looming economic ing a huge cash crunch of about which did not make such trans- World Bank’s ‘Index of Invest- Ltd., but at least it has given it a to Covid-19 shocks, particularly in
Rs 25,000 crore. VIL’s collapse actions taxable even though the ment Friendliness’ fell from 131 ray of hope and confidence to terms of restricted mobility and travel
uncertainty save in sectors such as IT. In other parts would mean the Indian market assets were located in India, the in 2011 to 134 in 2013, below investors, as reflected by a 19 per suspensions, due to farm operations
of the world, however, fractional investments in areas would be a duopoly of Reliance entire deal and payments were Uganda, Ethiopia and Yemen. Mr cent rise in its share price on requiring intensive labour, from plant-
ranging from livestock to limited-edition Rolex Jio and Airtel to serve a billion transacted outside India. Hutchi- Mukherjee’s only defence, a weak August 6, subsequent to the ing, growing and harvesting to deliver-
watches too are in vogue with the expectation, belie- people’s telecommunication son-Essar thus became Voda- one, as articulated in his autobi- introduction of the bill. ing farm produce.”
ve it or not, of somewhat stable returns when com-
pared to stock market blue chips. In South Korea, for
instance, Bancow, a platform for investing in cattle,
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR editor@thestatesman.com
THE DEATH OF A DALIT GIRL
acts as an intermediary for investors and farms seek-
ing to buy and co-invest in calves. After about two ye-
ars, full-grown cows are sold at auction and the two Mr Patnaiks silent support the upcoming Men’s Hock-
ey World Cup. For 2020-21,
Patnaik government has
SIR, Once again it was shocking to learn how very recent-
ly, August 3, 2021, a nine year old Dalit girl had been
allegedly raped, murdered and burnt to death in the capi-
investing parties share the profit. The more money SIR, This refers to the re- goalie. In the past three ye- Since 2018, the Odisha gov- earmarked over Rs.300 tal city of india-Delhi. Due to the hue and cry raised by
investors pour into a cow, the more shares they hold. port, ‘ndian hockey players ars, he has been the biggest ernment has sponsored crore for building sports women’s rights activists and politicians, a few men have
Meanwhile, farmers chip in for breeding costs. Farm- praise Odisha CM Naveen benefactor of Indian hock- both the men’s and wom- infrastructure. To give the now been arrested, not without reluctance on the part of
ers who pay for A-class fodder are given more shares Patnaik’ (7 August). Efforts ey, lavishing money and en’s national hockey teams, best possible grooming to the establishment.
than others. A generation tired of worrying about los- by the Naveen Patnaik gov- resources on the sport. stepping in as sponsor players, the Odisha govern- It seems FIR has been lodged by the girl’s parents, cit-
ing money overnight in stocks given the high volatil- ernment in Odisha to when business group ment, along with Tata Steel ing sections under POCSO Act, SC/ST Act, and IPC sec-
ity created by the pandemic and geopolitical flux support hockey bore fruit Sahara withdrew. and Tata Trusts, set up the tions 302, 376 and 506. From the available media reports, a
seems to be gravitating towards stable investment in on Thursday when the Apart from this, all Naval Tata Hockey Acade- priest of the crematorium temple seems to be the prime
Indian men’s team ended the expenses of both my on the premises of suspect in this particular case. He along with a few others
tangible assets. Rare luxury goods too are finding tak-
a 41-year wait for an teams - for boarding, Kalinga Stadium in 2019. proactively informed the girl’s mother of her daughter’s
ers with ‘shares’ in Rolex watches, for example, being Olympic medal, beating training, education and Besides, the Odisha govern- death.
bought by investors. A digital platform dedicated to Germany 5-4 in the nurturing talent ~ are ment has tied up with They hastily and forcibly burnt her body. It seems
this trade is gaining in popularity; it offers a set of bronze medal match in borne by the state exche- Reliance Foundation HPC the police, local politicians and other influential local men
Rolex pieces in which investments can be made to Tokyo. India captain quer. When other states for athletics, the Pullela tried to threaten and bribe the family in order to dissuade
reap potential gains when the pieces are sold six Manpreet Singh thanked had declined to host the Gopichand Badminton them from pressing charges. The erstwhile horrendous
months later. Demand for such ‘bits and pieces’ Patnaik for the support men’s hockey World Cup, Foundation and Dalmia Kamduni, Unnao, Katwa and Hathras rape cases and
investment opportunities has been higher than that the state has provid- Odisha came forward to Cements for badminton nation wide protests seem to have had no impact on
expected, experts say. There are obvious areas of con- ed to the team. The reti- organize it. Kalinga Stadi- and JSW for swimming and predators. Almost every other day we receive news of sex-
cern, of course, the primary among them being that cent and soft-spoken Pat- um was refurbished in football. One must never ual assault and murder of girls and women. Gender based
naik’s tryst with hockey record time. Odisha is forget the silent support of crimes against women and girl children continue unabat-
unlike traditional financial goods and services that began six decades ago, now building a world- Mr Patnaik in resurrecting ed. Unfortunately, as responsible citizens we remain silent,
are overseen by the relevant market authorities, such when as a student at class hockey stadium at the game. alarmed and helpless spectators.
investments are largely dependent on the platforms’ Doon School, he guarded Rourkela ~ at a cost of Yours, etc., SSPaul, Yours, etc., Sanjukta Dasgupta, Kolkata, 8 August.
internal protocols for investor protection. Welcome to his team’s goalpost as a around Rs.100 crore ~ for Nadia, 7 August.
NEW DELHI, TUESDAY 10 AUGUST 2021 07
Pakistans Art. 370 dilemma
HARSHA KAKAR abrogated article 370 in 2019, Pak-
100 YEARS AGO
OCCASIONAL NOTE
During the past few years Spain has almost wal-
istan announced a thirty-minute lowed in prosperity - that is to say, a consider-
T
he second anniversary of protest every Friday at noon. It last- able number of Spaniards engaged in commerce
revoking Article 370 on 5 ed just one Friday, and the only par- have made enormous fortunes. Excepting Ire-
August was played up in ticipants were government servants, land, Spain has emerged from the war period
Pakistan, as expected. Pak- who were ordered to stand under better off than any other country in Europe.
istan attempted to launch a twitter the sun to fulfil the government’s Consequently she is all the more inclined to
storm and had circulated twenty directions. Pakistan’s attempt to resent the friendly, and possibly disinterested,
standardised messages to be spread rope in the OIC into its stand against advice tendered her by the French and British
on social media. It flopped. Every the Indian decision failed. press, to cut her losses in Morocco, and abandon
Pakistani leader, Imran Khan down- The global community accept- her African empire. To do this would, of course,
wards, tweeted on the event. Imran ed that this was India’s internal deci- be to give up all hope of oversea development,
Khan stated, “Pakistan will contin- sion and stood by India. Pakistan and Spain - or at least the Spanish Government -
ue to fight the Kashmiri’s case with was left alone, hankering for atten- still retains sufficient pride to render this deci-
conviction.” He had earlier declared tion. It had taken the decision to sion unpalatable. Accordingly it is officially
himself as an ambassador for Kash- protest. Hence it has no option but announced that, although the situation is even
mir. SM Qureshi, Pakistan’s foreign to continue with it every year, even if worse than it was ascertained to be a fortnight
minister tweeted, “We will not relent it means forcing its people to par- ago, the might of Spain is to be reasserted in
in our moral and diplomatic sup- ticipate. Pakistan’s dreams of raising Morocco, and reinforcements are being sent.
port to Kashmiri’s right to self-deter- its flag at Lal Chowk has ended with The situation, however, has been complicated
mination.” a whimper of horns and slogans in the gravest manner by a tendency to mutiny
Pakistan directed its population every 5 August. on the part of the troops, and it is asserted that
to maintain a minute’s silence at 9 Confusion on how to react troopships crossing to Morocco are now accom-
am. The intention was to avoid it remains ripe within Pakistan. Dis- panied by destroyers with their guns trained on
becoming a joke as the earlier 30 cussing backchannel talks between them - hardly an encouraging preliminary to
minutes’ silence, adopted in 2019, India and Pakistan during his iftar active service which promised to be unusually
flopped. Simultaneously, they interaction with select journalists, severe and dangerous. Whatever happens to
placed a caricature of the Indian General Bajwa, the Pak army chief Spain is now a matter of comparative indiffer-
PM, Narendra Modi, at an important and de-facto decision maker, stated ence to a Europe in which she definitely refused
junction in Islamabad, and request- that Article 370 is of no concern to to play a worthy part during the great war.
ed all passing the point to honk their Pakistan. What matters is restoration
horns. This was Pakistan’s immatu- of statehood and no change in NEWS ITEMS
rity, desperation and admission of demography.
failure of its Kashmir policy on dis-
play. The event was targeted at its
SM Qureshi, in a TV interview
in early May this year, mentioned MYSTERY OF THE
domestic audience, seeking to shift
attention from an economically fail-
that Article 370 was an internal mat-
ter of India. He stated, “In my view,
DACCA "SANYASI"
ing state and offset the opposition Article 370 is not important.” When There was a crowded public meeting at the
charge that the government had sur- questioned on what was important, Coronation Park on Sunday evening at which
rendered Kashmir to India. he added, “Article 35A. Article 35A, speeches were made regarding the identifica-
Last year, on the first anniver- incorporated into the Constitution tion of the supposed Kumar of Bhowal by num-
sary of 5 August, Pakistan changed in 1954 by an order of the President bers of people, including highly respectable and
the name of its Kashmir Highway to in 1954, allowed the J and K legisla- ical party in Kashmir demanded a schemes, ignored for decades, have support of Hurriyat demands. Hur- disinterested persons. In the course of his
Srinagar Highway, not that it made ture to define permanent residents protest. On the contrary, all political been introduced. Grassroots democ- riyat leaders, charged for crimes and speech Babu Sarat Chandra Chakravarty said
any difference; nor did the quality of the state, their special rights and parties are actively participating in racy has been implemented with the money laundering, are not in any that the object of the meeting was not to declare
of the road improve. Pakistan also privileges.” Qureshi was following the delimitation exercise. Only the successful conduct of District Devel- position to dominate the political that the Sanyasi was the second Kumar, but to
released a map claiming Kashmir the footsteps of General Bajwa. Hurriyat chairman, Mirwaiz Umar opment Council elections, in which space. The common Kashmiri, real- ask the Government to hold open enquiry to
belonged to it, which implied noth- He was forced to change his Farooq, commented on 5 August: every major political party partici- izing that he was exploited by the satisfy the public. He said that in a matter like
ing. Imran Khan visited Muzaf- statement a day later when faced “The Hurriyat would like to draw the pated. Tourism is back to normal. Hurriyat for their own personal this, over which there had been loss of human
farabad and addressed the legisla- with political backlash from the attention of the citizens of India and Educational institutions of repute gains, has begun ignoring them. life at Mirzapur, an open enquiry was essential.
tive assembly; other ministers took opposition. In his retraction, the world at large that the present are opening in the state. Youth are This state of peace has irked He criticised the action of the Board of Revenue
out solidarity rallies in different Qureshi stated, “Jammu & Kashmir Indian government’s actions of still joining militant ranks; however, Pakistan. It is in this atmosphere for declaring the Sanyasi to be an imposter so
cities. A few days prior to the event, is an internationally recognised dis- August 5, 2019, has only complicated numbers are within control. Security that the Imran Khan government hurriedly and for holding a confidential enquiry.
DG ISPR, the Pakistan army’s public pute on the UNSC agenda. Nothing the dispute further over the State of forces have changed their strategy acted on 5 August. Had it remained
relations department, released a
song to mark Pakistan’s opposition
about J&K can be India’s internal
matter.” Pakistan has failed to
J&K.” He was referring to the current
Indo-China standoff as now being
from eliminating terrorists to
encouraging them from not joining
silent, it would have faced wrath
from its opposition. It knew its
FIGHTING NON-
to the Indian decision. inform its public that Article 370 was part of the Kashmir dispute. He also militant ranks. With the ceasefire protests mean nothing. It is caught COOPERATION AT
Since 2019, Pakistan has
remained confused on how to react
imposed in Kashmir in 1957, while
the Kashmir dispute is of 1948.
urged the Centre to resume talks
with Pakistan.
holding, infiltration has reduced.
With the Pakistan backed Hur-
between the frying pan and the fire,
with little choice but to jump into ASANSOL
to the abrogation of Article 370. What has hurt Pakistan’s leader- Within Kashmir, there has been riyat almost defunct and flow of the fire and protest for the sake of A meeting was held in the East Indian Railway
From Black Day in 2019, it was Soli- ship is that there were only protests a sea change over the past two years. funds blocked, there is no money to protesting. School, Asansol, on Sunday, to record its
darity Day in 2020 and possibly in Pakistan, nothing in Jammu and Violence levels are down, so is stone encourage violence and compel the The writer is a retired Major-General of the approval of legitimate Indian aspirations and
honking day in 2021. When India Kashmir. Not a single entity or polit- pelting. Central government public to shut down businesses in Indian Army. its condemnation of certain aspects of the non-
cooperation movement. About 250 influential
people, Indian and European, assembled by
Plight of Nepals migrant workers

invitation, and the professional industrial and
times what a regular ticket would commercial classes were represented among
cost, an amount equal to around the speakers. The District Magistrate of Burd-
five months’ wages for workers at wan presided. Resolutions were unanimously
DEEPAK THAPA centres for the purpose. If that was meeting took quite an unexpected In Aquino’s own words: ‘You have the bottom of the rung. One can passed in favour of legitimate Swadeshi enter-
not enough, everyone then had to turn. As was reported, ‘the last part every reason to be proud of your only assume that the airlines are prise, and of all advances towards the attain-
T
here are many contenders converge in one place to get their of the Korean national anthem, work, whatever your work, no mat- getting away with it because they ment of complete self-government by consti-
for the unsavoury distinc- vaccination cards certified, all the which was played by a band of min- ter how despicable it might seem to can, despite their claims of fewer tutional means. The meeting unanimously con-
tion of ‘exiles at home’, but while contending with the mad rush ers, was barely audible because others… [R]emember that it is not flights. demned the economic boycott, hartals, the use
among the lowest points in that followed them everywhere. everyone was sobbing’. When Park just your spouse, children and rela- I am no expert on airline ticket of the social boycott as a political weapon, and
Nepal’s fight against Covid-19 was After a public outcry, it was decided started talking, he began by saying: tives who will be grateful for the sac- pricing, but a simple comparison attempts to foment industrial disputes for polit-
the sight of Nepali migrant workers that any sizeable hospital could pro- ‘Let’s work for the honour of our rifice you are making, but the entire with another country similarly ical ends. Those present pledged themselves to
in the Gulf banding together to buy vide certification. Why it was not country. Even if we can’t achieve it Filipino people. You can be sure that placed shows what a lousy deal our do their utmost to contradict false statements
oxygen cylinders to meet the huge done in the beginning beats reason, during our lifetime, let’s work hard your government will do everything workers are getting. An internet likely to mislead ignorant persons.
shortfall the government had failed but trust the government to come for the sake of our children so that for your good.’ search a few days ago for ticket
to foresee. Instead of building up
savings towards a mobile phone or a
up with ingenious ways to make life
difficult for the people at every given
they can live in prosperity like every-
one else.’
In Nepal, it is a different story.
The Department of Foreign Employ-
prices on nearly equidistant
routes—Kathmandu to Doha and
ALLEGED ANARCHIST
flat screen TV for their near and dear
ones waiting expectantly through
opportunity.
Edward Said once wrote that
The general could not continue
for long since he also choked up.
ment (DoFE) has seen 21 Directors
General (DGs) in the past 12 years
Colombo to Doha—showed the lat-
ter (at USD 300) to be more than
CONSPIRACY
long years of separation, hard-work- ‘exile is strangely compelling to ‘Everyone cried, including the first (with the count of ministers in four times cheaper despite the Subodh Ray, a Bengali was charged yesterday
ing Nepalis were chipping in to help think about but terrible to experi- lady and the officials accompanying charge almost equally long). Apart longer flying time. That, though, is with the theft of a revolver and some cartridges
a nation they call home. ence. It is the unhealable rift forced the president.’ The story goes that from two of the DGs being under only part of the story. The outrage is belonging to H.E. Watson, a resident of the
For all their pains, though, their between a human being and a the Korean workers in Germany put investigation for corruption, the that airlines were allowed to carry a Grand Hotel. The accused man was in the habit
efforts seem to have been forgotten, native place, between the self and up their future earnings as collateral high turnover in this nodal body in maximum of only 75 passengers of calling on Watson in his room ostensibly on
and we are back to business as its true home: its essential sadness for the loan being discussed. The charge of the foreign employment when flying to Colombo until business, and one day, in the latter's absence,
usual. That is, making sure that the can never be surmounted.’ Our scale may be different, but the sector indicates how rotten the sys- recently. Yet, ticket prices were much he took the articles from a box. Sailendra
toughest and often unnecessary migrant workers leave on their own despatch of oxygen cylinders by the tem has become, with anyone try- lower than on the full flights allowed Mukherji, a Bench clerk at the Bankshall Street
obstacles are placed before migrant volition, but through a process that much-poorer Nepal workers in the ing to bring in positive changes into Nepal. Court, stated that the accused man told him
workers in their quest to earn an many can least afford. Almost none Gulf cannot in any way be less wor- shunted aside. When I last flew into Kathman- that he was a member of an anarchist party and
honest living (while also collectively has contracts or can spare the thy of recounting. That probably explains why du in early July in a packed-like-sar- that his associates intended to send him up-
propping up the national economy). wherewithal to allow them time off The second story comes from there is no longer any pretence dines flight, there sat a chap with a country with the arms. The accused told him
A recent headline in Kantipur was to come back whenever they want the Philippines, a country that had a among these ‘manpower compa- register noting down how much that if the police would accompany him he
brutal: ‘You give us oxygen, we’ll to. Their condition is thus not unlike head start over Nepal in sending nies’ following the government’s everyone had paid for their flights. would be prepared to give further information if
ensure you torture.’ The article that of an exile, with the ‘sadness’ workers abroad and which, like us, official policy of ‘free-visa, free- As he explained, there had been he was pardoned in a case of cheating that was
detailed how migrant hopefuls, accentuated by an uncaring state. also continues to rely on them to ticket’ for foreign employment. complaints about extortionate ticket pending against him. The case was adjourned.
always in a pincer between an More on this later, but I would like to sustain the economy. When Corazon Even though this near-zero-cost prices and they were trying to figure
uncaring government
unscrupulous agents, are now con-
and highlight two worthy counterexam-
ples that set out to understand the
Aquino became president in 1986,
she undertook just 16 foreign trips
scheme for migrant workers had
always been observed more in the
out what was happening. I can
imagine he is still there a month
JAPANESE CROWN
fronted with the urgent need to get
vaccinated and thereafter get their
trauma of the ‘forced rift’ that Said
himself experienced for much of his
in her six-year tenure. The one crite-
rion she had for accepting invita-
breach, at least everyone pretend-
ed it was otherwise. Now, we have
later, filling register after register,
officiously pretending that some-
PRINCE
vaccination cards ‘certified’. life. tions from abroad was the presence the secretary of the recruitment thing will be done about it. He is The Japanese Crown Prince arrived at Colombo
With the end of the lockdown, The first is from when South of Filipino workers there. A former agencies’ association brazenly fooling no one—not the workers this morning on his return journey to Japan
prospective migrants have descend- Korea used to send its workers exile herself, she would have been quoted as saying: ‘There should be coming back—savvy as they have after his visit to the West. The battleship Katori,
ed on Kathmandu by the thousands. abroad. During a trip in 1964 to West keenly aware of the plights of more flights to facilitate migrant become about worldly ways and can followed by the Admiral's vessel Kachima,
The one commendable government Germany to negotiate a loan, the migrant workers, and it was during workers so that they get tickets at see through a deceptive ploy. Cer- anchored alongside the British warship Comus,
decision—to prioritise vaccines for Korean dictator, Park Chung-hee, one such trip to Hong Kong in 1988 cheaper rates.’ tainly, our heroes deserve better which fired a salute. The Japanese Consul-Gen-
migrant workers—was offset by the also found the time to catch up with that she made the famous speech in It is baffling that the govern- than that. eral from Calcutta, with the Japanese Consul of
utter chaos that ensued by the des- some Korean miners far away from which she extolled the Filipinos ment is unwilling to do anything Colombo, went abroad the Katori. The arrival
ignation of just four vaccination the capital. The town hall-style working abroad as the ‘new heroes’. when our workers pay nearly five The Kathmandu Post/ANN. was of a most informal and simple character,
there being no State receptions or festivities of
CROSSWORD any kind. H.E. the Governor and Lady Manning,
NO 28999 the leading officials and their wives will be the
guests of the Prince at a Japanese dinner on the
Katori tonight. Tomorrow night there will be a
YESTERDAY'S SOLUTION ACROSS 27 32 spending a week cycling to see hacking's over (8)
dinner on the Kachima, given by the Admiral.
capital city (4) 7 To inflate, for example, say, big, blue
8 On top of St Paul's cathedral there's
28 Sofa frame (5) balloon flipping work out (6)
9
10
one copper not quite freezing (6)
Military help broadcast position (3,5)
Line to appear conversational (4)
29 Scotsman's focus on game's periods
of excitement (4)
14 Artist born in Japan or thereabouts
(3)
NANKANA SAHIB CASE
31 A bread almost always contained 17 Finishing off court activity without
11 Daughter joins a corporation that's
moisturising agent (4,4) skill upset business connection? (8) Defence evidence is being recorded in the
a fact (5)
32 Country music's lead artist's opening 19 Curse of the Mummy follows Rain Nankana case, in which Mahant Narain Das and
12 Buggy memory on laptop, ultimately
(4)
act one (6) Man occasionally (8) others are being prosecuted under Sections 197
20 Recalled gnome used to be... (3) and 302 I.P.C. More than a dozen witnesses have
13 Romeo oddly only Romeo reveals DOWN 21 ... cool, showing wit but not our
no-win situation (8)
1 Embrace European giant (4) one, it's beastly? (7) been examined so far, all of whom have stated
15 Bird or Turkey stuffing go large (6)
2 Make metal stiff (6) 23 David Lynch hides with enthusiasm that they went to Nankana on business, and
16 Repaired noisier air-freshener (7)
18 Initially men are recording sound of
3 Spirit of burlesque essentially, (6) were arrested by the Sikhs and confined in
topless form of entertainment, with 24 Name-dropping family member in rooms in a Sarai and were let out subsequently.
cow with Electronic Kit? (7)
no lines (3,2,3) Northern Ireland's central parts (6)
22 Very old have nurse to push forward
4 Film theatre replaces variable, new 26 Lessons from Master before exams Some of them were beaten and tortured and
(6)
projector (7) (6) were handed over to the police. None of them
25 Narrow escape as armies moving
east to west within nanoseconds
5 Canvass doctor and upper class 30 Finally get to airshow in had, however, laid any complaint against the
politician about university (4,2) Bournemouth, say (4) Sikhs. All of them secured their release through
(4,4)
6 Perhaps Guy's in control at IPSO
the intervention of one or other of the Sikh lead-
NOTE: Figures in parentheses denote the number of letters in the words required. (By arrangement with The Independent, London)
ers at Nankana who knew them. The list of
defence witnesses numbers three hundred.
THE AVENUE MAIL, Jamshedpur COMMENT Tuesday, August 10, 2021 4
Man-animal conflict getting

too close for comfort
Committed for farmers welfare and rural prosperity
By Shobha Karandlaje business as usual approach to more
prudent diversified approach.
E
By Narendra Puppala ven after seven decades of Given the legal vacuum created so
development in India, far for liberal trade in agriculture,
D
ogs and monkeys -- the first, man's oldest friend from the animal world, and the agriculture remains the these legislations set in to bring
other, man's closest relation from the animal world, loved and revered as an critical sector as a source of raw long due growth, investment, terms
epitome of faith in the Hindu lore. But, no less than 300 stray dogs are estimated to material and key inputs to several of trade besides transforming rural
have been killed by poisoning in a small village in Andhra Pradesh around a fortnight ago. other sectors. Though key sectors economy holistically.
And, around the same time, in neighbouring Karnataka, at least 60 monkeys were found in of the Indian economy were Sustainable inclusive
gunny bags strewn along a country road one fine morning. Found dead or dazed, the liberated from the clutches of development
simians are believed to have been drugged before their capture. Predictably, the grisly license raj and over regulation, There are certain areas/ list of
incidents provoked a hue and cry in several quarters. Animal rights activists took up the agriculture was left out of the 1991 subjects where central government
matter in Andhra Pradesh, and local police reluctantly filed a case in the matter, finally. In reform radar and continues to do not have the Power to legislate
Karnataka, the High Court taking suo motu cognisance, ordered an enquiry into the killings languish. Geographically, the and regulate exclusively, However
of the monkey. While a few persons, belonging to traditional animal-trapper communities, country is located in such a in the last seven years, central
have been arrested in Karnataka for the monkey murders, in Andhra Pradesh, the favourable position that most of the government brought in various
perpetrators have been identified as tribals who are animal hunters. crops can be grown in one or the model acts with active involvement
Both cases show certain disturbing similarities. In Andhra Pradesh, the animal rights other region. Yet the country of NITI Aayog VIZ., Land leasing
activists have pointed their fingers at the village panchayat officials for ordering the disposal continues to rely on importing act 2016, APLM act 2017, Contract
of the stray dogs which were overrunning the village. edible oils, pulses and even farming act 2018 among others to
In Karnataka, the monkeys were trapped and being transported away, allegedly at the perishable fruits and vegetables as help and guide states in need of
behest of villagers fed up with the monkey menace to their crops. reforms and key interventions of model framework to legislate and
While instances of cruelty meted out to animals regularly make their way to news the post green revolution era applies for some of other mandated impetus for regional crop planning regulate agri-business.
headlines, these have generally been isolated cases involving individuals or small groups. bypassed them. crops against their increased and nativity based cropping pattern For better marketing of farm
In contrast, the recent incidents in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka are a 'commissioned' Needless to say that for farmers' production. Compared to 2019-20, / agriculture so as to better leverage produce there has been active
crime. The one, by concerned village officials, and the other by irate villagers. welfare and rural prosperity, the there is 20 per cent increase in local scarce resources, mitigate promotion to establish 10,000
The scale and planning involved in these 'organised' pogroms, raises concerns and agricultural sector requires number of beneficiary farmers climate change effects and FPOS and for augmenting
questions. The man-animal conflict over dwindling habitats is no longer about 'wild' animals disruptive breakthroughs to resolve under procurement operations in associated natural disasters. marketing infrastructure in 22,000
like leopards, tigers, and elephants alone, but has expanded to include domesticated structural issues afflicting the the RMS (Rabi Marketing Season) Promoting one district one crop, Gramin Haats through agri-market
species and species that have acclimatised to urban surroundings, which are home to sector rather than short term fixes. 2020-21. It is pertinent to note that National Gokul mission, infrastructure fund, which is
humans. So, how big a problem is the issue of cruelty to animals? Is it a problem in the After 2014, the government has Punjab and Haryana together Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, directly made available to the
making? While the Central government does not maintain records of crimes against rekindled several reforms which contribute Rs 87,690 crore worth of Safron park, Attracting Youth for APMCS. Also the government is
animals, the Animal Welfare Board of India compiles data on complaints on reported cruelty has unleashed the potential of the Paddy and Wheat to the central Agriculture (ARYA) and FPOS, are actively considering the
to animals. Compared to 155 cases that were reported in 2014-15, the numbers grew to agriculture sector and has put it on pool in 2020-21. Though the MSP few such schemes in the line of performance based grants of Rs
228, 256 and 225 respectively in the next three years. Following a comparative lull in 2018- a transformative path. (A tax payer's money) was earlier nativity concept. Initiatives like soil 45,000 crore for state actively
19 when 144 cases were reported, the numbers grew to 300 in 2019-20, 383 in 2020-21, Tracing the reforms paid in the accounts of Arhatiyas, health card, Neem coated urea, implementing agriculture reforms
and stood at 210 in the first seven months of 2021-22. The interventions brought in by commission agents and other DBT in fertilizer and Nano liquid as they directly affect more than 50
The above figures may just be the proverbial volcano's tip, and not exactly reflect the the present regime in the last seven intermediaries, now DBT is made urea are key initiatives to promote per cent of the population.
ground realities because it is a given that every case of animal cruelty is not recorded. years were consciously driven to mandatory (from Rabi season balanced use and efficiency of In the past seven years the
Secondly, these are just a number of cases filed, and do not detail the numbers of animals shift from production centric to 2020-21) thus enabling direct fertilizers maintaining soil health. government aptly recognized the
subjected to cruelty. Take for instance, the case of the 300 dogs killed in Andhra Pradesh, income improvement tailored to transfer to farmers themselves. Income support and safety net growth of allied sector viz.,
or that of the 60 monkeys in Karnataka. suit farmer's needs. Broadly the Apart from more than 40 per cent The Budget allocation and horticulture, and dairy, fishery
A sharp rise in such incidents can be noticed over the last two years, which incidentally reforms fall in the area of price, increase in MSP of most of the expenditure of agriculture ministry which showed 4-10 per cent
corresponds to the emergence of the covid pandemic. Of late, a number of animal cruelty markets integration, income, safety crops during last seven years, there in the last seven years saw annual growth. They were largely
cases have been initiated on the basis of videos trending on social media. It raises the net and sustainable inclusive has been an increased allocation considerable increase from nearly managed and ventured by small
question of whether remaining cooped up indefinitely in homes, is taking a silent toll on growth. On the price, support under price stabilization fund TOP Rs 27,040 crore in 2013-14 to Rs and marginal communities and
human sensitivities, leading to acts of cruelty on innocent animals. While it certainly does regime has been scaled up (Tomato Onion Potato) to TOTAL 1,31,531 crore in 2021-22. To bring involving these communities with
not justify such inhumane acts, the Covid fallout is definitely not to be ignored. significantly and farmers are (covering all perishable) schemes, farmers under social safety net, a the government support system
The abysmally low penalties and punishments laid out in the law, are also a factor fuelling presently paid at least 1.5 times the Operation Greens, PM-AASHA pension scheme-PM- Kisan-Maan- and launching new intervention is
acts of cruelty against animals. For instance, a Rs 50 fine is the highest penalty for a first cost of production under price besides enabling seamless Dhan is also in place along with the hallmark of inclusive growth.
offence under The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. support scheme for the principal connectivity through Kisan rail and income security of PM-KISAN at Reforms brought in the last
"Dogs are poisoned, cows have been burned with acid, and countless other animals crops. The amount paid to the Krishi Udaan. These initiatives the same time empowering them seven years aptly stand
across India are abused every day -- and the current penalties are often not enough to deter farmers under the MSP regime has have immensely contributed in with PM-KUSUM. Budget 2021- undiminished and aid in rural
people who want to harm them," states PETA India in its online campaign that demands a seen a sharp increase in the last ensuring fair and equitable 22 saw an increase in allocation in prosperity and poverty reduction.
relook at the outdated deterrents for cruelty against animals. seven years. From 2013-14 to remuneration to the farmers. most of the key interventions that Besides, the reform marked the
A population explosion caused by lack of systematic birth control mechanisms for these 2020-21, the amount paid saw 121 Further, apart from having better enhance farmer's welfare and to beginning of the agriculture sector
species, is cited as the major factor behind this emerging problem. In India, kill rather than per cent increase for wheat, 170 per price realization agenda, the create durable assets. from being subsidy led to
birth control, is the convenient mantra for civic officials tasked with maintaining hygiene in cent for rice, for pulses and cotton, present price policies also Notwithstanding the arguments on investment driven, consumer
our villages, towns, and cities. For them, the costs of finishing off the problem works out the amount raised from merely Rs encompass mandates of boosting the amount paid under PM- oriented to producer concerned,
cheaper than sterilisation the dumb animals. Animal rights' activists on the other hand call 236 crore and Rs 90 crore in 2013- nutritional outcomes and crop KISAN, it is to be amongst small and supply oriented to demand
for sterilisation programmes for these creatures as the solution, in the long run. 14 to Rs 4,361 crore and Rs 28,760 diversification. Accordingly, the and marginal farmers. driven by networking individual
For now, even as the ball keeps getting lobbed from one quarter to the other, there's no crore, respectively. There is an MSP for nutri-cereals have been In addition, the historic move of farms with factories and foreign
doubt that the problem has to be resolved -- sooner rather than later. For all the problems increase of about 63.38 per cent increased substantially to promote amending essential commodities markets, eventually shift is from
that semi-domestic stray animals like dogs, cats and even monkeys cause, they do come and 55.40 per cent of wheat and cultivation of these crops and also act and bringing new legislation of business as usual to an innovation-
with some benefits. For instance stray dogs and cats, play an important role as natural rice procurement to the central pool commercially release various bi- Farmers' Produce Trade and centered system.
scavengers that keep rodents and disease at bay. in the last seven years against their fortified crops as suggested by M.S Commerce, and agreement on (Shobha Karandlaje is Union
Eliminating them totally means inviting new problems, apart from the ethical issues production increase of 13.89 and Swaminathan commission. In Price Assurance and Farm Services Minister of State for Agriculture
involved in such flagrant vigilante responses. The man-animal conflict certainly seems to 13.45 per cent, respectively. The addition the efforts are in place to acts 2020 is expected to bring a and Farmers Welfare Views
have come closer home, possibly, a bit too close for comfort. same procurement trend also recognize and give necessary tectonic shift in agriculture from expressed are personal)
How wars are created on TV

Markets at new highs may lead to increased volatility channels to boost rating
By Saeed Naqvi "Humanitarian of the Year" by the National
By Arun Kejriwal case of one issue, Exxaro Tiles, the The third issue is from Aptus Value Rifle Association. The delicious irony, in this
I
retail subscription alone was more Housing Finance Limited which is
M
than 4.3 times the total subscription tapping the capital markets with a have been holding my sides watching two vein permeates the body not only of Canadian
arkets were on a roll and Bacon but numerous satirical films.
they finally broke out of received from QIB's, HNI's, and fresh issue of Rs 500 crore and an offer films, back-to-back, to dispel the Corona
the resistance zone last Employees. Retail investors bid for for sale of 6.46 lakh shares in a price blues. There is an abiding moral in both. Will Bollywood ever have the courage to
week. Not only did they break out, but 21.10 crore shares and there were band of Rs 346-353. Good company, In Michael Moore's Canadian Bacon, the US mount such satire on the establishment? I
they did it in style. BSESENSEX 14.51 lakh applications while the total niche market and business but asking President builds up a war with Canada because suppose it is insensitive to ask such a question
gained a massive 1,690.88 points or bids were for 25.96 crore shares. The for a valuation of price to book of an his ratings in peace time are plummeting after the when a new Bill for double distilled censorship
3.22 per cent to close at 54,277.72 company had tapped the capital unheard of 8.41-8.58 times. This is Soviet threat melted away in 1990-91. Peace is being scripted.
points while NIFTY gained 475.15 markets with its fresh issue and offer opening and closing during the week based on the NAV of the company as destroys the business of his friend Hacker, an An overriding reason why such audacity
points or 3.01 per cent to close at for sale totalling Rs 161 crore. The ahead. Two of these would open on of 31st March 2021 of Rs 41.12. arms manufacturer. cannot be on show here is because we are
16,238.20 points. The broader market issue garnered response of over Rs Monday and close on Wednesday Clearly merchant bankers and exiting The other movie, Wag the Dog, has spin primarily a feudal people: irreverence is alien to
saw BSE100, BSE200 and BSE500 3,100 crore. while the other two would open on PE investors are thinking that markets doctor Robert de Niro and filmmaker played by our ethos. We have our parochial humour, but
gain 2.75 per cent, 2.43 per cent and The second issue was from Devyani Tuesday and close on Thursday. There will accept just any valuations. They Dustin Hoffman, collaborate, to salvage the cannot laugh at authority. Iconography comes
2.16 per cent respectively. International Limited which had are two distinct features attached to are right that the issue will get election campaign of a Bill Clinton look-alike, easy to us. We cannot satirize 'Mai Baap'. Some
BSEMIDCAP was up 0.51 per cent tapped markets with its fresh issue of these issues which are the last of the subscribed, but that is just one small caught in a sex scandal two weeks before voting. youthful standup comedians are trying but not
while BSESMALLCAP was up 0.07 Rs 440 crore and an offer for sale of lot from this maddening pace of IPO part of the story. What about the life of The duet create a national hysteria about a war without incurring the wrath of the cultural
per cent. In just supporting the gains 15.53 crore shares. The issue was rush. The first is the size of these the company post listing? with Albania even though there is no war. It takes constabulary.
mentioned above, there were no subscribed 116.71 times with there issues where they range from 3,000 The final issue is from Chemplast place entirely on TV channels. The De Niro- The baby must not be thrown out with the
sectoral losers in the indices. While the being 38.40 lakh applications. The crore to 5,000 crore. The second is the Sanmar Limited who had delisted the Hoffman team has made the media eat out of bathwater. Indian cinema has after all set high
top sectoral gainer was BSEBANKEX issue received support for roughly Rs fact that each of these issues has an company in 2012/13 and caused their hands. The 72 days bombing of Serbia standards in portraying social reality. This was
which gained 3.93 per cent the one to 1.19 lakh crore including anchor issue which is to be separately tremendous losses to investors. This under Clinton's watch and the carving out of particularly true during the early days of Indian
gain the least was BSECAP GOODS allocation. understood and is important. Compare company is now coming back with a Kosovo with its large Albanian population cinema. Penury inflicted on a peasant (Balraj
which gained a mere 0.47 per cent. The third issue was from Krsnaa this with the last four issues where all reorganised, restructured company but created a certain familiarity with Albania which Sahni) deprived of his patch of land for a
BSESENSEX made a new lifetime Diagnostics Limited which had tapped four put together were about Rs 3,600 basically the same business and asking otherwise would be totally unknown. factory, is the theme of Bimal Roy' s classic Do
high of 54,717.24 points while the markets with a fresh issue of Rs 400 -3,700 crore in size. investors to pay Rs 530-541. The In Canadian Bacon an attempt is also made by Bigha Zameen. In fact, as early as the late 40s,
closing high was 54,492.84 points. crore and an offer for sale of 85.25 The first issue is from Nuvoco company has a negative net worth and the President's men to persuade Russian Chetan Anand's Neecha Nagar has the landlord
NIFTY similarly made a closing high lakh shares. The issue was subscribed Vistas Corporation Limited, from the the object of the issue is to repay the President named Vladimir Kruschkin to start a divert sewage water towards the township
of 16,294.6 points while the intraday 64.40 times and received subscription house of Nirma, which is raising a PE investor who had invested in the mutually beneficial Cold War. A Cold War with below to enhance the value of his land on high
high was 16,349.45 points. of over Rs 44,000 crore. There were fresh issue of Rs 1,500 crore and an holding company with lots of Russia would help boost the arms industry. ground. The film was made 60 years before
Incidentally, all these highs were made over 21 lakh applications. offer for sale of Rs 3,500 crore. The conditions. While the issue will Kruschkin takes the sensible decision: he refuses Roman Polanski's Chinatown focused on the
on Thursday the 5th of August as The fourth and final issue was from price band is Rs 560-570. The subscribe because of the momentum, to initiate a Cold War. water wars in California, including in Los
markets were weak on Friday and lost Windlas Biotech Limited which had company is a cement producer and is there is bad taste in the mouth with the The media is central to Canadian Bacon. Angeles.
ground.The Indian Rupee gained 25 tapped the markets with its fresh issue the 5th largest producer in India and way the promoters treated minority When the Commander of US forces, itching for Japanese maestro Akira Kurosawa' s remark
paisa or 0.34 per cent to close at Rs of Rs 165 crs and an offer for sale of the largest in Eastern India with 22.34 shareholders. Apply with caution. action, gets ready to invade, the National was on Satyajit Ray's social realism. "Those
74.16 to the US Dollar. Dow Jones 51.42 lakh shares. The company million tons. The company has The markets will remain volatile Security Advisor intervenes. Military action with who have not seen Ray, have not seen the sun."
gained 273.04 points or 0.78 per cent garnered subscription of over Rs 6,500 reported losses for two of the last three considering that they are trading in a weak country would end in a day. A huge Even though I have a sense of the reality, I
to close at 35,208.51 points. This crore and was subscribed 22 times. years on account of integration and new territory. While we have made quarrel with Canada has to be dragged on for a was astonished nevertheless at the way Indian
incidentally was a new lifetime high The issue received 21 lakh merger issues. Going forward the issue new highs and are likely to move up reasonable period, giving enough time for the theatre or cinema ignored Enron, a scandal
closing and the intraday high recorded applications in all. would be addressed. However, at this further, there would be sharp American people to be mobilized. The which had its centre of gravity in Maharashtra,
was at 35,247 points. These four issues clearly point of time there is no EPS or PE. retracements as well. Looking at the President's ratings would then skyrocket. The home to Bollywood. There was an uproar, with
Dow and Indian indices currently demonstrate the ability of retail The second issue is from Car Trade euphoria in the primary market is channels, with an eye on their own ratings, serve the Shiv Sena and the BJP taking the lead. The
are at new highs and it seems the investors applying for every issue Tech Limited which is the only car making me have goosebumps, a the national purpose by saturating the media opposition to the deal was over high electricity
momentum is just picking up at least irrespective of fundamentals or platform making profits. The offer for feeling that I have not had in many space with war drums and startling revelations. tariffs beyond the reach of the poor. It collapsed.
in India. business.The issue from Glenmark sale is for 55,59,664 equity shares in a many years. Not sure what the Canada now has a nuclear bomb directed at Enron, facing a host of other problems, declared
RBI at its policy review meet held Lifesciences Limited which had price band of Rs 1,585-1,618. Though outcome of this would be but it America, an anchor announces, emoting with bankruptcy. The CEO, Kenneth Lay, friend of
between the 4th to 6th of August, received a record 39.5 lac applications the company reported a net profit of certainly cannot be a nice feeling. suitable anger. George W Bush, died a broken man.
decided to keep key interest rates and was subscribed over 45 times, Rs 101.1 crore of which there was an Allotment in primary markets is only A charged-up Sheriff of Niagra county, Bud Lucy Prebble wrote a superb play, Enron,
unchanged with a 5-1 vote. The stand listed and had a poor outing. Shares entry of Rs 63.9 crore which would be by way of lottery but post these four Boomer, distributes guns to an equally frenzied which ran to packed houses at the Noel Coward
would be to keep policy as were issued at the top end of the price a one-off adjustment on account of issues listing, I would not be surprised beer drinking clientele in the crowded bar, all theatre in London. Reception to the play at its
accommodative. RBI has reduced the band of Rs 695-720, and debuted at Rs deferred tax. On an adjusted basis the that the euphoria and the craze to riveted on TV which is focused relentlessly on Broadway premiere in 2010 was tepid. The
GDP forecast for FY2021-2022 to 9.5 751 and Rs 750 on the two exchanges. profit would be Rs 37.2 crore. The apply takes a massive hit. the Canadian enemy.Boomer's girlfriend, Honey Corporate World smarting under the Lehman
per cent from the earlier 10.5 per cent. After having a tough day at the EPS as mentioned by the company on Use sharp rallies to book profits and who is also his well-armed Deputy Sherriff, will Brothers collapse did not accord the show much
In the week gone by the primary bourses, they managed to close at Rs diluted basis is Rs 19.6 against Rs 5.1 equally sharp dips to buy only large not wait for Washington to announce action. She encouragement. Even though earlier David
markets saw four issues opening on 748.20, a gain of Rs 28.20 or 3.92 per in the previous year. This would get cap stocks. Trade cautiously and has ideas of her own. To cut the story short, Hare's "Stuff Happens" actually mimicked Dick
Wednesday and closing on Friday. All cent. This is certainly a very poor adjusted to Rs 8. This means the PE choose what you apply in primary Honey climbs the pinnacle of the Toronto tower Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld and Condoleezza
the four issues were very well received performance from the company and for the company is a staggering 200 markets. to hunt out secret codes designed to fire missiles Rice for manufacturing the Iraq war.
and oversubscribed. The driving force has belied expectations. times. Great business, brilliant future (Arun Kejriwal is the founder of aimed at America. The last scenes of the film (Saeed Naqvi is a senior commentator on
behind the success of issues is the Shares of Rolex Rings would list on and certainly market euphoria gives Kejriwal Research and Investment show her firing automatic weapons in all political and diplomatic issues. The views
response from retail investors which is Monday the 9th of August. the stock a grey market premium as Services. The views expressed are directions. She earns for herself high praise in expressed are personal. He can be reached
becoming scary. So much so that in the The week has four more issues well. personal) the ending montage: she is named the on saeednaqvi@hotmail.com)
EDIT
THE ASIAN AGE | TUESDAY | 10 AUGUST 2021 | NEW DELHI
pg 5
10 AUGUST 2021
Games were compelling Subhani

despite Covid-19 threat
A
n understated Olympics held in the shadow of a globally debili-
tating virus came to a memorable climax in a colourfully modern
closing ceremony. For all its flaws and its strict Covid protocols,
the conduct of the Games was a tribute to the human spirit that
refused to surrender to fatalism as athletes from 206 nations gathered for
a fortnight in one of the most densely populated cities of the world. The
positivity rate from Olympic Games testing was just 0.02 per cent but very
few unlucky athletes were denied an opportunity to compete because they
picked up the virus in Tokyo. The Games, often derided as a commer-
cialised celebration of universal humanity, did well to show the path to
living with the pandemic while coping with the siege mentality that has
beset billions around the world.
India placed 48th with a record haul of seven medals and 33rd in terms of
overall medals won but when seen on a per population basis it would have
to be rated as the lowest. That it led to euphoria was due mostly to a his-
toric gold medal won in track & field. This should set us thinking about
whether national self-worth is to be measured
in terms of Olympic medal-winning ability. If
Retro tax scrapping will LETTERS

India placed 48th you left it to the politicians, they would gladly
with a record haul embrace anything that would make them look
of seven medals good, even if they only bask in reflected glory.
and 33rd in terms of As a country that is regularly handing out food CENTRE IS IN DENIAL
grains free to 80 crore people, who constitute
overall medals won nearly 60 per cent of the population, we tend to
but when seen on a make a virtue out of necessity though it damns
per population basis us as a nation incapable of lifting its people out
it would have to be of dire poverty. India’s sports budget was
reduced by 8 per cent to `2,596.14 crore in the
rated as the lowest. Union budget for 2021-22.
Sport is crucial to the health and well-being of
not lead to spurt in FDI Ms Sitharaman did say on the market, and the
The Central government
appears to be in denial
mode. First, on the floor
of Parliament, it has actu-
youth and it is no shame that governments should back sportspeople with that by removing the ret- Indian authorities ally declared that no
infrastructure, access to training programmes and incentives. The rospective tax provision, demanded capital gains death has occurred due
Olympics may have shown national overreach as in state-sponsored dop- Parsa Venkateshwar the BJP was fulfilling its tax, and confiscated to a shortage of oxygen
Rao Jr
ing in an ambivalent light with Russia excluded and still ROC athletes promise of not making Cairn’s shares. Here too,
won 20 gold medals. The USA, which pipped China 39-38 in the gold, fea- unfair and arbitrary tax the government had lost during the second wave
tured its free enterprise and societal backing against China’s overt State demands. But the Modi the arbitration battle, and of the Covid-19 pandem-
support for sport. India would have to prime up its hybrid system where government seems to it has been asked to pay
the greater sporting expertise of athletes and coaches, many of whom are have spent large amounts back the shares of Cairn ic. And now it has taken
foreigners, is recognised as the route to higher performance and they have of money just to score a Energy that it had confis- the stance that no com-
T
to be backed by government resources, as indeed it was in the case of the here has been a September 2010. Voda- brownie point against the cated and sold, the divi- mittee was ever constitut-
Subedar from the Indian Army, Neeraj Chopra, who was free to train as he sigh of relief fone appealed to the Congress government as dend it had confiscated,
wished while India sponsored him and his javelins. A handful of athletes and a sense of Supreme Court. The the international arbitra- and the tax refunds it had ed to oversee the supply
have made us proud and it is best that we recognise their sacrifices and exultation as Supreme Court refused to tor in Singapore had withheld. The govern- of oxygen during the
their efforts rather than try to own them. finance minis- stay the high court order ruled that India should ment has agreed to pay
ter Nirmala Sitharaman and asked Vodafone to share the costs with Cairn Energy `7,900 Covid-19 second wave. Its
had moved the Taxation deposit `2,500 crores and Vodafone. The govern- crores. admission in the Supreme
Laws (Amendment) Bill a bank guarantee of `8,500 ment went in appeal The problem of retro-
Bleak scenario despite Gogra 2021 and the Lok Sabha
had passed it. Everyone
felt that it was curtains at
crores before it could
hear the case.
The case was heard in
against the arbitration,
and Ms Sitharaman said
that the government was
spective taxation will not
really end with the new
amendment because the
Court that it “misread” an
RTI query is quite revela-
tory. However, by using
T
he Indian announcement of the Chinese forces disengaging from the last for what is consid- late 2010 and the judg- contesting the issue of the generally accepted princi-
Gogra Post in Eastern Ladakh, one among the cluster of five “friction ered Pranab Mukherjee’s ment was delivered on sovereign right of the ple behind the retrospec- such obfuscation tactics,
points”, on August 6 after the twelfth round of military talks held on policy folly as finance January 20, 2012. It ruled State to tax. Around the tive tax is that a transac- it cannot paper over the
July 31, seems a minor step in a process whose ending is not easy to see. minister in 2012, before he that Vodafone was not same the Indian govern- tion is carried out in a
We will be remiss if we fail to observe the obvious — that the Chinese, became President in July liable to pay the capital ment was making the tax third country with the sad fact that it has com-
even when they agree to disengage, leave a snag behind. At Gogra also, of that year. As Pranab gains tax as the transac- demands, Vodafone had intention of tax evasion. pletely failed the people
they have pulled back from India’s Patrolling Point (PP) 15 on the Line of Mukherjee went to tion took place in foreign paid the British tax The explanation that of the country.
Actual Control. However, under the terms, there will now be a buffer zone. Rashtrapati Bhavan, Pal- territory involving for- authorities 1.2 billion Vodafone offered to the
This simply means that Indian patrols cannot go right up to the LAC, aniappan Chidambaram eign companies. The pounds sterling when British tax authorities is Deepak Singhal
which they were earlier doing. went back as finance min- lawyer for Vodafone media reports showed the that by investing the prof- Noida
Exactly the same thing had happened on the ister, and he did not really argued that there was no company had evaded tax its in Luxembourg it has
Indian patrols can- North Bank of the Pangong Lake where, before
not push eastward the Chinese incursion of April-May 2020,
hide his displeasure at
Mukherjee’s stint at the
intention to evade tax
through the transaction.
on 6 billion pounds when
the company had invest-
increased the dividends
of British shareholders
SARLA’S FLIGHT
of the Chinese Indian forces could patrol all the way east to finance ministry. But as The amendment came on ed profits in Luxembourg and this is not tax eva- SUNDAY, AUGUST 8, was the birth
member of the Congress February 1, 2012. in 2000 and in 2009 earned sion. Vodafone is indeed
claim Line of 7 Finger 8, which is on the LAC. But now on Mukherjee in his reply to 6 billion pounds. But the skating on thin ice. The
anniversary of Sarla Thukral,
China’s insistence on negotiations, the Indian Party and of the Manm- India’s first woman pilot. Twice
November, 1959. side has agreed to a no-go zone that is about ohan Singh government the discussion on the matter was settled in 2010 shareholders’ interests married and with two daughters,
Here too India will eight kilometers long. Effectively, this means he could not have openly Budget in the Lok Sabha when a man, John cannot be used as a cover Thukral died in 2008 at the age of 93.
now be prevented that the Indian patrols cannot push eastward of criticised his predecessor in March 2012 had Connors, working for the of tax evasion per se. Born in 1914, Sarla Thukral went on
from going up to its the Chinese claim Line of 7 November, 1959. though he let out enough explained that India was revenue and customs in Governments anywhere, to become a businesswoman and a
hints of it to the media. not a tax haven nor was it the British government, including those in India,
own LAC. Here too India will now be prevented from
going up to its own LAC. Mukherjee’s amend- a tax-free country. He had joined Vodafone and will be forced to reckon
designer of clothes and costume jew-
ellery, and got her aviation pilot’s
This is a repeat of the story of the so-called ‘Y ment was specifically clarified that he had noth- sealed the compromise. with transnational trans- licence in 1936, encouraged by her
Junction’ in the Depsang Plains, which is further up north. Here, Chinese used against Vodafone ing personal against The National Audit actions which will free pilot husband, Captain P.D. Sharma,
troops block Indian patrols from visiting PP 10-13. The Indians shrug this which purchased 67 per Vodafone. The BJP Office approved the deal corporations from paying who sadly passed away in 1939. She
off, saying this is a “legacy” issue from 2013. However, on the website of cent of the shares in the pounced on Mukherjee’s in its report to the parlia- taxes in a host country. could not continue with her career.
the government-supported Vivekananda International Foundation, Lt mobile services firm amendment as being mentary committee say- The government cannot Google has honoured her with a doo-
Gen (retd) Rakesh Sharma, a former head of the 14th Corps, noted in April Hutch-Essar from Hong unreasonable and unfair. ing that the government turn away from this cor- dle on her 107th birthday.
that between 2013-19, Indian forces went beyond the ‘Y’ Junction “a mini- Kong’s Hutchison A highly placed economic would have lost money if porate sleight-of-hand. Md Yousuf Kamal
mum of eight to ten patrols per year”. So, why are Indian negotiators cav- Whampoa in the Cayman pundit in the Manmohan it had pursued litigation. The recent consensus Muzaffarpur, Bihar
ing in now? Islands, a tax haven, Singh government at the Vodafone’s head argued on the global minimum
While what can only be called qualified disengagement on account of cre-
ating a buffer zone has occurred in Gogra (PP 17A), the Chinese so far have
through an intermediate
company. The tax depart-
time did not think the tax
demand made on
that the company did not
invest its profits in
corporate tax of 15 per
cent that was reached at IGNORING SAVINGS
refused to budge from Hot Springs (PP 15), which is practically a twin of ment issued a showcause Vodafone was not right, Luxembourg to evade the G-7 summit a few HOUSEHOLD SAVINGS are an
Gogra. So far, there is qualified disengagement in Pangong and Gogra, a notice to Vodafone. but he said the timing taxes, but it was intended months ago can perhaps important source of finance for virtu-
fuller one in Galwan where the Chinese have stepped back to their “per- Vodafone appealed in the was wrong and that it to give greater dividends be seen as a solution ally all developing economies. Japan
manent” location, but for Depsang in the north, and Demchok in the south, Bombay high court and sent out the wrong mes- to shareholders in because it is intended to was a top nation of savers but now it
where China’s Tibet and Xinjiang military regions meet, China has enter- the appeal was rejected in sage. The Narendra Modi Britain, which included marginalise tax havens has an ageing population that can
tained no talks. Altogether a bleak scenario 16 months on. December 2008. The government took seven pensioners. by making some tax pay- only consume, not earn. Our popula-
Supreme Court rejected years to move the amend- The other case is that of ment mandatory. India tion is still young and yet our gross
Vodafone’s appeal ment to annul the retro- Cairn Energy, which has nodded its acquies- savings rate is barely above that of
against the high court in spective tax amendment. transferred its shares to cence to the new tax Japan, at 29 per cent. China is at 44 per
January 2009 and asked Finance minister Cairn India before listing arrangement, though it cent. The United States is at a low of 19
the income-tax depart- Nirmala Sitharaman will take a long time per cent, but an American can afford
ment to determine if it would perhaps explain before it is formalised and not to save due to that nation’s robust
had jurisdiction over the that the Modi govern- Governments any- legislated in every coun- social security, state aid, insurance
THE ASIAN AGE overseas transaction and ment did not move the where, including try. But to think that and health coverage. Aiming for a $5
said that Vodafone could amendment to the retro- those in India, will removing retrospective trillion economy, we seem to be least
KAUSHIK MITTER K. SUDHAKAR challenge the income-tax spective tax amendment be forced to reckon taxation will bring in concerned about our very fragile
Editor Printer & Publisher
department’s decision. as it wanted it to be greater foreign invest- social security net. The Covid-19 pan-
The I-T department said proved how wrong the with transnational ment into India is eco- demic has left us a grave warning.
THE ASIAN AGE office is located at:
New Delhi: Jawaharlal Nehru National Youth Centre, 219 Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, New Delhi-110002. Phone: in May 2010 that it had Mukherjee move was in transactions which nomic naivete of the sub- R. Narayanan
(011) 23211124. jurisdiction. Vodafone terms of legality. This will free corpora- lime kind. Navi Mumbai
Published and Printed on behalf of and for
◗ Deccan Chronicle Holdings Limited, Jawaharlal Nehru National Youth Centre, 219 Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg,
challenged it in the was described as a legacy tions from paying Every Monday the best letter of
Bombay high court. issue, and it wanted the The writer is a Delhi-
New Delhi 110 002 at BFL Infotech Ltd., C-9, Sector-III, Noida -201301.
The high court rejected law to run its course. And taxes in a based commentator the week wins `500. Email:
◗ London: Quickmarsh Ltd, 8th Floor, Block 2, Elizabeth House, 39 York Road, London, SE1 7NQ.
RNI Registration number: 57290/94 Vodafone’s plea in like a good BJP minister, host country. and analyst asianage.letters@gmail.com.
T
he Narendra Modi government to make good ground on all three issues February 2020 Delhi pogrom was the Bangladesh went ahead of us at $2,227, asked for FIRs to be filed against BJP
began its second term with a the party was campaigning on for reaction to this failure. or `1.65 lakh per person per year, with leaders Kapil Mishra and Anurag
mandate for change. The NDA decades. The next month, the BJP said At this point, however, the spirit of India at $1,947 or `1.45 lakh. We will Thakur for the Delhi riots was trans-
won more seats, more votes in it would implement its manifesto implementing the mandate was still remain behind Bangladesh from here ferred the same night as he passed the
2019 than in 2014 and its performance promise on citizenship. Under the sec- strong. The farm ordinances came in on till something changes. order. But unfortunately judges can’t
was endorsed by the electorate to the tion named “Combating Infiltration”, June 2020, and the government and its The judiciary helped Narendra Modi help on the economy’s decline, on the
extent that’s possible in a first-past-the- the 2019 BJP manifesto reads: “There allies did not anticipate that the laws out on the farm laws and put them in lack of jobs and on inflation. The price
Aakar Patel post system like ours. has been a huge change in the cultural would be resisted. Even the major
Punjab party in the NDA, the Akali
cold storage after asking an expert com-
mittee for its views in a “sealed cover”
of petrol is over `100/litre.
The nation is restless, but this rest-
This mandate for implementing its and linguistic identity of some areas
ideology was acted on immediately. due to illegal immigration, resulting in Dal, remained in the Cabinet when the and not releasing the findings. The gov- lessness hasn’t found proper political
The Supreme Court had invalidated an adverse impact on local people’s ordinances were passed and only left ernment itself violated the farm laws expression. NDA ally Nitish Kumar is
triple talaq in August 2017 and said it livelihood and employment. We will the government when it became clear by reversing the Essential Commod- asking for a caste census, which the
was unconstitutional. But the BJP expeditiously complete the National that the farmers were extremely angry. ities Act, but the farmers have been left government has declined (India’s enti-
decided it must be acted on and in July Register of Citizens process in these The space between the writing of the on the road as the Centre has moved on tlements are still distributed on the
Does Modi govt 2019 the practice, which was already

declared unlawful, was now crimi-
nalised. Implementation of a uniform
areas on priority. In future, we will
implement the NRC in a phased man-
ner in other parts of the country.”
farm ordinances and the laws being
passed in September was occupied by
the Covid-19 crisis and its first wave.
and doesn’t care about the farm laws
any longer. On other issues too, the suc-
cess hasn’t been as clear-cut as expect-
basis of a socio-economic census con-
ducted under Manmohan Singh a
decade ago). Abroad, the government
know what to do civil code was part of the BJP/Jan As the first part of this process, as The most significant aspects of this ed. Kashmir remains troubled and its lost its friends Donald Trump, Shinzo
Sangh agenda since the 1950s, and the described by Amit Shah through his period were the nationwide lockdown, jailed leaders did well in local polls. Abe and Benjamin Netanyahu. The for-
criminalisation of triple talaq was a famous chronology, the BJP passed the the migrant exodus out of west and China was angered by Ladakh’s status mer US leader left without being able to
victory in this sense. The next month, Citizenship Amendment Act. This law south India into the north and east, and change, and we saw the consequences conclude even a trade deal with his
to tackle 2020 & Article 370 was gutted in Jammu and

Kashmir and all its non-BJP politicians
were jailed indefinitely. This was the
would give asylum to non-Muslims
from neighbouring countries, while
the NRC would then come house to
the first economic recession for four
decades. The economic crisis was in
fact building progressively since the
of that.
The uniform civil code’s actual target
is polygamy, so the victory on triple
friend Narendra Modi. Mr Modi spent
much of his rightly earned political
capital in 2019. It’s not fully depleted,
talaq didn’t mean that much ultimate- but it’s hard to escape the feeling that
2021 problems?
second part of the BJP’s agenda, also house to weed out “infiltrators” and 2016 demonetisation but had not been
going back to the 1950s. Three months “termites”. The BJP didn’t anticipate recognised or spoken about in India. ly. The judiciary delivered on the tem- solving the problems of 2020 and 2021
later, the SC delivered the goods on the pushback from India’s Muslims But the outside world had noticed. In ple, and also on other issues by not will require something special which
Ayodhya and gave a judgment handing and the law, though passed, has still not 2014, India’s per capita GDP ($1,573) of hearing the habeas corpus pleas of at the moment is not on view.
the mosque property to the Hindu been implemented 20 months on. The `1.17 lakh was about 50 per cent ahead Kashmiris, not hearing the CAA’s
party in the dispute. NRC, which was a 2019 manifesto of Bangladesh’s ($1,118) or `83,000. At validity and not hearing the validity of The writer is a columnist
Within six months, Mr Modi was able promise, has also been shelved. The the end of the 2020-21 financial year, Article 370’s abrogation. The judge who and a senior journalist
4 EDIT DELHI TUESDAY 10 AUGUST 2021
R EMEMBERING THE
Environmental crisis is closer than we think UNFORGETTABLE
T he Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
of the United Nations, in its Sixth Assessment Re-
warming, the West Coast and Southern India are pro-
jected to new, high-temperature climate regimes with
teorological systems for weather forecasting and the
installation of flood warning systems can help people
KISHORE MANDALAPARTHI
port, has sounded the world a warning of a clear and

present danger due to climate change. Whether one
prefers to be a Trump or a Greta Thunburg, the danger
significant impacts on agriculture. With built-up ur-
ban areas rapidly becoming “heat-islands”, urban
planners will need to adopt measures to counteract
move out of harm’s way before a weather-related dis-
aster strikes.
Building codes will need to be enforced to ensure
h oW can a nation fail to remem-
ber repeatedly the unforget-
table bard who sang, 110 years ago,
is imminent. The next 20 years, the world will warm this effect. that homes and infrastructure are not at risk. evidence “A country doesn’t mean mere sand
up by 1.5 degrees celsius. Right now, it is 1.1 degrees A decline in monsoon rainfall since the 1950s has indicates that parts of South Asia have become drier and mud; but, the Nation, however,
celsius. already been observed. The frequency of heavy rainfall since the 1970s with an increase in the number of is its people with flesh and blood”?
The 2015 Paris climate agreement had fixed 1.5 de- events has also increased. A 2°C rise in the world’s av- droughts. Droughts have major consequences. In 1987 This alone is the reason why we find
grees Celsius as the goal to limit warming. Now we erage temperatures will make India’s summer mon- and 2002-2003, droughts affected more than half of monographs written, rewritten,
are looking at even reaching 2 degrees Celsius and soon highly unpredictable. At 4°C warming, an ex- India’s crop area and led to a huge fall in crop produc- viewed, reviewed, considered, revis-
may be more this century unless deep reductions in tremely wet monsoon that currently has a chance of tion. Droughts are expected to be more frequent in ited and illustrated with copious
carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions occurring only once in 100 years is projected to occur some areas, especially in North-Western India, Jhark- notes and illuminations of the very
occur in the coming decades. There are four points every 10 years by the end of the century. An abrupt hand, orissa and Chattisgarh. Crop yields will fall sig- same bard- G V Apparao (1862-1915), Gurajada Apparao
highlighted by the IPCC in its report: It is warming change in the monsoon could precipitate a major cri- nificantly because of extreme heat by the 2040s. Sounds popularly known by his surname Gurajada.
almost everywhere, it is warming rapidly, the warming sis, triggering more frequent droughts as well as more like a 'doom's day prediction'? Isn't it so? A dramatist, poet, short story writer, epigraphist and historiographer
reversed a long-term cooling and that it has been a greater flooding in large parts of India. Yes, it is, in reality. how distant is 2040 do you born in the 19th century and rewrote the literary and linguistic histories
long time since it has been this warm. What does this India’s northwest coast to the south eastern coastal think? Your children will be just adults by then. They of Telugu people in the 20th century, Gurajada is thus remembered in
mean for India? region could see higher than average rainfall. Dry may begin raising their families too. This is what we the 21st century by another polymath, Prof. Chandu Subbarao. Prof.
Well, we are already experiencing a warming cli- years are expected to be drier and wet years wetter. are giving our children in inheritance. Throw in for a Chandu, published 20 plus books in Telugu and english as well– some
mate. The unusual and unprecedented spells of hot So, what is to be done? The report suggested two pri- good measure drinking water shortages and drying of them were anthologies of short stories, some were novellas, some
weather are expected to occur far more frequently mary moves, one on the weather forecasting and the up rivers and flooding cities. Alas, we think we have make part of literary criticism, some were translations, some were writ-
and cover much larger areas. Under 4 degree Celsius other on building norms. Improvements in hydro-me- plans! ings on the Science and the Society while some were shared publications.
Prof. Chandu turned into a biographer with his recent publication,
an eponymous monograph, Gurajada, Father of Modern Telugu Liter-
ature, a thumbnail picture of the literary colossus. This 86-page mono-
Did AP Act authorise Centre to grab rivers? graph was written with the sole purpose of conveying the endeavour
and message of Gurajada to those readers who have little access to Tel-
ugu language and literature. The biographer focused on seven aspects
of the giant to register the life and work of Gurajada.
T
he Union Board has jurisdiction under sub-section Prof. Chandu presented the literary evolution of Gurajada in a plain
Government (1) over any project referred thereto, the yet interesting manner. In fact, Gurajada was initially trying his hand
has claimed same shall be referred to the Central at writing and publishing in the “Regal Dialect” of his times, english. It
that it has invoked Government for decision thereon. These was Sambhu Chandra Mukherjee (1839-94), the famed editor of the
powers under are the powers prescribed by Act 2014. reputed magazine “Reis and Rayyet” who republished one of Gurajada’s
Andhra Pradesh Re- But the Centre has issued taking over no- poems –Sarangadhara- strongly recommended to the young poet to
organisation Act tifications on 15th July 2021. write in his mother tongue. Gurajada honouring the wise words of the
2014 for taking over wizard took to produce literature in Telugu that was Modern to the
Madabhushi Krishna Godavari What is the meaning of taking over? core.
Sridhar rivers from both Seven years after the constitution of Prof. Chandu observed in this monograph that Gurajada’s classic of
Acharyulu Andhra Pradesh and River Boards, the Centre decided their a play Kanyashulkam was staged for the first time in 1892, which was
Telangana. Whether ‘jurisdiction’, which, according to them, quadrupled to its original size in just five years by 1897. While pro-
this Act gave such a huge power to Union means transferring of the operation of pelling-in verve and vigour into every character worth its name, Gura-
to deprive states of its rivers? Whether all projects including hydel generation. jada was creating the foremost modern classic of Telugu language and
Constitutional scheme of distribution of It is not just transferring the controls but literature, Prof. Chandu noted. And, then came Gurajada’s famed poems
powers will approve this kind of depri- entire asset- lock stock and barrel – being (in fact songs), ballads and short stories one after the other he said. his
vation of states? divested from Andhra Pradesh and write-ups and articles in different magazines stand as classics, he as-
AP Act enables the Union to constitute Telangana and vesting them in Union, Seven years after the constitution of River Boards, the Centre sumed.
two River Management Boards and de- through the nomenclature of River Man- What establishes Gurajada as an exceptional and exclusive literary
cide its jurisdiction. Section 84 provides agement Boards. decided their ‘ jurisdiction’, which, according to them, means personality was his unparalleled scholarship entwined with unmatched
for Apex Council for Godavari and Kr- The notification in the name of pre- transferring of the operation of all projects including hydel artistry, said Prof. Chandu. The biographer successfully established the
ishna River Water Resources and their scribing jurisdiction of the Krishna and historical significance of the yeoman service rendered by Gurajada to
Management Boards. Union Irrigation Godavari River Management Boards generation. It is not just transferring the controls but entire Modern Telugu with his minute of dissent, submitted to “The Telugu
Minister will be chairperson, while two (KRMB and GRMB), has usurped all the asset- lock stock and barrel – being divested from Andhra Composition Sub- committee” of Madras University.
CMS will be members. This was en- powers of the State Governments over This note of dissent, in fact, acted as the scientific basis for the only
trusted with duty to resolve any dispute all the irrigation projects (35 on Krishna Pradesh and Telangana and vesting them in Union, through thriving linguistic reform movement, that championed the cause of
amicably. basin and 71 on Godavari). The centre the nomenclature of River Management Boards. spoken telugu, Prof. Chandu rightly observed. To demonstrate the un-
Section 84(3) says: (i) supervision of has imposed all liabilities arising out of blemished usage of spoken Telugu dialect by elitists of yore, Gurajada
the functioning of the Godavari River functions on the States. The notification quoted them from the 13th Century “inscriptions” that referred to “Kav-
Management Board and Krishna River disqualifies the engineers and personnel mencement of this notification, liability Telangana let alone reallocation of ibrahma Tkkana” said Prof. Chandu.
Management Board; (ii) planning and ap- of two states from becoming chairman arising out of any of the present and fu- water in the section. The significance of Cetti eswara Rao’s matchless enterprise in saving,
proval of proposals for construction of or any functionary in the Boards, and em- ture cases filed in the Supreme Court, 3. Section 89 did not specify allocations editing, publishing and propagating the writings of Gurajada was ex-
new projects, if any, based on Godavari powers the Centre, to appoint its officers high Court, any other Court or Tribunal to projects, in general, and men- tolled by the biographer in this slender monograph. The influence of
or Krishna river water, after getting the only. The civil servants and top engineers in regard to the projects or components tioned allocations only to projects for Viresalingam over Gurajada and the constructive support rendered by
proposal appraised and recommended by will be the owners of Krishna and Go- specified in Schedule-2 shall be the re- which allocation were fixed by the Gidugu were properly represented in the monograph. In one word, this
the River Management Boards and by the davari as far as they flow in AP and Telan- sponsibility of the respective State Gov- earlier tribunals. monograph by Prof. Chandu Subbarao is complete in itself.
Central Water Commission, wherever re- gana, but do not own the parts of rivers ernments. 4. The allocations made on the basis of {GURAJADA, Father of Modern Telugu Literature, Prof. Chanu
quired; (iii) resolution of any dispute am- flowing in other states. It is not that approved projects, either water utilisations outside Krishna Subbarao, Samata P ublishers, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh}
icably arising out of the sharing of river completed or ongoing- are left to the basin were valid on historic grounds.
waters through negotiations and mutual States to pay states. They were also taken over and 5. Rayalaseema, which was outside the
agreement between the successor States;
(iv) reference of any disputes not covered
under Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal,
The states are directed to deposit
funds Rs 400 crore each to Boards as seed
money to enable them to discharge func-
brought under the ‘jurisdiction’ of rela-
tive River Management Boards.
Deciding jurisdiction or regulation
basin, was therefore entitled for Kr-
ishna water.
6. The two successor States (Andhra
For endangered
to a Tribunal to be constituted under the
Inter-State River Water Disputes Act,
1956 (33 of 1956).
tions effectively, and the states were told
to deposit required funds additionally
within 15 days of the demand by the
does not mean taking over the assets and
all controls depriving the riparian states
of their rights over the rivers running
Pradesh and Telangana) could only
share what was allocated to the un-
divided Andhra Pradesh, nothing
Sarus Crane, UP is
When this is the prescription, how can
Union take over the complete ownership
of two rivers and impose entire liabilities
boards. States have to give their money,
staff, assets, projects, operational powers
and control over all the projects in which
through their states. When states have
spent huge amount on various projects,
how can they deprive them of their prop-
more or nothing less.
7. The claim of Telangana state that
erstwhile Andhra Pradesh was di-
‘uttam’ for breeding
on two states? It is a clear violation of they invested lakhs of crores of rupees erty? If there is a dispute between two vided because of the inequitable and MRITYUNJOY KUMAR JHA
Parliamentary mandate through 2014 since long time. All powers to Centre and or three states, it is the duty of the Centre faulty allocation of water is not cor-
Act.
As per Section 85 the Boards were con-
stituted in 2014. These boards will be
all responsibilities or liabilities are thrust
on the heads of the states.
Two boards will have power to give any
to manage the affairs and see that dispute
is settled. But it cannot abdicate this con-
stitutional duty and own the rivers at the
rect. This reason that was stressed
repeatedly by Telangana in its peti-
tion to the Supreme Court was not
T he world’s tallest flying bird has
been getting a new lease of life in
the Indian state where it enjoys the sta-
chaired by Secretary or Additional Sec- directions to two states for maintenance cost of state’s autonomy and sovereignty. borne out from the statement or ob- tus of official state bird - Uttar Pradesh
retary of Government of India to be ap- of projects and states are supposed to When Centre was asked to manage, it has jectives and Reasons and the Salient (UP). Uttar Pradesh is known as a
pointed by Centre, and two members obey. The boards were given full author- chosen to damage. Features of the Bill. stronghold of the sarus crane, Indias
nominated by two states plus one expert ity to get their orders implemented. The The Andhra Pradesh welcomed this 8. The primary reason for the division only resident breeding crane.
nominated centre. Its member secretary notification further mandates: every- taking over. It means submitting their of the erstwhile state was to “fulfil The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has
will be Chief engineer rank officer to be thing in Plant, machinery equipment and sovereignty at the feet of Delhi. Telan- the political and democratic aspira- included this bird in its red list of threatened Species (also known as
appointed by Centre. Functions include stores, besides vehicles with all assets gana Government questioned this saying tions of the people of Telangana re- the IUCN Red List or Red Data Book). As per bird count data of 2018,
regulation of supply of water from the will go to KRMB and GRMB. If any ques- how can the Centre take over this with- gion,” and not inequitable sharing of there were only around 25,000 Sarus Cranes in the entire world, and
projects and implementation of awards. tion arises as to whether the KRMB or out reallocating the shares in the water water. significantly the birds in Uttar Pradesh make up more than half the
They have to make appraisal of proposals GRMB has jurisdiction, the decision of especially after a new state was born and Unfortunately, the tribunal, which is global population at around 14000.
of new projects. the Centre shall be final (Paragraph (o)); seeking the relook or re-distribution of hearing the dispute for the last 17 years, While scientists are "puzzled" how the species is thriving in the
Section 87 talks about the Jurisdiction The states should try to get approvals for water. has ruled that the water sharing between most populous state and is living in harmony with people. The farmers
of Board. It says: (1) The Board shall or- unapproved projects within six months. Justice Brijesh Kumar, chairman of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana states and villagers say that the bird Saras is entwined in the culture and
dinarily exercise jurisdiction on Go- Both the state governments shall stop all Krishna Water Tribunal, the term of would be finalised project wise from the mythology of the state. "They have been here for more than thousands
davari and Krishna rivers in regard to any the ongoing works on unapproved proj- which was extended did not agree with water allocations made to erstwhile of years. Sage Valmiki has references in his epic Ramayana. In Bud-
of the projects over headworks (barrages, ects as on the date of publication. If ap- the demand for the reallocation of water Andhra Pradesh state by earlier dhism, it's said that in Lumbini, Prince Sidharth Gautam of the king-
dams, reservoirs, regulating structures), provals are not secured within six shares in Krishna among four riparian Bachawat tribunal and will not consider dom of Kapilvastu, is supposed to have rescued a wounded crane and
part of canal network and transmission months, the projects shall cease to oper- states. In october 2016 the Tribunal the formation of a new state or equity to saved it from his cousin Devdatta. Driven by this spiritual link,
lines necessary to deliver water or power ate. headed by Justice Brijesh Kumar made it. Its serious injustice that should not be Lumbini has taken strides in protecting critical species and their farm
to the States concerned, as may be noti- All the unapproved projects will have certain crucial observations: perpetuated under the chairmanship of habitats.
fied by the Central Government, having to come to a grinding halt, even if it causes 1. Section 89 of the Reorganisation Act a former Judge. In modern day, Sarus Cranes hold a special relationship with the
regard to the awards, if any, made by the economic disaster to the state. But the does not lead to any such inference (The author is Dean & Professor, farmers of Lumbini as their presence in the paddy fields is believed
Tribunals constituted under the Inter- centre will not take any responsibility. or conclusion for fresh allocation School of Law, Mahindra University, to be indicative of healthy wetlands, a harbinger of good monsoon
State River Water Disputes Act, 1956. (2) Paragraph (g) says financial liability of amongst the four riparian States. Hyderabad, and former Central and good crops. Today the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Wildlife Trust
If any question arises as to whether the any contract before the date of com- 2. There was not even a mention of Information Commissioner) of India (WTI) with the help of the forest department successfully
runs a Sarus Crane Breeding Centre in Lumbini near Gorakhpur.
In UP, Sarus cranes are mainly found in south-west and central re-
LETTERS terpretations of holy texts ought not to
come in the way of such parity. The state
ger crimes, with whom the police find it
difficult to elicit information as they prove
Pitfalls of online learning gions, in Mainpuri, etawah, Aligarh, etah, Lakhimpur Kheri, Sitapur,
Shahjahanpur Barabanki and hardoi districts. The Sarus Crane Con-
Kerala HC means well

must be able to ensure that by overriding
mechanisations by various faiths existing
within the country.
hard nuts to crack. In such cases, it is in-
evitable that some amount of police meth-
ods are applied. But, sadly enough, the po-
D uring the pandemic, online schooling
came as a boon as the students could
complete their academic schedule. The
servation Project, run across 10 districts of the state by the Wildlife
Trust of India (WTI), in collaboration with Tata Trusts and with sup-
port from the UP Forest Department. The project works through local
T he Kerala high Court said all the

right things on last Friday when it ob-
served that ‘the marriage law in India
Dr George Jacob, Kochi lice often forget the physical and mental
parameters that the accused can take - as
a result some unfortunate incidents of
schools also did their best to shore up their
capacities. A sustained online schooling has
created a large number of issues which have
volunteers known as "Sarus Mitra" or Friends of the Sarus. Their ef-
forts have led to the rise in Sarus numbers in state.
While around 70% of the population of Sarus is found in UP, the
needs to be revamped, and that there Cops need to mend custodial death and suicide by alleged vic- telling effects on the students, teachers and rest are distributed in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, haryana,
should not be any difficulty in having a tims, who cannot endure and put up with the parents Many children are not in a posi- West Bengal and the north-eastern states.
common code of law for all communities, their ways the shame of police handling them. tion to get into the stream and suffer from Last Sunday, on a rainy and cloudy morning we were looking for
at least for marriage and divorce’.
Spouses, especially women in broken
marriages are left high and dry to fend for
T he observation made by Chief Justice
of India N V Ramana that police atroc-
ities and custodial torture are continuing
Another vital aspect to be guarded from
the police perspective is not to allow their
personal problems and ego issues to get
understanding the concepts. The online
classes on far and few and results in incom-
plete coverage of the syllabus. The teachers
monsoon birds in the wetlands and cultivated lands near Sultanpur,
in Gurugram when we heard the "call", followed by another, then an-
other. We followed the calls and saw two pairs of Sarus cranes in the
herself, and often her children. Their hus- in the lock up; and the even the so called manifested during the interrogation of al- are not sufficiently conversant with the paddy lands running, hopping and jumping. Surroundings were filled
bands, given to substance abuse, de- privileged are not being spared from this leged criminals; and arrested individuals. methodology and are not able to handle tech- with their calls.
bauchery and licentiousness have a jolly predicament. The need for the National The station in charge is responsible for nology effectively. The school management "It's their (Sarus) mating calls," said the birder and photographer
good time remarrying and continuing to Legal Services Authority (NALSA) to carry the level-headed behaviour of the police, falls short of expectation and dumps the is- Kamal Sahansi. Sarus cranes often make vocal calls together, known
‘have their ways’ with women of their lik- out a nationwide awareness and sensitisa- in the interrogation of the arrested ; with- sues on the students and parents. It is time as a "unison call", the male starts the call while the female finishes.
ing. tion of officers is a practical way in this di- out any sense of a super cop or trigger for the stake holders to sit together and apply When courting a mate, the male Sarus engages in elaborate "dances"
This atrocious scenario so common in rection. happy crime buster mentality. An attitu- their minds in order to resolve the issues and interlaced with loud trumpeting calls. he hops, skips, and jumps to
the country is brought about by highly or- But, there are other two or more vital dinal change in this regard will definitely make the children's lives worth its while. get their would-be mate's attention.
thodox and one-sided patriarchal factors that are overlooked in this regard, pave the way for a positive way, in pre- J Kannan, hyderabad The male is about 6 ft tall, his wings spread over 8-10 feet and danc-
scheme-of-things. Ideally, marriages the blame for which goes to the police, venting custodial and lock up torture in ing in front of the female who is slightly shorter than male. The bare
must offer parity among genders. Skewed rather undeservedly. The first issue is there the country. thehansreader@gmail.com red skin of the adult's head and neck is brighter during the breeding
religious ‘beliefs’ and convenient misin- are habitual offenders who graduate to big- K V Raghuram, Wayanad monsoon season.
06 OPINION THE TRIBUNE
JALANDHAR | TUESDAY | 10 AUGUST 2021
Absence of real education

THE TRIBUNE established in 1881
Intelligence is not a measurable product — it is the ability to live meaningfully
ligent’ and ‘meritorious’.
Let us begin to accept it. Our chil-
dren, far from being exam warriors,
Mixing vaccines are potentially wanderers, seekers,

explorers; they are born with the
eyes to see, the brain to cognise and
Conclusive research needed to reassure people conceptualise, the heart to feel and
A
experience, and the hands and legs
STUDY by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), released AVIJIT PATHAK
to do things. And meaningful educa-
on Sunday, has shown that giving people a shot of Covishield, fol- SOCIOLOGIST tion is fundamentally the process of
lowed by Covaxin as the second dose, is safe and improves immuni- inner flowering; it is a quest for the
A
ty. The apex medical body has stated that such a mixed regimen will help to MID inflated marks in board integral development of the faculties
‘overcome the challenges of the shortfall of particular vaccines, and remove exams and the flourishing of reason and love, and creative
hesitancy’, especially in settings where multiple Covid-19 vaccines are business of coaching cen- labour and intellectual cognition.
being used. However, the ICMR has hastened to add that a multicentre ran- tres, does anybody bother Education is the celebration of
domised control trial needs to be carried out to conclusively prove these about true learning and meaningful awareness. Education is sensitivity
findings. The study has come out days after Minister of State for Health education? Or is that as a collective — to life and the world. Education is not
Bharati Pravin Pawar, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, said that no rec- parents and teachers — we have taken MISSING: Students seem to have found ‘experts’ and ‘specialists’, rote learning; nor is it confined to the
ommendation to mix the first and second doses of Covid vaccines had been it for granted that there is nothing in but not great teachers. PTI official curriculum. It is immeasura-
made by the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation or the education except the ritualisation of ble. It is the curiosity of science, the
examinations, the neurotic obsession wonder of philosophy, the creativity
National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for Covid-19.
with the quantification of learning
For coaching centres, there’s nothing beyond the act of of poetry, the skill of an artisan, or
Though India has administered over 50 crore doses so far, supply
delays and vaccine hesitancy have impeded efforts to expedite the vacci-
experience, and the mythologisation bargaining: ‘you pay, and I deliver the package of the reasoning of a mathematician.
of a notion of success defined by the And merit or intelligence is not a
nation programme. Mixing of vaccines can give a fillip to the campaign, instrumental reasoning of techno-eco- success mantras’! Parents, too, seem comfortable with measurable product; instead, it is a
subject to validation of the ICMR study at the international level. Several
countries, including Russia, Germany, South Korea and Thailand, are
nomic power? Look around, see the the normalisation of this pathology. quality of being; it is the ability to
pictures of the ‘toppers’ as brand live meaningfully, distinguish cre-
keen on switching to different vaccines for second doses or booster shots, ambassadors of all sorts of coaching ative fulfillment from the external
even though the World Health Organisation (WHO) had said on July 12 centres, and the gorgeous ads of the grow up when one seldom gets an children with BTech/MBA degrees markers of ‘success’, and transform
that the practice of mixing vaccines was a ‘dangerous trend’ since there ever-expanding education shops offer- opportunity to hear the inner voice, manage to migrate to the Euro-Amer- the ordinary — say, repairing a bicy-
was little data on record about its health impact. Europe’s drug regulator, ing courses in hotel management, understand one’s unique aptitudes, ican world. In a way, this is the sociol- cle, nursing one’s old grandmother,
too, has not made any definitive recommendation on combining shots. fashion designing, or information and is almost compelled to follow the ogy of the dominant ‘common sense’ or watching a melancholic sunset —
The ICMR study won’t be enough to dispel doubts in the people’s technology, and tempting the potential standardised path to success—techno- that characterises the prevalent edu- into the extraordinary.
minds as long as the WHO keeps sounding a cautionary note. The customers through the narratives of science, commerce and management. cational practice in India. However, for this sort of aesthetical-
placement and salary packages. And This is like killing human possibilities; However, amid this market-driven ly enriched and life-transformative
findings must be reconciled with scientific evidence available with
move around any town or city, look at this is alienation; and this is to pro- utility, there is something deep and education, we need great teachers,
the global health body. With research to establish the safety or oth-
the book shops, and see how guide mote a non-reflexive crowd behaviour. enduring we are missing. And if we profound educationists, insightful
erwise of mixing vaccines continuing, it is not advisable to jump to books with all sorts of success mantras In an overpopulated country like do not take care of it, we will eventu- pedagogues and sensitive parents.
conclusions. The government should take an informed decision on have succeeded in replacing the sort of ours, we live amid terrible structural ally cause severe intellectual, spiritu- Sometimes, I feel that possibly many
the matter, once it has sufficient data to reassure the public. literature that opens the windows of constraints. While the scarcity of al and politico-ethical damage to our of our youngsters have never found a
consciousness, enriches one’s under- resources and opportunities, and society. This requires a realisation great teacher — say, the kind of
standing of the world, or activates resultant fear of unemployment that meaningful education is not just teacher that the likes of
human sensitivity and critical faculty. haunt us, the heightened socio-eco- confined to training or skill learning Rabindranath Tagore, Jiddu Krishna-
Mining mafia holds sway Imagine the fate of a student who

has been told by his anxiety-ridden
parents that nothing matters more in
nomic inequality makes many of us
think that job-oriented technical edu-
cation or skill learning is the only cap-
or technical efficiency; nor can the
worth of true education be measured
through the utilitarian scale of suc-
murti or Paulo Freire would have
imagined, or the teacher who touches
the soul of the seeker. They have
HP mountains sinking deeper into vulnerability life than the urge to be a topper (the ital one can acquire for upward social cess. It is equally important to realise found school principals who use the
T
fetish of 99% in the board exam), the mobility. It is, therefore, not surpris- that our children are not simply technologies of discipline and surveil-
HE Geological Survey of India’s conclusion of the study into the mas- strategic power to crack the IIT-JEE ing that English-medium schools ‘resources’ to be trained by coach- lance to restore ‘order’ in the class-
sive cave-in of the 150-m stretch of the Paonta Sahib-Shillai road (NH- entrance test, and the internalisation with fancy names are everywhere, ing centres and colleges of engineer- room; they have found ‘experts’ and
707) on July 30 following heavy rain corroborates the findings of oth- of the competitive spirit to run faster, contractors/politicians invest heavily ing/management, and utilised by the ‘specialists’; and they have found all
er experts in Himachal Pradesh over the past several years. Fingers have defeat others and go ahead. Imagine in the mushrooming growth of engi- techno-corporate empire. Our chil- sorts of coaching gurus for whom
again been pointed at the rampant illegal quarrying for the cave-in. It is the state of consciousness of a young neering/management/BEd colleges, dren are endowed with possibilities; education is nothing beyond the act
imperative that the GSI report leads to action rather than it being consigned student who has been directed by and Kota — the town in Rajasthan they are not born only to memorise of bargaining in the marketplace:
to the back-burner, like most other reports cautioning the authorities against coaching centre ‘gurus’ that there is known for all ‘branded’ coaching the facts of history and geography, ‘you pay, and I deliver the package of
the dangers of over-exploitation of natural resources. Concrete steps must nothing in physics, chemistry, mathe- centres — begins to symbolise the solve physics numericals and dif- success mantras’! And the irony is
be taken to bring to book the powerful mining mafia. The negligible rate of matics and biology except what is dream of the rural as well as the urban ferential equations, and ‘prove’ that as parents, we too seem to be
conviction despite many complaints lodged by locals and activists against needed to succeed in the entrance aspiring class. And middle class par- before a highly oppressive/judg- quite comfortable with the normalisa-
tests. Or imagine what it means to ents see it as a status symbol if their mental society that they are ‘intel- tion of this pathology.
some accused only emboldens the perpetrators of this highly lucrative ille-
gal trade that is pillaging the mountains and riverbeds. The miner-politi-
cian-official nexus enjoys immunity, cocking a snook at those daring to
expose them. Every time the mafia manages to escape getting caught, it
comes at a huge cost to the ecology.
Aggravating the problem are unscientific approaches and short-cuts
adopted by various agencies undertaking the road-building jobs and
The takeaway from Italy
other projects despite clearly defined rules aimed to protect the envi- Rakesh Kochhar On the very first evening, we decid- The thin-crust, wood-fired pizzas lating the Italian word for ‘takeaway’,
ronment. In the Paonta road case, for example, the NHAI must be put ed to venture out close to the confer- with liberal toppings of sun-dried he was able to explain to us that the
in the dock for dumping debris in the nullahs on NH-707. It was a recipe
for disaster and brooks no escaping from the law. These transgressions
have cumulatively rendered the hills more prone to landslides. The
common man is suffering the increasingly frequent disasters triggered
T HE Covid-19 pandemic has
popularised food takeaways
and home delivery. Work-from-
home has made cloud kitchens ubiq-
uitous, generating a new culinary
ence venue. It was a time when pizzas
had not yet become popular in India.
It was still the era before the Euro-
pean Union had been formed, and the
currency of Italy was lira. We felt on
tomatoes, pickled olives and jalapenos
on a sumptuous spread of creamy
cheese were indeed a connoisseur’s
delight. We had not tasted anything
like that back home in Chandigarh. So
cost of each pizza was 3,000 lira for a
boxed takeaway, but was 6,000 lira for
a dine-in pizza! He also explained in
broken English that this fact was men-
by flashfloods and rain every monsoon. Causing immense loss of life tioned in small print at the bottom of
vocabulary. In the midst of the cur- top of the world when we realised that we ordered another round of pizzas to the board. We felt cheated, but grudg-
and property (buildings, roads and bridges), they are sure indicators of
rent ‘takeaway’ phenomenon, I a hundred Indian rupees could be savour the flavour of new toppings and ingly made the payment.
the hilly slopes having been further weakened.
recall an interesting incident that exchanged for 3,000 lira. authentic Italian herbs. Having eaten As we came out, we saw the adjoin-
A sustainable and long-term plan to counter the risky activities happened more than 20 years ago. Loaded with lira notes, we took off to our heart’s content, we pooled our ing shop selling ice-cream in exotic
regularly red-flagged is needed. Proper planning to avoid the burden A group of us had gone to Italy for looking for a place to eat and asked for share of liras and requested for the bill. flavours. For the six of us, we ordered
of compensation doled out and the huge cost of rebuilding damaged a medical conference. As the pro- directions to the nearest pizza outlet. It We were taken aback to see that the a tub of 1 litre of Mediterranean fig
infrastructure will be beneficial in the long run. Unless the haz- ceedings of the meeting would finish had a board at its entrance displaying bill was exactly the double of what we ice-cream for 5,000 liras. As we
ardous activities are controlled, the already fragile ecosystem of the by late afternoon, we had ample time the cost of different pizzas. At 3,000 lira, had calculated. We requested to see requested for six spoons, instead of
state will sink deeper into the critically vulnerable zone. to explore Turin, the host city we found the price of a 9-inch vegetari- the manager, who was the only one wrapping up the tub, the salesgirl was
famous for the Shroud of Christ and an pizza enticing. Six of us ordered who could converse in English among astonished to know that we wanted it
the birthplace of Fiat. three pizzas with free lemonades. the staff. After a lot of effort in trans- as a takeaway and not as dine-in.
❝ ❞
thought for the day letters to the editor
Education’s purpose is to replace an empty mind with Golden show at Tokyo the Kozhikode air crash on their children. The labour force is it. So, the state government wants to
an open one. — Malcolm Forbes Reference to ‘Golden show in August 7 last year. Human memory the real backbone of the industry. utilise the services of an age-old class
Tokyo’, after shooter Abhinav is weak. We all forget unfortunate KRISHAN BHATIA, HANSI gratis. There are thousands of khe-
Bindra’s gold in 2008, it is Neeraj incidents with the passage of time. wats in the revenue record, where
Chopra’s gold now, India’s first Our government formed a panel of Sex education there are hundreds of shareholders.
on this day...100 years ago medal ever in athletics. India’s the Aircraft Accident Investigation Apropos of ‘Haryana child preg- There are lakhs of lessees, whose
medals tally at Tokyo Olympics is Board on August 13, 2020, to find nancies’, it is shocking to read that name does not appear in the revenue
the best so far at seven, the previ- out the facts of the crash. The com- in the first five months of 2021, record. The record has not been
ous best being six at the London mittee was to submit its report by there have been 37 child pregnancy updated and is fraught with innumer-
Olympics in 2012. Nothing prevents January. But there is not a word cases in Haryana. Teachers in able mistakes and overlappings. The
us from hailing our medal winners from the team. Air India, DGCA, schools should sensitise boys and exercise of uploading will cause tur-
lahore,wednesday,august 10, 1921
and fellow Olympians. Describing Ministry of Civil Aviation, all are girls students regarding sex educa- moil in society, as smugglers of crops
the historic moment of Neeraj just silent on the issue. tion. Parents and elders at home will find a subtle way to hoodwink the
Irreconcilable and Incorrect. Chopra, one could not escape the GURPREET S MALHOTRA, KANSAL should also educate children in law and sell the crops bought in Bihar
WE leave it to the writer to explain how the applicant could have both admitted observation that he won a solitary these matters, else the conse- at half the rate than the MSP and sell
being a non-co-operator, as stated in the first sentence, and be a professed non-co- gold for a nation of 1.35 billion. This Child pregnancies quences would be serious. it in Punjab, Haryana and UP. No use-
operator, as stated in the second. As a matter of fact, the statements are not only must make heads roll in India Reference to ‘Haryana child preg- RIKHI DASS THAKUR, HAMIRPUR ful purpose will be served with the
irreconcilable, but also incorrect. There is not a word in the letter published in these regarding our Olympic journey giv- nancies’; the menace has been ele- implementation of half-baked policies.
columns to show either that the applicant admitted being a non-co-operator or that en the fact that we stand at 48th vated due to the lack of amenities, Land records ABHIRAJ SINGH BAJWA, HOSHIARPUR
he professed himself to be one. The Deputy Commissioner did not ask him place in the medals tally with the primarily among the migrated Reference to ‘Farmers oppose land
whether he was a non-co-operator, but only whether he was a member of a USA at the top with 39 golds followed labour from other states. Conges- record upload order’; farmers were BRO’s world record
Congress Committee, and to this question his reply was in the negative. It is true by our neighbour China with 38. tion in living conditions and the waiting with bated breath for the pro- The Border Roads Organisation
that the Deputy Commissioner did tell him that since he was dressed in Swadeshi, Politicians are in a rush to hail the lack of privacy is the root cause of cedure to be adopted for (BRO) has built the world’s highest
he was a non-co-operator, but the very form of the proposition precluded his heroes, a big majority of whom have all such incidents. To meet both purchase/payment of kharif crops. motorable road at Umling La Pass
making any statement denying its correctness. If in the Deputy Commissioner’s made it on their own and despite ends, both father and mother have They will have to upload the revenue in eastern Ladakh, just adjacent to
mind the wearing of Swadeshi cloth and being a non-co-operator were government apathy, even facing to go to work, leaving the children record of ownership on the web portal China, at a height of 19,300 ft. India
synonymous terms, how could the applicant possibly prove that he was not a non- social abuse like Vandana Katariya. at the mercy of unscrupulous per- of the Mandi Board. This work will has broken Bolivia’s record of a
co-operator, except by immediately giving up his Swadeshi cloth or at any rate HIRA SHARMA , BY MAIL sons, mostly known family friends have to be completed through com- road built near Volcano Uturuncu at
expressing his readiness to give it up, the first thing, on returning home, either of and relatives. Being away from mission agents. The irony is that the 18,953 ft. Building a road at this
which courses would, to our mind, have been not only unmanly but in the highest Kozhikode crash their native place, they are helpless aim of the policy is to oust arhtiyas height was not an easy task because
degree unpatriotic? He, therefore, did what any one else in his position would have There is a small news report in the and social stigma prevents them and make direct payment to the own- winter temperature dips to -40
done, and asked the Deputy Commissioner what this (the wearing of Swadeshi issue of August 9 that Air India from speaking up. It is the duty of ers’ account. The lessees, the cultiva- degree Celsius, and at this altitude,
cloth) had to do with his going to the United States. When he was told in reply that Express has made a final compen- the state, and especially employers, tors and the share-croppers have oxygen levels are 50% less than at
non-co-operators could not go, he made himself even more explicit, and said that sation offer to all 165 passengers to raise proper infrastructure for been forgotten. Last season also, the normal places. What a unique per-
simply because he was dressed in Swadeshi cloth, he (the Deputy Commissioner) injured and the next of kin of 19 the housing of labourers, and pro- Centre had stressed that the commis- formance by the BRO!
was spoiling his whole further career. There was no admission here of his being a passengers plus crew who died in vide facilities for the education of sion of the arhtiyas will not be paid by RK ARORA, AMBALA CITY
non-co-operator, whether tacit or otherwise, but a simple affirmation of the fact that
his offence was that he was dressed in Swadeshi cloth. Letters to the Editor, typed in double space, should not exceed the 200-word limit. These should be cogently written and can be sent by e-mail to: Letters@tribunemail.com
THE TRIBUNE
JALANDHAR | TUESDAY | 10 AUGUST 2021 OPED 07
Afghan peace process a challenge for India shares with Badakshan province, it has
funded Afghanistan in raising a moun-
tain division to plug the access of ETIM
The Doha peace process was a US
to Xinjiang province and done joint agreement with the Taliban for the
border patrolling. In 1996, non-Pash-
tun Badakshan was the only area that safe passage of US troops. It was on
the Taliban could not capture. This
time, districts and provincial capitals
May 1 that the Taliban started their
MAJ GEN ASHOK K MEHTA (RETD)
MILITARY COMMENTATOR
in the Tajik north are the first to be tak- ongoing offensive. Today, they control
en by the Taliban.
China’s earlier Afghanistan policy was half of Afghanistan’s 419 districts,
T mostly in rural areas. The Taliban

HE UN Security Council had benign, marked by five noes: no objec-
been haplessly watching tion to the Taliban attaining power
Afghanistan’s descent into through legal means; no use of Northern enjoy far greater legitimacy in 2021
chaos following the Taliban Distribution Network by the US; no
offensive of over three months. Only interference in Afghan internal affairs; than they did in 1996 when only three
last week, with India holding the rotat-
ing presidency in August, the UNSC
no boots on the ground; no criticism of
the US. It has violated these norms,
countries — the UAE, Saudi Arabia
acted — after allowing the country to especially blaming the US for hasty and Pakistan — had recognised them.
be ravaged by the Taliban — urging a withdrawal. China has had a free ride in
halt to violence and return to talks. Afghanistan with sparse economic assis-
Oral repudiation of the Taliban has tance and investment; still, the Taliban STATE OF FLUX: The situation in Afghanistan has
scant heft. Only after a major provin- consider it a superpower on a par with led to apprehensions about a civil war. REUTERS
cial capital like Lashkargah, Kandahar the US. China, along with Russia and
or Jalalabad falls and is held, may the Pakistan, has not only the power of lead-
Taliban offer to negotiate, armed with ing the Taliban to the square table at cities’. The seizure of provincial capitals collapse in six months to two years to National Journalists Union, Kabul and a civil war and a political settlement.
battlefield leverage. They have cap- Doha, but also in persuading it to behave is ostensibly in retaliation for the US their imminent fall and now in a turn- protégé of the late Lion of Panjshir, Interestingly, External Affairs Ministry
tured five provincial capitals in the moderately though in its quest for pow- bombing. An estimated 100,000-strong around, they say their fall is not Ahmad Shah Massoud, blames NSA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi has begun
north, including Kunduz, in as many er and legitimacy, it has shown no incli- Taliban supported by 10,000 jihadis from inevitable or a foregone conclusion. The Hamdullah Mohib for mismanagement referring to India as being contiguous with
days. Also hot is the news that China, nation of abandoning its medieval ideol- Pakistan are fighting in 21 provinces. sudden and quick exit has put at risk the of operations while Herat strongman, Afghanistan. Pakistan says it’s not the
the new kid on the block, will play a ogy and Chengiz Khan-like brutality. The Taliban enjoy far greater legitimacy gains of the last 20 years and is being Gen Ismail Khan says the Taliban sweep case and this disqualifies New Delhi from
key role in Afghanistan after US exit. Having completed 95 per cent of within 2021 than they did in 1996 when only called irresponsible. Former US presi- is a conspiracy. The Afghan air force has any role as a non-neighbouring country.
Beijing was able to invite a full delega- drawal, the US is leaving without any three countries — the UAE, Saudi Ara- dent George Bush and General David 162 aircraft, including two dozen US The US-Russia-China-Pakistan
tion of the Taliban led by Mullah political settlement. As many as 650 sol- bia and Pakistan — had recognised Petraeus have criticised the Biden Black Hawk and several Mi-17 and Mi- extended troika which is seeking a
Baradar to China last month, shower- diers will stay back after August 31, the them. The Doha peace accord was inter- administration for its choice and deci- 24 helicopters, including five given by regional solution will hold its third
ing legitimacy by calling it a pivotal deadline for withdrawal. The Doha estingly titled, ‘Agreement for bringing sion. Petraeus said last month that India. Pakistan has spread the canard meeting on August 11 which does not
military and political force. The Tal- peace process was a US agreement with peace to Afghanistan between the between the choices of ‘leave or not that Indian pilots are bombing the Tal- include India, because according to
iban responded as required by the the Taliban for the safe passage of US Islamic emirate of Afghanistan which is leave, there was a third option: leave iban. Drones, B-52 and F18-A aircraft Russia, India cannot influence the Tal-
hosts, pledging not to allow the use of troops. Since May 1, when the Taliban not recognised by the US as a State and but with sustainable presence’. Nearly have been supporting ANSF in recent iban. India has failed to engage higher
Afghan soil for terrorist activity against started the ongoing offensive, they ini- is known as the Taliban and US’. 3,500 US and 8,000 NATO troops which days in Kandahar and Helmand. There echelons of the Taliban openly and vis-
China by the East Turkestan Islamic tially controlled 81 districts. Today, they Attrition in combat, though very high, was the force level before the drawdown is no clarity whether CENTCOM com- ibly. India’s capacity-building and
Movement (ETIM), an Islamic group control half of Afghanistan’s 419 dis- is classified. Civilian casualties in the first is deemed as ‘sustainable presence’. mander Gen McKenzie will be autho- development assistance programmes
fuelling unrest in Xinjiang province tricts, mostly in rural areas. The bulk of six months of this year, according to the Air power has proved to be a decisive rised to call for air support — Over-the- (534 projects in 34 provinces) have not
from Afghanistan. The Taliban have the Afghans are still in government-con- UN, are 1,659 killed and 3,254 wounded. factor in pushing back the Taliban. One horizon (OTH) radar system which is converted into any political dividend.
requested China for shoulder-fired trolled areas. The Taliban have sur- American commanders have sent out reason attributed to the loss of districts proving less effective than the previous New Delhi remains on the fringes in
missiles and electronic warfare suites rounded 17 of 34 provincial capitals, they mixed signals about the resilience of the is insufficiency of air maintenance as system — after August 31. Meanwhile, shaping the future of Afghanistan as
to counter Afghan and US bombing. control crossings on all its borders and Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) many outlying districts were sustained Mohib told BBC’s Hard Talk of three the US (and NATO) cut-and-run to
Worried about the 76-km border it say it is not their ‘policy to fight in to take on the Taliban, from a possible by air. Faheem Dashty, chairman of the possible outcomes: military stalemate, avoid another Vietnam.
Riddle of the global minimum corporate tax rate

T
HE silence of India’s eco- al levels of the work-force as well as tries of G-7, led by the US, imposing
nomic experts on the global wage rates. The United States Trea- this rule of minimum corporate tax?
minimum corporate tax of 15 sury Secretary Janet Yellen argues And why is it that other countries have
per cent, which was agreed that the global minimum corporate fallen in line so quickly, and without
upon by G-7, the club of rich, industri- tax would help the middle class and any reservations? The only reason this
alised countries, in the first week of that the companies would invest in has been so seems to be that govern-
June, followed by the approval of G-20 the education of the workforce and in ments do not want to lose taxes, their
countries, which includes India, and research and development. assured income, and the companies
PARSA VENKATESHWAR RAO JR
further support for the measure from The multinational corporations are look as greedily at their profits. In the
SENIOR JOURNALIST 130 other nations, is intriguing yet likely to argue that if the tax rates are taxes versus profits tussle, govern-
understandable. Even as India lower, they will spend more on the ments look to ways of increasing their
observed 30 years of the revolutionary wage bill, which is unlikely, and more tax revenue, and the companies their
economic reforms of 1991, which end- on research and development, which profit margins. There is this basic differ-
Why are the rich countries ed the supposedly closed socialist era is likely. It is the technological edge ence between governments and compa-
since independence and opened the over the competitors that will keep the nies. Governments have all the compa-
of G-7, led by the United economy to market forces, the news giants ahead in the race. And many of nies to tax. A company’s tax prospects
States, imposing this rule of from the global leaders of free market the technological breakthroughs, are limited to its own enterprise.
economy must have come as a damp- especially in the information technol- The question that arises is: what is
minimum corporate tax? ener. One of the key arguments for ogy field, have happened in America the minimum tax that governments
reforms in India was that low taxation because American tech giants have can impose going by the fairness prin-
And why is it that other is a necessary incentive to attract for- EVOLVING CONSENSUS: The new global minimum corporate tax rate proposed by been spending considerable amounts ciple? Is the proposed 15 per cent min-
countries have fallen in line eign investment as well as encourage G-7 countries may not be to the liking of companies with smaller turnovers. REUTERS on research and development. And imum global corporate tax rate a fair
greater economic productivity. there is the enviable scientific and one? Many companies may say that it
so quickly, and without any India’s free market pundits have giants like Apple and Microsoft with its been the case with Apple doing busi- technological research in the Ameri- is not a fair deal because it is easier for
argued about reducing corporate tax, 12.5 per cent corporate tax rate, which ness in European Union (EU) countries can university system which feeds bigger companies with larger profits to
reservations? The only but corporate tax rate never fell below falls below the new minimum rate of 15 and refusing to pay taxes in these coun- into the companies. part with the 15 per cent tax, and it is a
reason this has been 21 per cent from about 40 per cent at its per cent. It is also about competitive tax tries because it is doing so from its base The minimum global corporate tax burden for individual companies with
peak since 1991. India will not have rates as there are competitive tariffs in Ireland, its operational headquarters. rate may force tax havens like Cayman smaller turnovers. Similarly, for small-
so seems to be that much problem with the new global and competitive wage rates. The US feels cheated because all the Islands to shut shop, but it may not cre- er economies, the 15 per cent mini-
minimum corporate tax rate. But it will The question is about multinational tech giants are American, and their ate the level playing field in terms of mum corporate tax rate might look
governments do not not be able to adopt radical — and radi- companies like Apple, Amazon, Alpha- corporate headquarters are in Ameri- low tax rates. Yellen had said after the attractive, but it will be a great burden
want to lose taxes, their cal in the context of taxes always means bet (Google) moving their operations to ca. It feels that it is being cheated of its decision that this will end the tendency on the smaller companies operating
low rates — tax measures to encourage countries with low tax rates, to avoid tax rightful share of the taxes. So, it to beat down the tax rates. There was a inside the smaller economies.
assured income, and the domestic industry as well as attract for- payments either in the country where seems to feel that if there is a uniform time, perhaps a quarter century ago or The important question is how this
eign investments. The picture would they started their businesses from and tax obligation, it might discourage more, when beating down the tax rate consensus about the global minimum
companies look as greedily have been radically different if the where they base their corporate head- these multinational companies from seemed to be the way forward in build- corporate tax rate was forged. How
at their profits. argument had been for a maximum quarters in the US. These corporates moving their operations to other coun- ing free market economies. What then much did the G-7 rich countries arm-
global corporate tax rate of 15 per cent. are also avoiding payment of taxes in tries. But tax rate alone might not be has changed? If the market forces were twist G-20 emerging economies and the
The issue is not just about tax havens countries where their goods and servic- the reason for a company to look to allowed free play, then the tax rates and rest of the lower income countries?
with their zero tax rates. Ireland has es are sold because they operate from a other countries. There are other issues many other things will have their own Why is the G-7 dictating tax rates to the
been attracting the tech multinational country with a lower tax rate. This has involved in the matter. The education- natural levels. Why are the rich coun- rest of the world?
quick crossword su do ku calendar forecast

ACROSS AUGUST 10, 2021, TUESDAY SUNSET: TUESDAY 19:09 HRS
1 A great success (7)
4 Demand as one’s due (5) 1 3 2 ■ Vikrami Samvat 2078
SUNRISE: WEDNESDAY 05:47 HRS
7 Go into raptures (4) ■ Shaka Samvat 1943

8 Majesty (8)
10 Profession (4,2,4) 3 8 ■ Shravan Shaka
■ Shravan Parvishte
19
26
Sunny Partly Cloudy Cloudy
CITY MAX
Rainy
MIN
Foggy
12 Arab chieftain (6)

Chandigarh 35 26
4 1 9
■ Hijari 1442
13 Settlement (6)
15 Assuredly (2,3,5) ■ Shukla Paksha Tithi 2, up to 6.06 pm New Delhi 35 27
18 Game originating in ■ Parigha Yoga up to 6.29 pm Amritsar 35 26
Canada (8)
19 Face of clock (4) 6 3 5 ■ Magha Nakshatra up to 9.53 am Bathinda
Jalandhar
42
35
26
25
■ Moon in Leo sign
20 Particle (5)
6 4 7
21 Hindmost part (4,3) ■ Gandmool up to 9.53 am Ludhiana 35 27
Bhiwani 38 27
DOWN YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION
Hisar 38 27
1 To cast (5)
2 Complex (8) 8 1 5 9 4 3 5 1 2 8 6 7 Sirsa 38 27
3 Usher in (6) 8 2 1 7 4 6 5 3 9 Dharamsala 30 20
4 Problematic
situation (3,2,5) 5 4 7 5 7 6 9 8 3 1 4 2 Manali
Shimla
26
24
16
18
5 Region (4) 4 1 7 6 2 5 3 9 8
6 Quicksilver (7) Srinagar 30 17
9 Drudgery (6-4) 9 4 3 6 9 8 7 4 2 1 5 Jammu 34 25
11 Temporarily (3,1,4) 2 5 8 1 3 9 4 7 6 Kargil 20 13 11
YESTERDAY’S sOLUTION 12 Exceeding what is
Across: 1 Snap out of it, 9 Hideous, 10 Tokyo, 11 Warn, 12 Tortuous, 14 Foster, 16 needed (7) 1 7 9 6 3 4 2 5 7 9 8 1 Leh
Dehradun
20
32
10
24
Cinema, 18 Amundsen, 19 Omit, 22 Ditto, 23 Monitor, 24 Cross swords. 14 Cupboard (6) 1 9 2 3 6 8 7 5 4
Down: 2 Nadir, 3 Plot, 4 Upshot, 5 Outstrip, 6 Irksome, 7 Show of hands, 8 For starters, 16 Unanimous (5) Mussoorie 22 16
7 8 5 4 9 1 6 2 3
13 Dead loss, 15 Saunter, 17 Hermes, 20 Muted, 21 Undo. 17 A persistent pain (4) V. HARD TEMPERATURE IN OC
EDIT
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Whatever you
do might be insignificant, but it is
very important that you do it.
— MAHATMA GANDHI MUMBAI | TUESDAY | AUGUST 10, 2021
Has this session of Parliament helped

SINCE 1928
the opposition corner the Centre?

FOUNDER EDITOR: S SADANAND
IPL nation can surely

turn tide in other sports opposition must have its say and the
government must have its way (to
(SC) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).
Making an issue of the PM being
If they mean business, the opposi-
tion leaders can make a start to fight
brings us to the other key question
of whether a show of aggressive-
I
f we come down from the dizzy heights of national
chauvinism, what we see on the table is one gold, two
silver and four bronze medals for India. Ranked 48th,
Long Shot pass important bills).
However, when a legislation has
prevented from introducing the new
ministers to Parliament, the BJP
together all the assembly elections
of 2022 and 2023 before they can
ness in Parliament can help the op-
position parties at hustings. Must
strong social ramifications, even the has already planned a three-day ‘Jan think of the Lok Sabha polls in 2024. they not go beyond the anti-BJP
India is nowhere near the top achievers United States, with � Shekhar Iyer opposition decides that it will coop- Aashirwad Yatra’ for ministers pro- Of course, they may ask themselves plank that they exhibit together and
39 gold, 41 silver and 33 bronze medals, or China with 38 erate with the Modi government - moted or inducted into the council whether the voters will be im- present an alternative model of gov-
gold, 32 silver and 18 bronze medals at the Tokyo Olympics. like in the instance of a constitu- recently. They will cover at least pressed just because they came to- ernance, without depending on pop-
A
Forget countries like Japan and England, we are far behind s Parliament’s monsoon ses- tional amendment that aims to re- three to four Lok Sabha constituen- gether? Hasn’t this coming together ulism and welfarism?
Australia, Cuba, Kenya, Slovenia and Georgia. Even a tiny sion draws to a close this store the power of states to identify cies in three days. The aim is to help just to defeat the BJP been tried out Among the opposition leaders,
country like New Zealand, with a population of less than week, one wonders who ben- backward castes. The 127th Consti- the ministers ‘improve their appeal’ earlier? Did they succeed in Uttar West Bengal Chief Minister Mama-
50 lakh, has won seven gold, six silver and seven bronze efitted from the non-functioning of tution Amendment Bill, 2021, aims among people and get people to Pradesh in the 2017 assembly poll? ta Banerjee is exuding maximum
medals. Our cities have much bigger populations. We the two Houses in a proper manner. to bypass a May 2021 Supreme Court know them better. At least, they can prevent division of confidence in forging a united oppo-
aren’t a nascent nation; our journey at the Olympics began Apart from the fact that a lot of pub- ruling that said only the Centre On the other hand, the Pegasus opposition votes. sition under her initiative and lead-
100 years ago. We were among the fastest growing lic money was lost because of the could notify Marathas or any other snooping controversy, farm bills and The past experience has, however, ership. This follows her party's stun-
economies of the world till very recently and aspired to be stalemate, what is the political mes- group as socially and educationally price rise have forged a very rare been a haunting one. The Samajwa- ning victory in the assembly polls
the global leader even in terms of political clout. Against sage that the opposition and the backward classes (SEBCs) — and unity among most opposition par- di Party and the Congress came to- this year.
government think that they have not the states. ties. They are harping on one mes- gether to fight the BJP and both the Her party leaders are openly talk-
this backdrop, our performance at the Games is a reason to
managed to send out to the public at Apart from the realpolitik that sage - that Modi is ‘undemocratic’ parties got drubbed. The BJP won ing about her candidature as the
introspect, not rejoice. The intention is certainly not to cry large? guides the approach of the govern- and the parliamentary process is in the election by an overwhelming next PM.
down the pleasures of individual feats; let it be a rude In December 2014, when the Rajya ment and the opposition, the mon- a shambles. three-quarter majority of 325 seats, Such posturing by her and her Tri-
awakening to the distressing fact that Indian sports hasn’t Sabha alone was caught in a similar soon session of Parliament, which With the assembly elections in Ut- despite not projecting a chief minis- namool Congress supporters may
changed course. It is still crawling as miserably as it situation, the then late finance min- began on July 19, has been rocked by tar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, terial candidate before the election. not go down well with other opposi-
crawled for decades. ister Arun Jaitley had remarked frequent protests and disruptions. and Goa, set to take place in 2022, the Such was the heartburn caused by tion leaders. We have already seen
India neither has the sports infrastructure, nor the sport- that “one House (Lok Sabha) is func- Both Houses have seen opposition opposition think it is doing the right the BJP’s huge success, the SP and how Congress leader Rahul Gandhi
ing culture to produce sportsmen of international repute. tioning but the other isn’t. So this is MPs troop to the Well, hold placards thing by showing its utter disgust the Congress began to think their al- has suddenly begun to take the ini-
The emergence of a Dhyan Chand or a Milkha Singh is ev- arrogance of numbers (in the and shout slogans against the gov- with the government in the hope liance was a huge mistake. tiative to hold meetings with other
idence of individual brilliance, not the nation’s resur- Rajya Sabha)”. To which, CPI(M) opposition leaders for a joint strate-
gence. A PT Usha, an Abhinav Bindra, a Mary Kom, a general secretary Sitaram Yechury,
who was a member of the Upper
With the assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, and Goa, set to take gy against Modi in Parliament. It
has happened only after Mamata set
Lovlina Borgohain or a Neeraj Chopra will keep cropping
up in a country of 130 crore people. Cricket has money and House, responded, “the other House place in 2022, the opposition thinks it is doing the right thing by showing utter disgust the ball rolling. On August 3, for the
is functioning due to the tyranny of first time, Rahul chaired a breakfast
national obsession and hence we have players of global ac-
the majority.”
with the government, in the hope that the voters will reflect its mood. But the big meeting in Delhi in what was seen
claim. Hockey is a tragic story of decline; we have strug-
gled to make a mark after dominating the world for Those days, which were the begin- question is that, beyond the current stalemate in Parliament, do the opposition parties as his readiness to be the face of the
ning of Prime Minister Narendra opposition against Modi.
decades. Individual sportspersons have done well because
Modi's first term in office, his gov- have a game plan for unity of action and fighting elections ahead? Interestingly, on July 28, Mamata
of personal talent and dedication, not institutional sup-
ernment was handicapped by the had called on Sonia Gandhi after six
port. These boys and girls burn the candle at both ends to
fact it did not have enough numbers ernment over their demand to dis- that the voters will reflect its mood. Similarly, for the Lok Sabha elec- years. During the last meeting in
fight the darkness of governmental as well as societal apa- in the Upper House to push through cuss the Pegasus row, the three farm But the big question is that, beyond tions of 2019, SP leader Akhilesh Ya- 2015, Mamata was countered by So-
thy. We frequently hear stories about national level players major legislations. Today, the gov- laws and rising fuel prices. the current stalemate in Parliament, dav formed an alliance with BSP nia when she had suggested that the
turning into street vendors to earn their livelihood. It is al- ernment numbers in the Lok Sabha Last week, a Rajya Sabha MP -- Tri- do the opposition parties have a chief Mayawati. After the results, Congress must not insist on the role
most perverse to see state governments showering crores are overwhelming. In the Rajya Sab- namool Congress’s Santanu Sen -- game plan for unity of action and Mayawati felt let down by the Sama- of leadership of a combined opposi-
on those who win medals at international events while re- ha, the government can manage was suspended for the session for fighting elections ahead? jwadi Party because its votes did not tion to Modi for the 2019 polls. At
fusing to set up even basic infrastructure to support bud- numbers with the help of smaller tearing up a minister's statement, Sonia Gandhi had suggested a few get transferred to her party at all. that time, Sonia had apparently
ding sportspersons. The Sports Authority of India (SAI) parties. Yet, it realises that the oppo- with other opposition leaders accus- years ago that the opposition must The BJP and its ally Apna Dal(S) pointed out to Mamata that how
has been a corrupt and incompetent body. Reports have sition is more disruptive than being the chair of not allowing them to put up one candidate against the won 64 of the 80 Lok Sabha seats could the Congress abdicate its role
suggested that Neeraj Chopra struggled with official apa- fore. The government believes that express their views. A few Tri- BJP nominee in all Lok Sabha seats from the state, proving all arith- as the main opposition to the BJP.
thy all these years and went abroad for training because of the opposition has never accepted namool Congress members were all over the country. metic of the SP-BSP ‘mahagatband- Mamata did not pursue the matter
a private sponsor, not the government. At this juncture, let the mandate of 2014 and 2019 and suspended for the day. Is this workable today at the state han’ in Uttar Pradesh wrong. further with the Gandhi family.
us avoid drifting into the debate over reduction of the budg- will go to any extent to disrupt its Modi is no doubt cut up with the level? Can there be one opposition That's why Akhilesh Yadav has not Since the 2019 polls, the Congress
et for sports by Rs 230 crore in an Olympics year by the legislative agenda. opposition for not even letting him candidate in every assembly seat shown any inclination for a similar may have shrunk in political size.
Modi government. On the other hand, the opposition introduce his new council of minis- against the BJP? Can opposition tie-up or to involve the Congress in But it is certainly in no mood to con-
We have this tendency to get elated over the performance believes that the government’s posi- ters following the July 8 reshuffle. He leaders drop their individual ambi- any alliance. cede its role as a major opposition
of our girls at international events. Girls have done re- tion is hardened towards them inducted 36 new ministers into his tions, egos and domination of their In this scenario, where does the force. Other opposition parties can-
markably well in the recent past, in sports ranging from because of the 2019 mandate and government in the biggest cabinet respective turf to let a true alterna- Congress stand? Priyanka Gandhi, not ignore this aspect.
arrogance of the BJP. Nobody is reshuffle since he came to power in tive emerge to Modi and the BJP? who is the face of the Congress in
badminton to wrestling. But what social ambience do we
willing to follow the old adage 2014 with big focus on new entrants As Parliament ends this tumultuous UP, has realised that it may not be The writer is former Senior Associate
provide to girls during their preparatory stage? She has to for successful functioning of Parlia- belonging to the Other Backward monsoon session, these questions prudent to go it alone but the search Editor, Hindustan Times, and Political
break countless barriers and fight sickening prejudices to ment, which goes thus: the Classes (OBCs), Scheduled Castes will need answers. for partners remains elusive. That Editor, Deccan Herald, New Delhi
step out of her home to start a career in sports. Braving
taunts, an exploitative mindset and a cruel system, if she
fails to make it big, what is the financial security available ONE FLEW OVER THE NEST #Post-Olympics TUESDAY'S SWIPE LETTERS
for her future? What is the financial security available to
the boys who don’t excel at national and international lev- Enough of video of phone calls, sportspersons should get rewards as promised, says Congress leader Rahul Gandhi TO THE
els? While the governments have paid only lip service, the
corporate world too has not gone beyond tokenism. The US
Press Trust of India@PTI_News
EDITOR
Yes no need of so many cash rewards, infrastructure should be world class, and talent hunt in sports must be
and China haven’t produced world-class athletes without a
robust support system. India’s politicians would also do
launched every six months.
NEERAJ GUPTA@GuptaPochi RIP, capitalism in India
well to envisage radical changes in the system to promote Sportspersons should not only get rewards but sportrs should get support, infrastructure n money. A useless Car Trade IPO: romoters/founders
sports, instead of offering to have ice cream with the cham- country where we reward only when one wins. are selling their shares in the name
pions. There is no dearth of talent; what is missing is the Sai Subramaniam@saisudar74259 of IPO. IPO is 100 per cent OFS.
system to nurture talent. While India is indeed a poor coun- All 2998cr is offered for sale.
After foto session and thank you Modi hoardings all across India.
try and maximum time and energy are consumed by fun- Promoters will take this money
Ravi Panjabi@RaviPanjabi2
damental concerns like education, health and employ- home.
It's enough of tweeting @RahulGandhi must also announce some reward for the #Olympics medalists.... Promoters: You make a 28cr profit in
ment, there is no denying the fact that much better results @INCIndia please update... a year and using bull market
can be achieved with the available resources. What is re- CS Nitin Kochhar@NSK_Kochhar sentiment to sell your 40 per cent
quired is vision, planning and honest execution. The need shares at 2998cr. If your company
is to create an apolitical sports administrative mechanism, is having such great prospects, why
autonomous bodies with sufficient funding and a social se- This is a marked departure from when he had made the Rafale deal a singular fight between him and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are you dumping 40 per cent of
curity plan for sportspersons. Fleeting interest and en-
Rahul's new avatar: Building consensus

your shares? If you were bringing
couragement are no substitute for a sustained effort to pro- an IPO and raising money for
mote sports. Multi-level avenues have created a salubrious company expansion, this crazy
environment for cricket. A country that has become the valuation would have still made
world’s biggest playground of cricket with the Indian Pre- some sense. But you are bringing
mier League obviously has the mettle to turn the tide in power in Maharashtra. Only the tion. According to political experts, that when it comes to taking on the an IPO to buy expensive cars and
other sports as well. If there is a will… BSP and Aam Aadmi Party were the larger message from Rahul’s Prime Minister and his party, the luxurious houses for yourself !
Comment conspicuous by their absence.
Mayawati has publicly said that she
meeting was to his critics, including
those from within the Congress who
Congress occupies the pole position.
As part of this strategy, reports sug-
Shame on you! You people will
never let the common person have
FPJ ARCHIVES MAY 25, 1963 will not ally with any party for the have often said that he is too reticent gest that the Congress think tank is faith in the stock market. Every 10
� A L I Chougule Uttar Pradesh assembly election and unpredictable and does not en- taking baby steps to ensure the spot- years, people like you keep on
due in six months and she has been gage with seasoned opposition lead- light remains on Rahul Gandhi. The shattering the confidence of
accused by some opposition leaders ers. There may be some substance in outreach by the party is being seen commoners.
R
ahul Gandhi is once again of playing for the BJP. the accusation that Rahul, unlike as an attempt to project Rahul as an SEBI: Look into it. Separate IPO
demonstrating the sort of ini- The Congress called the breakfast his mother Sonia, does not enjoy a accepted leader of like-minded par- from OFS.
tiative that his critics have of- meeting a historic day, saying “this great rapport with other opposition ties. But there are question marks Commoner doesn’t understand IPO
ten accused him of lacking. Over the is the trailer for 2024”. The party’s leaders, but through his breakfast over who will lead the opposition and OFS. Get a survey done.
last few weeks, he has been taking spokesperson, Abhishek Manu diplomacy and by attending opposi- charge against the highly popular You and me: They use our greed.
on a more active charge in the cur- Singhvi, said that the event was a tion meetings for talks over unity in Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Stop talking about listing gains.
rent monsoon session of Parlia- prelude to the picture that will Parliament, Rahul has indicated While the Congress party is work- Kundan Kishore
ment. Last week, he chaired a break- emerge in 2024 and “a sign of the that he is willing to engage with the ing in mission mode to bring Rahul
fast meeting with leaders and MPs
of 15 like-minded parties. It was a
new resolve, the new direction, the
new momentum and the new deter-
opposition.
It is said that the breakfast meet-
to the spotlight as the race for the
pole position among opposition National Olympics
show of strength by the opposition
at the Constitution Club, barely a
mination and grit”. At the meeting,
Rahul Gandhi was reported to have
ing was the brainchild of Rahul
Gandhi, who has made a conscious
leaders picks up pace, the question
is whether he will be accepted as the
mission needed
kilometre away from Parliament, to said the Opposition represents 60 effort to make the Pegasus 'Snoop- leader of the united opposition in 1.3 billion people and only seven
ensure unison in both Houses of per cent of the voice of the country. gate' an issue of concern for the en- 2024. Given the Congress’s pan-In- medals. Countries smaller than our
Parliament to corner the govern- “And we are treated as if we repre- tire opposition. This is a marked de- dia presence, even if quite weak- states and mega cities have won
ment over various issues and con- sent nobody. When the government parture from when he had made the ened lately and Rahul Gandhi’s pan- more medals than us. We can
troversies, including the con- shuts us up in Parliament, humili- Rafale deal a singular fight between India appeal, he seems to be the best rejoice at our limited achievements
tentious new farm laws and the Pe- choice the opposition has to lead the in the Tokyo Olympics, but
gasus spyware scandal. In his first
such interaction with the opposition
Earlier, the Congress MP had attended two meetings of the united opposition’s fight against
Modi and his party.
introspection is also required. We
urgently need a national mission on
after the 2019 Lok Sabha election, opposition, where parties had agreed to coordinate their While the Pegasus scandal and the Olympics, with an aim to win at
Rahul once again underlined a new- farm laws have given the opposition least 25 medals in the 2024 Paris
found readiness to take the lead in
protests in Parliament over Pegasus and the farm laws a rallying point and a weakness to Olympics and gradually increase
countering the government, as well exploit in the Modi government, this number. I wish the Parliament
as reaching out to the opposition ates us…not just humiliating us as him and Prime Minister Narendra Rahul Gandhi seems to have shed takes up this issue in the ongoing
parties. This is a seemingly new members of Parliament…they are Modi. While the cycle march from his earlier reluctance in building a monsoon session and announces it
Rahul Gandhi, who is taking active humiliating and shutting up the the Constitution Club to Parlia- rapport with senior opposition lead- with adequate funding.
charge of building opposition unity. voice of the people of India and the ment, according to reports, was ers. Political analysts are of the O Prasada Rao
The well-planned interaction over majority of the voice of India,” he added to the programme to make view that if Rahul is trying a new
breakfast with around 100 Opposi-
tion MPs from 15 parties, including
reportedly said, adding, “The more
this voice unites, the more powerful
the event a grand spectacle, the Con-
gress tried to send out a message
avatar – a leader who is not only re-
spected by his own party members, Set sights on 2024
the Congress, was followed by a sur- this voice will become and more that the event was a collective effort but also by those of other opposition Ref.: ‘In a ‘lost Olympics’,
prise cycle rally to parliament. It difficult it will become for the BJP and couldn’t have succeeded with- parties – there is also a change in rediscovery of India’ (August 9).
TTK VISIT PAYS must have been a big relief for the
Congress, given that leaders from 14
to suppress it and the RSS to sup-
press it.”
out the coordination and coopera-
tion of the opposition parties. From
the other opposition parties’ own re-
sponse to his gestures amid the
Though it was expected India
would have many more medals, we
US promises long-range arms assistance Opposition parties who were invit- Significantly, Rahul Gandhi’s out- giving equal opportunity to the in- changing political landscape in the finished with only seven, placing
ed attended the meeting, including reach to the opposition has come vitees to make a short statement country, particularly after the BJP’s 46th in the list. There is a feeling
WASHINGTON, MAY 24 (REUTER) -- The United States has leaders from the TMC, which had just a few days after Mamata Baner- during the breakfast meet to photos loss in Bengal and the Modi govern- our men and women could have
assured India that it will provide further military assistance skipped the ‘unity’ meeting called jee’s well-publicised visit to Delhi tweeted by the party’s media cell, ment’s mishandling of the second achieved many more. There are
beyond the emergency aid which it pledged after the Chinese by Rahul Gandhi two weeks ago. and her engagements with opposi- Congress leaders ensured credit to Covid wave. There seems to be a re- many areas needing lots of
attack on India last October, US officials said today. Earlier, Rahul had attended two tion leaders, including those from all. This is said to be part of a well- alisation among opposition parties improvement. That includes basic
The officials said that Shri T. T. Krishnamachari, Minister of meetings of the opposition, where the Congress. It also coincides with executed plan to keep the Congress that Modi may not be able to repeat and continuous training at the
Economic and Defence Co-ordination, had been given a clear the parties had agreed to coordinate the buzz in the opposition ranks that party at the centre of opposition 2014 or 2019 in 2024 and hence, band- highest level, to produce players
assurance on this point during his talks in Washington this week their protests in Parliament over Pe- secular parties should come togeth- politics at a time when it is grap- ing with the Congress may help de- who can sustain the pressure, stay
with top-level administration officials. The officials said that areas gasus and the farm laws. Also pres- er against the BJP, and not wait for pling with its own internal issues feat Modi. and perform. The next Olympics is
of military assistance to India where the United States clearly ent at the breakfast meeting were the Congress to set its house in or- and shrinking base in states. in 2024 and hence, there is not
would go further included road construction, the air transport leaders from the NCP and Shiv der, resolve its leadership issues and However, the Congress managed The author is an independent much time.
field generally, communications and training. Sena, with whom the Congress is in assume leadership of the opposi- to send out the subtle message to all senior journalist Vasudevan
Letters to the editor should be sent to: The Free Press Journal, Free Press House, Free Press Journal Marg, 215 Nariman Point, Mumbai. 400021; Fax: 69028020, e-mail: mail@fpj.co.in; Type letter, leave space, write your views and name. Letters may be edited for clarity and space.
MUMBAI
6 THINK BusinessLine
TUESDAY • AUGUST 10 • 2021
0
xyz
tuesday, august 10, 2021

The LLP ecosystem has been revitalised
Olympian hurdles The decriminalisation of minor defaults and addition of new concepts should incentivise limited liability partnerships
KVR MURTY ural defaults which do not involve
Efforts to improve the sport ecosystem have just fraud or intent to deceive have been
R
abindranath Tagore in his decriminalised. So far, the fear and
started showing results, but more needs to be done immortal poem Gitanjali stigma of having to face criminal
had written: “Where the prosecution for even minor de
B
ehind India’s bestever performance mind is without fear and faults acted as a disincentive for
the head is held high… my Father, budding entrepreneurs and the
with seven medals at the Olympics this
let my country awake.” youth.
year, including the first ever gold in These verses by one of India’s While the LLP Act has retained the
athletics, lies a heartwarming story of greatest minds have been the in suppleness of a traditional partner
change in the country’s sport ecosystem in spiration for the Government in its ship by allowing the partners to
which India Inc has played a major role. India pursuit to take a new and young In carry out their objects and manage
dia towards greater heights and en their governance in accordance
Incgovernment coordination has acquired a hance the quality of lives of citizens with their agreement, as a corpor
degree of professionalism in recent years. Noth by making their daily lives and busi ate vehicle LLP has threefold ad
ing symbolises the new seriousness in India’s nesses more productive, easier and vantages over a partnership simpli
approach to Olympics in particular and sport in stress free. citer — that is, unlike a partnership,
During the last seven years, a host LLP has a separate legal identity, dis
general this year than the conspicuous absence of bold and transformative initiat tinct from its partners; it allows the
of a large official contingent led by the Sports ives targeted towards corporates, liability of the partners to remain The amended LLP Act will encourage unincorporated units to shift to an organised LLP form of business structure AFP
Minister — which was the norm in the past. In the common citizens and the youth limited to the extent of their contri
the 2016 Rio Olympics, the then Sports Minister, associated with them have been bution; and it has a perpetual sector accounts for about 75 per ate foreign partners in the process when it comes to dealing with
taken. succession. cent of the LLPs, the industrial sec of nomination of a resident desig fraudulent actions of the corpor
leading an oversized entourage, was censured
Another pathbreaking step has Historically, the vehicle of LLP tor 23 per cent, and about 1.75 per nated partner in the LLP as also pro ates, the period of imprisonment in
by the organisers for “unacceptable behaviour”. now been taken by the Govern first gained relevance in the US, to cent of the LLPs are working in the fessionals who travel frequently case of fraud has been increased
This time Kiren Rijiju, who till recently was Min ment. After a span of more than a provide the benefit of limited liabil agricultural sector. even as they run their LLPs. from two years to five years.
ister of Youth Affairs and Sports, did not go to decade, the Limited Liability Part ity to professional firms, which This Bill has therefore, rightly, in This Bill rides on the regulatory The Bill represents an earnest re
the Tokyo Olympics. He rightly decided that nership Act, 2008 (LLP Act) has been could not organise themselves as troduced new concepts of ‘small architecture created under the form brought in by the Govern
amended for the first time, with the companies. It was the Naresh LLP’ and ‘startup LLP’, to provide be Companies Act, insofar as it lever ment, which has taken a frontline
what the Indian contingent needed was not an passage of the LLP (Amendment) Chandra Committee which, in its nefits of lesser compliances, lesser ages the concept of Special Courts, position to bring about greater
official delegation but additional support staff Bill, 2021 in Parliament. report submitted in 2003, had ini fees and lesser penalties in case of already designated under the Com ‘Ease of Doing Business’ for the law
such as coaches, doctors and physiotherapists. The amendments are primarily tially recommended that there minor violations by such classes of panies Act for speedier trial of of abiding corporates, by creating a fa
States such as Odisha, Pun aimed at decriminalisation of two should be a law for establishing LLPs. fences under the LLP Act, and cre cilitative environment which al
thirds of the compoundable of LLPs in India. The quantum of additional fees, ation of an internal adjudication lows doing of business without un
Scan & Share jab, Haryana and Delhi have fences involving minor procedural in case of delayed filings, had got mechanism by appointment of ad necessary threat of prosecution.
devoted resources to boost or technical defaults, akin to the Gaining traction hardcoded in the LLP Act in 2008 judicating officers for dealing with The passage of this Bill represents
ing sport infrastructure, be process of decriminalisation car In India, the vehicle of LLP has and was the source of much agony violations by levying civil penalties, a watershed moment for the busi
sides tying up with corpor ried out under the Com gained a lot of traction for many LLPs, which had to pay a postdecriminalisation. ness community in the country, as
panies Act, 2013 based on during the last few years. large amount on account of addi the reform of decriminalisation has
atesponsored initiatives
the recommendations by Scan & Share This is evident from the tional fees for delayed filings. Prescribing standards been carried out in respect the two
such as JSW Sports headed by the Company Law Com fact that the number of In a significant relief, now, the Considering that public interest most important business entities of
Parth Jindal, Olympic Gold mittee, while at the same active LLPs have risen to Government would exercise may also get involved after an LLP the organised sector — company
Quest founded by sporting legends Geeth Sethi time promoting ‘Ease of 2,13,014. There has been powers to provide the quantum of attains a particular size, a new pro and the LLP. It is expected that this
and Prakash Padukone, GoSports Foundation Doing Business’ for LLPs. an annual growth of additional fee through rules, vision allows the Central Govern reform would give rise to a more or
This would provide a about 17 per cent in the thereby allowing itself the judg ment to prescribe the Standards of ganised economy and spur growth,
which is promoted by Rahul Dravid and P strong incentive for the number of LLPs incorpor ment to fix it for a class of LLPs, Accounting or Standards of Audit so that we can achieve the goal of a
Gopichand. The Odisha Government, which has unorganised unincorpor ated during the fiscal based on size. ing for such LLPs. $5 trillion economy.
sponsored the men’s and women’s hockey ated types of businesses to shift to year 20202021. A lot of these LLPs Besides this, the minimum cri Underlining the approach of the
teams since 2018, has played a key role in India’s an organised incorporated LLP are part of the MSME sector, and teria to qualify as a “resident in In Government that decriminalisa The writer is Joint Secretary, Ministry
form of business structure now many are run by budding entre dia” has been reduced from 180 tion should not be seen as dilution of Corporate Affairs. The views are
hockey revival. The fact that nine out of the 16 that minor technical and proced preneurs as startups. The services days to 120 days. This would facilit of the enforcement mechanism personal.
member Indian women’s hockey squad, includ
ing the skipper Rani Rampal, hail from Haryana,
Supporting growth outweighs inflation unease

tells us what a push to sport can achieve. Their
performance is also a story of grit against ad
versity — social and economic — in an acutely
patriarchal milieu.
Rijiju aligned the activities of the Centre’s
flagship sporting policy ‘Target Olympic Po But as economic uncertainty reduces, producers may start hiking prices, pushing up non-food inflation
dium Scheme (TOPS)’ under the Ministry of balanced. Worryingly, the Commit to December 31, 2021. Given the high the subsequent fortnightly auc
RAMNATH KRISHNAN
Youth Affairs and Sports with different profes tee has forecast inflation at 5.9 per systemic liquidity and muted credit tions. It has now been decided to
I
sional corporate bodies to hone the crème de la n its August 2021 policy review, cent in Q2 FY22 and 5.8 per cent in growth, the demand from banks step up the amount of the fort
crème of about 200 sportsmen for the world’s the Monetary Policy Commit Q4, alarmingly close to the 6 per under this scheme has been rather nightly VRRR auctions from ₹2.5 tril
tee (MPC) maintained status cent upper threshold, which is subdued at ₹53.2 billion. Increment lion on August 13 to ₹4 trillion on
premier sporting event in Tokyo. TOPS and ‘Kh
quo on the policy rate in a un likely to keep the markets on the ally, as the funding rates in the September 24.
elo India’, another programme launched by the animous decision, which was a fore edge. money market are much lower than The central bank has emphasised
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to revive gone conclusion given the tentat The revival in the monsoon has the repo rate, this extension in the that the enhanced VRRR auctions
sports culture in India, have worked in coordin iveness of the economic growth boosted kharif sowing and supply deadline is unlikely to result in a should not be misinterpreted as a
ation with corporatefunded initiatives. But momentum. side measures taken by the Govern meaningful demand from banks. reversal of the accommodative
It also voted to continue with the ment have softened the prices of ed Moreover, the deadline for the policy stance. With the substantial
while the top talent is now getting the attention accommodative stance for as long ible oils and pulses. Accordingly, the achievement of financial paramet surplus in systemic liquidity, the
Inflation is inching up ISTOCK
it requires, India is still not doing enough to as necessary to revive and sustain outlook for food inflation appears ers under Resolution Framework 1.0 gradual incremental absorption
augment sport infrastructure to spur fresh tal growth on a durable basis and con relatively benign. However, once As domestic demand strengthens has been deferred to October 1, 2022, through VRRR should not materi
ent. A Budgetary allocation of ₹2,596 crore to tinue to mitigate the impact of rising vaccine coverage reduces eco and starts seeping into inflationary from March 31, 2022, given the ad ally impact the nearterm rates.
Covid19 on the economy, while en nomic uncertainty, producers may pressures, the MPC will have to shift verse impact of the second wave of However, the new benchmark 10
wards sport for FY 202122, 8 per cent below the suring that inflation remains shake off their current trepidation its focus to the anchoring of infla Covid on the corporate borrowers’ year Gsec (6.10 GS 2031) yield may
previous year, is a pittance in relation to the within the target, going forward. towards hiking prices, pushing up tionary expectations from the over recovery. To address this stress, the continue to creep up, with the aver
kind of infrastructure that India requires to However, this vote was not unanim nonfood inflation towards the end arching preservation of growth. RBI has announced a relaxation in age CPI inflation for FY22 projected
spread its net wide for the next Olympics. In ous (5:1), revealing the underlying of the year. Based on this, ICRA anticipates a the sector specific thresholds in re close to the upper threshold of the
unease on the inflation outlook. Simultaneously, the MPC has re change in the stance to neutral from spect of four out of the five ratios 26 per cent medium term target,
dia’s sports bodies are riddled with politics, cor
For the Indian economy, Q1 tained its June forecast for the FY22 accommodative in the February that are linked to the operational and a budgeted fiscal deficit of 6.8
ruption and nepotism and need a cleanup. The FY2022 was challenging to say the real GDP expansion of 9.5 per cent. 2022 policy review, followed by a performance of the restructured en per cent of GDP.
56 National Sports Federations, eligible to re least. Vaccine optimism in ad Interestingly, the quarterly projec hike in the repo rate of 25 basis tities. Following the policy announce
ceive financial and other assistance from the vanced economies caused global tions have undergone a consider points (bps) each in the April and ICRA estimates the overall corpor ment, the 10year yield had risen by
government, continue to be run by politicians. commodity prices to soar. At the able revision. Despite the second June 2022 reviews. ate restructuring at around ₹700 almost 5 bps intraday. Sub
same time, the second wave of wave and the gradual rise in vaccine billion or 0.7 per cent of the loan sequently, the entire notified
India has miles to go, but a humble beginning Covid necessitated Statewise re coverage, the growth estimate for Q1 Liquidity support book of banks. The relaxation amount of ₹140 billion for the 10
has been made. strictions, generating domestic sup has been revised upwards, suggest As expected, the liquidity support provided by the RBI will provide year paper was cancelled in the G
ply constraints. A combination of ing that the extent of the shock was measures announced by the RBI some relief to these borrowers by sec auction held on August 6,, after
these factors led the CPI inflation to not as much as previously feared. were largely incremental in nature, giving them more time to meet the which its yield retreated somewhat.
breach the upper threshold of the Nevertheless, this has been rebal following the broadbased support requisite thresholds. In the absence of its inclusion in li
MPC’s medium term target range of anced by a lowering of the growth to the acutely affected sectors seen The RBI had commenced normal quidity operations, the benchmark
30/30: THREE DECADES OF REFORMS RAVIKANTH 26 per cent in both May and June.
Following this spike, the MPC has
projections for the subsequent
three quarters, implying that pent
in the past few policies. For instance,
the RBI has decided to extend the op
liquidity operations, with a resump
tion of the 14day variable rate re
yield may remain volatile, rising to
as much as 6.35 per cent by the end
considerably raised its forecast for up demand is unlikely to emerge as erating period for the ₹1 trillion On verse repo (VRRR) operations since of this quarter.
the FY22 CPI inflation to 5.7 per cent a big driver of growth going for Tap Targeted LongTerm Repo Oper January 15, 2021, for an amount of ₹2
from 5.1 per cent, with risks broadly ward. ations (TLTRO) scheme by a quarter trillion, that has been rolled over in The writer is President Ratings, ICRA
LET TERS TO THE EDITOR Send your letters by email to bleditor@thehindu.co.in or by post to ‘Letters to the Editor’, The Hindu Business Line, Kasturi Buildings, 859860, Anna Salai, Chennai 600002.
Crop insurance make the PM Fasal Bima Yojana phase of an uncertain global eco has to drastically contain the pan Viable airline
Apropos ‘Are farmers reaping be more effective. nomy, cost reduction, higher pro demic and enforce further eco This refers to ‘Flying cheap’ (Au
nefits of PM Fasal Bima Yojana?’ Katuru Durga Prasad Rao ductivity and sales acumen will nomic and taxation reforms to im gust 9). With the collapse of many
(August 9), getting the crop insur Hyderabad dictate even more the success of prove the ease of doing business airlines in the last two decades,
ance claims at the right time is not any scheme. and attract capital for invest there is a yawning gap waiting to
happening for varied reasons. Steel PLI R Narayanan ments. be filled by intrepid and astute in
These include cultivators’ ignor This refers to ‘Will PLI scheme for Navi Mumbai VSK Pillai vestors.
ance or lack of awareness, delayed specialty steel deliver?’ (August 9). Changanacherry, Kerala They will need to find the secret
lodging of claims, poor coordina This initiative to incentivise pro Excess liquidity sauce to offer a viable service for
tion amongst State government duction of special steel is timely. This refers to ‘RBI’s sanguine Private trains the long term without being hurt
agencies, and the lack of speedy The global special steel market is stance’ (August 9). Keeping the This refers to ‘Is the dream of run by the inflexible cost structure.
settlement of the claims by insur forecast to sharply rise between policy rate rate unchanged would ning private trains going off Let's hope that Rakesh Jhun
ance companies. 2021 and 2027. While these are be beneficial to the growth of in track?’ (August 9). Allowing the jhunwala can set an example with
The district rural development premium products, the bulk of vestments. The excess liquidity private sector to operate on 100 Akasa on how to start and run an
agencies and the district collectors consumption is on regular grades available in the banking system odd routes is indeed a welcome airline true to its label of an ultra
should be more proactive, by col and it is the revenue thereof that must be judiciously deployed for move but it should not go the Air lowcost airline.
lecting the names of cultivators in would feed the diversification into production of goods and services India way. Ultimately, it has to be a Given the size and diversity of
the affected mandals and submit special classes. and not for speculative purposes. winwin for both private operators the market, we deserve a flourish
ting the consolidated claims to the A global spurt in infra spending The recent enthusiasm in the as well as passengers. ing aviation sector with multiple
insurance companies promptly. is pushing up the demand for primary and secondary markets is Considering that Indian Rail segments and operators offering
This will help the insurance firms steel. Astute management of steel due not only to the optimism on ways will also operate on those services at different tiers.
settle the claims and pass on the exports at negotiated prices and the economy but also to the easy same routes and possibly at The government must do its
amounts to the farmers for meet tariffs over a long timeframe is vi flow of the excess liquidity avail cheaper fares, all issues need to be part to enable healthy operations
ing their living expenses and go tal. This also applies to import of able in the banking system. discussed before the private sector with sufficient competition to be
ing ahead with cultivation for the quality coal and ore. Also, there’s a To get optimum results from the is allowed to operate. nefit the average Indian flyer.
next season. The Centre has to fo need for a bigger thrust in R&D to monetary policy and other meas Bal Govind Anand Srinivasan
cus on these issues if it intends to produce steel for the future. In the ures of the RBI, the government Noida Bengaluru
Published by N. Ravi at Kasturi Buildings, 859 & 860, Anna Salai, Chennai-600002 and Printed by N. Vaidyanathan at Dangat Media Pvt Ltd, No. 22, Dighe MIDC, Vishnu Nagar, TTC Industrial Area, Dighe, Navi Mumbai-400701 on behalf of THG PUBLISHING PVT LTD., Chennai-600002. Group Editorial Officer: Krishna Prasad. Editor: Raghuvir Srinivasan (Editor responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act). ISSN 0971 - 7528
CM . ..... .... ...BM-BME

YK
MUMBAI
BusinessLine
TUESDAY • AUGUST 10 • 2021 THINK 7
An urban job guarantee scheme is the need of the hour

Millions of urban Indian residents are struggling without livelihood opportunities. A national urban employment scheme needs to be put in place immediately
and JanuaryMarch 2021. force. The conditions of young their already abysmally low the insufficient spending by
Now we also have evidence wouldbe workers was even levels. the Centre — that it has been
from the official surveys con worse: more than a quarter of This is the depressing con all but impossible to do any
ducted by the National young men and more than text within which it is now ab thing that would have a suffi
Sample Survey Organisation. onethird of young women solutely imperative to take ur cient impact on the ground.
The quarterly Periodic Labour were openly unemployed at a gent action to guarantee Despite that, the efforts by
Force Surveys were brought in time when the economy was urban employment. The good the State governments of Ker
CP CHANDRASHEKHAR JAYATI GHOSH specifically to provide “real supposedly recovering from news is that this is both feas ala, Jharkhand, Himachal Pra
time” evidence on the state of the lockdown. ible and affordable, and ex desh, Odisha and Madhya Pra
MACROSCAN the labour market in India, This dramatic deteriora amples and templates for desh, suggest that there are
but the results have been very tion of labour market condi such a law and programme initiatives that could be built
delayed in coming in. tions would inevitably affect already exist. upon and improved.
A
t long last — and vious to the central govern Nevertheless, the latest re workers’ earnings. We do not In addition, some very vi
more than a year ment from the very start of the port pertaining to July yet have data on wages for the State govt initiatives able templates for an urban
after the need for brutal and unplanned na September 2020 does provide period JulySeptember 2020, Some State governments have employment programme
such a scheme be tional lockdown from late evidence of the damage but the annual PLFS report attempted to bring in urban have been developed by the
came obvious — a Parliament March 2020, which stretched caused to employment and Helping hand Urban workers are in dire straits SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR
already provides a chilling de employment schemes on Centre for Sustainable Em
ary committee has recom well beyond initial expecta livelihood during the first scription (Figure 4). Over their own, but they are so ployment at Azim Premji Uni
mended the institution of an tions and damaged or des wave of the Covid19 pan AprilJune 2020, not only did cashstrapped — especially versity. Now there are really no
urban employment scheme troyed livelihoods especially demic and the first national Status. Both male and female ure 2). This is hardly a sign of employment go down, but so after the additional pan more excuses not to under
at the national level. of informal workers and the lockdown. employment rates in urban labour market dynamism; did the money wages of causal demicrelated expenditures take this exercise on an imme
The Standing Committee urban poor. But next to noth Despite some recovery after India, which in the immediate more a reflection of the com workers, which declined on that were thrust on them by diate and urgent basis.
on Labour stated in its report ing was done, and the few October 2020, the employ prepandemic period were plete absence of other em average and particularly for
of August 3, 2021 that “there is paltry relief measures that ment situation is likely to have already lower than historical ployment opportunities. women.
an imperative need for put have been provided over the deteriorated further after the rates, fell sharply in AprilJune In addition, the report also
ting in place an Employment past year have proved to be second wave of early 2021. 2020. Even in JulySeptember The young hit hard notes that the number of days
Guarantee Programme for the wholly inadequate to address Figure 1 presents the recog 2020 they remained signific This is confirmed by the signi worked declined substan
urban workforce in line with the massive scale of employ nised work participation rate, antly below the prepandemic ficant increase in open unem tially, which would further re
MGNREGA.” ment and income loss. or employment rate, over the level, as much as 13 per cent ployment rates in urban duce the total wage earnings.
(Incidentally, the Commit quarters from JulySeptember lower for women. areas, which have spiralled Note that this entire period
tee also came down on the Surveys galore 2019 to JulySeptember 2020. But even this partial recov upwards well beyond the his has been one of increasing
central government for fail Surveys conducted by private These rates are according to ery in employment rates is torical highs that were so prices of essentials, with food
ing to collect data on the num agencies like the CMIE had Current Weekly Status (which misleading, because it was es widely discussed from in the prices alone going up at an an
ber and conditions of migrant already indicated truly dra records the activity status on sentially due to a fairly big in 201718 labour force survey. nual rate of around 6 per cent.
workers, who experienced matic job losses in urban In any average day over the previ crease in the number of un Figure 3 shows that open un So real wages would have de
such suffering during the first dia over the past year, account ous week, including both paid workers who helped in employment in JulySeptem clined even more. The earn
lockdown.) ing for around 65 per cent of principal and subsidiary activ their family enterprises (like ber 2020, postlockdown, ac ings of selfemployed de
The pressing need for an the estimated job losses of ities), which is a better meas small shops and the like) — counted for nearly 13 per cent clined even more, going down
urban employment pro nearly 20 million jobs lost ure of actual demand in the la once again, dominantly of men and 16 per cent of wo by 20 per cent for men and 10
gramme should have been ob between JanuaryMarch 2020 bour market than the Usual among women workers (Fig men in the urban labour per cent for women, from
SHORT TAKE
BusinessLine
Democrats All you wanted to know about... TWENTY YEARS AGO TODAY
unveil details need not have a bank account.
Since it is generated both as an
SMS and a QR code, eRUPI can be
beneficiaries money through
their bank accounts. But many
poor people do not have bank ac
for both individuals and
taxpayers.
As a tax payer, it is your money
August 10, 2001
Reforms at our own pace, says Sinha
of $3.5-t bill used even by those with a basic
feature phone. Estimates suggest
counts. The Jan Dhan Yojana saw
many bank accounts opened but
that is spent by the government
on welfare schemes. With a tar
The Government today struck a defiant note over the
downgrading of India’s sovereign rating by international
D emocrats in the US Senate on
Monday released some de
tails of the $3.5 trillion bill ad
that there are close to 400 million
feature phone users in India, who
would ordinarily be kept out of
the issue of notsopoor people
opening and or operating such
accounts came to the fore.
geted and specific system like e
RUPI, you would be getting more
bang for your buck. Leakages cut
rating agencies, Standard and Poor's and Moody's, with
the Finance Minister, Mr Yashwant Sinha, declaring that
the Government would pursue economic reforms “at our
dressing social spending and im KUMAR SHANKAR ROY any techheavy cashless digital Also the treatment meted out to the minimum will mean that own pace.” “We will carry out the reforms agenda
migration that they aim to push payment solution since these re to the poor by banks was not ex only intended beneficiaries get without being hostage to anyone,” he said after a
through after passing the bipar SLATE quire an Internetenabled smart actly great everywhere. subsidies. This should help the meeting with the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India,
tisan $1 trillion infrastructure phone. With eRUPI these users/ The third issue is that welfare government save money and fine Dr Bimal Jalan, in the Finance Ministry.
bill. beneficiaries can redeem the funds sent for buying food could tune spending. Citibank goes for single management set-up
T
The first details of the larger he government on Au voucher without a card, digital be used for other purposes. e eRUPI could be a harbinger to Citibank India has restructured its management setup.
bill — a key goal for progressive gust 2 launched eRUPI, payments app, or internet bank RUPI hopes to obviate most of how economic benefits, not just The bank today said it has simplified its management
Democrats — showed that it a cashless and contact ing access. And the best part is, these problems. Beneficiaries government doles, will hence structure and moved towards a singular reporting
would provide tax incentives for less instrument for di the uptake of any benefit can be need not rely on bank accounts forth be passed on. Though e system for its corporate and consumer banking
“clean” manufacturing, make gital payment. eRUPI vouchers tracked down to the very last and can access government bene RUPI is not a digital currency, its businesses. Earlier, these businesses operated
community college free for two are expected to play a big role in mile. fits with a simple phone. There is model can be used to deliver an independently reporting directly to the region's
years and provide a pathway to making Direct Benefit Transfer eRUPI can ensure the money is no paperwork or signature re economic benefit for a specific functional heads. Under the new structure, Mr Nanoo G.
citizenship for millions of im (DBT) schemes more effective spent exactly on what it was given quirement. Each eRUPI transac purpose to a specified beneficiary. Pamnani, CEO and Head of Consumer Banking of
migrant workers. given the apparent problems of for — healthcare, food etc. Plus, tion is a onetime thing. In this way, the payer always has Citibank in India, will now be responsible for Citibank's
The first bill,which sits atop leakage, low visibility and last the spending facility can be made So, the problems of benefits be visibility over the beneficiary and activities in the region as cluster head of Citibank's
Democratic President Joe Biden's mile delivery of welfare pay timebound to ensure no abuse/ ing siphoned off are rare. Queues, benefit. Imagine a world where corporate and consumer banking businesses in India, Sri
domestic agenda and includes ments. misuse. The National Payments middlemen and touts are also donations given by you online Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal.
$550 billion in new spending on Corporation of India (NPCI), avoided. At the time of use, an can be tracked down to the last Frequent flying babus to become extinct
roads, bridges and internet ac What is it which developed Unified Pay OTP will be required for proceed paisa. The frequent flying plans of many a babu in Raisina Hill
cess, cleared an important pro eRUPI is a prepaid voucher ments Interface (UPI) platform ing with the eRUPI payment and have been grounded with the Government deciding to
cedural hurdle late on Sunday which can be used to avail spe and the BHIM App, has developed thus the intended beneficiary Bottomline dispense with the practice of holding negotiations
when the Senate voted 6928 in cified government services. It is a eRUPI. will be in control, mostly. eRUPI is a hop, skip and jump pertaining to World Bankfunded projects in Washington.
support of the provisions con QR code or SMS stringbased e ahead of direct benefit transfers. Instead, such parleys will henceforth be held within the
tained in the 2,702page plan. voucher. So, it can be delivered to Why is it important Why should I care country, except for the odd project or two, senior
The Senate also voted 6829 to the mobile phone of the intended Under direct benefit transfer re If successfully implemented, e A weekly column that puts the fun Government officials confirmed today.
limit further debate to a max beneficiary, so the benficiary gime, the government sends the RUPI should make things better into learning
imum of 30 hours, setting up a
potential vote on passage early
on Tuesday on the package, the
result of months of bipartisan
negotiations.
The massive spending bill is easy bl two-way crossword 1942 not so easy
popular among many law
makers in both parties because ACROSS DOWN ACROSS DOWN
of the federal dollars it would de 01. Compositions for ensemble 02. Pays attention to (5) 01. Potty notes produced by string 02. Man's embracing top journo
liver to their home states. Polls playing (7,5) 03. Grizzled, complained (6) quartet? (7,5) one takes notice of (5)
also show that Americans at 08. Ready to be led (8) 04. Funeral oration (6) 08. Ready to be won over, has
large are supportive of it. But the 03. Was grumbling about a
09. Flatter in servile way (4) 05. Race official (7) Alma been dancing? (8)
moment of bipartisanship that demon (6)
11. Come after, result (5) 06. Considered attentively (12) 09. Try to flatter a deer when it's
produced it was likely to be fleet 07. Caused to assume bodily 04. Praise for guy? Olé! (6)
12. Cartilage in meat (7) young (4)
ing as Democrats prepare to turn form (12)
13. Religious picture (4) 11. It will follow the men sued for 05. First course for one who'll say
their attention next to the larger 10. Vertical surface on aircraft
15. Let fall (4) holding it (5) 'On your marks' (7)
bill, which they aim to pass over
19. Not metaphorical (7) tail (3) 12. Girl set about it, but found it
Republican objections using a 06. Can't do pelmet otherwise,
20. Decorative perennial 14. Stare one down (7) hard to chew (7)
parliamentary maneuver called having thought about it (12)
herbaceous plant (5) 16. Examine with impertinent 13. One to study one uncritically
“budget reconciliation”. 07. It is real, made as it assumed
22. Chastise (4) curiosity (3) admired (4)
Democrats are aiming to de bodily form (12)
23. Keep in existence (8) 17. Old twoshilling piece (6) 15. Doctor going to work must let
bate and pass this nonbinding
resolution in coming days, 24. Thrashing, severe scolding 18. Pursued (6) it go (4) 10. When French film ends it's a
which would serve as a frame (84) 21. Drinkingtube (5) 19. Not being figurative, the bit fishy (3)
work for more detailed, binding wrong letter appears in type 14. Cut a foe out or stare one
legislation later this year. Repub (7) down (7)
licans have strenuously objected SOLUTION: BL Two-way Crossword 1941 20. Entertainer is given a 16. Be nosey as to parking on the
to the size and cost of the follow flowering plant (5) railway (3)
up package. The ambitious goals ACROSS 1. Barrow 8. Pause 9. Blunder 11. Delivery 12. Stage 15. Raid 22. To apply makeup with the
of this budget plan will be re 16. Act 17.0ust 19. Handy 21. Building 24. Traitor 25. Loose 26. Bundle 17. It was ten to the pound, but
open hand is hard (4)
viewed by the Senate parliament DOWN 2. Ablet 3. Renegade 4. Weed 5. Split 6. Fume 7. Demy 10. goes for nil nowadays (6)
23. Keep some jam or pickle, say
arian, who has the power to strip Reluctant 12. Surf 13. Donation 14. Stay 18. Idler 20. Droll 21. Bulk 22. 18. Ran after it was engraved (6)
(8)
out provisions found to be at Iron 23. Grab
24. Severe reprimand for getting 21. Use it to drink and give rise to
odds with Senate rules. The full vinaigrette on feathers (84) skin blemishes (5)
Senate, however, could vote to
overrule such decisions. REUTERS
CM .. . .. .. .....BM-BME
YK
16 TUESDAY, 10 AUGUST 2021
NEW DELHI VIEWS LIVEMINT.COM
OUR VIEW MY VIEW | BARE TALK

HT
Uncaging the Indian tiger from

attestations and thumb prints
Digital advances must help us end the tyranny of endless paper trails in our compliance procedures
ument storage, The impact on the ‘ease fication is made to the state of the
of living’ in India has been nothing short concerned director’s domicile. This
of revolutionary. In almost all these request goes to a police station in the
cases, it has been the Union govern- appropriate jurisdiction that performs a
ment alone that has been the driving Know-Your-Customer (KYC) check.
force behind digital enablement. The information then presumably flows
However, the same cannot be said on back to the licence-issuing state. This
the ‘ease of doing business’ front. Our entire process is inefficient, time-con-
businesses collectively deal with 1,536 suming, wasteful and inexplicable,
V. ANANTHA NAGESWARAN & Acts, 69,233 compliances and 6,618 when all the required information
SANJAY ANANDARAM filings. Given our federal polity, while already exists in digital form in different
are, respectively, a member of the the Centre may propose any model law data repositories for Aadhaar, PAN,
Economic Advisory Council to the Prime or procedure, it is left to the states to passport details, IT returns, etc. Police
Minister and a volunteer, iSpirt Foundation dispose of them as they see fit. PSARA is databases can confirm any criminal
A caste census will serve

a case in point. India’s private security antecedents of directors. Integrating
services industry is governed by the e-signatures is also possible. All it takes
Private Security Agencies Regulation is for the central online portal to provide
O
n 2 August, e-Rupi, a voucher- Act (PSARA), 2005, a model Central Act secure access to states and for the states
based, pre-paid, contactless, that lays down rules for the private secu- to use digital means to complete their
no clear worthy purpose cashless digital payments solu-

tion was launched by Prime Minister
Narendra Modi. This pre-paid voucher
is provided directly to beneficiaries via a
rity services industry in India. This is an
industry that employs about 9 million
people, the second most after agricul-
ture, with a compound annual growth
verification of a PSARA application.
Clearly, the digital capacity of states
in terms of their awareness and readi-
ness to deploy solutions needs to be sig-
QR code or SMS and doesn’t require an rate of 20% in the past decade, as noted nificantly enhanced for the benefits of
internet connection, a smartphone, or by a Federation of Indian Chambers of digitization to flow to businesses.
Caste enumeration could meet political ends but is unlikely to improve welfare programmes. an app, and, most importantly, is person Commerce and Industry report. We picked this example for illustra-
and purpose dependent. The service However, an applicant—say, a com- tion because one of us had to go through
The enunciation of this identity would make it harder to minimize its role and erase divisions provider gets paid in a timely manner, pany—needs to apply for a licence from this process recently. The same can be
as there is no intermediary, but only each state in order to operate there. And said of many requirements that banks
after providing the service—medical what might such a licence application still have, even though they have KYC
care, medicines, nutritional support, typically entail? Two copies of a form to data on customers. Despite having an
A
s we resume field work for the now classified as Other Backward Classes at books, subsidies, etc—by redeeming the be filled and signed in five places by each existing relationship, to open a new
national census of 2021 after this 52% of India’s population, a figure that is often e-voucher that’s been paid for by the company director, along with a photo- account or arrangement, they want all
sponsor, such as the government, a graph, an affidavit with two signatures, that information, self-attested or nota-
summer’s covid disruption, a disputed today. As the fairness of reservation philanthropic foundation, or a private- two thumb impressions, self-attested rized, all over again. They even want a
face-off between opposition slice-ups has been a matter of contention, per- sector Corporate Social Responsibility copies of the company director’s PAN ‘cancelled cheque’, although many of us
parties and the ruling Bharatiya haps a clearer picture would aid policymakers. initiative. This transparent and ‘leak- and Aadhaar cards, and passport copies have switched to making payments
Janata Party (BJP) seems to be Such knowledge, it has been argued, will help proof’ e-voucher promises to extend the (for address and ID proof), a letter to through electronic means. So, such an
in the making—over caste enumeration. The the country assure better life outcomes for the possibilities of direct benefit transfer the police station, and letters from two untrusting and document-obsessed
(DBT) programmes quite dramatically. fellow citizens in testimony to the mindset is not the unique prerogative or
Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, Rash- disadvantaged. In 2011, the aim of achieving Over the past decade or so, India has director’s good conduct. Some states fetish of governments.
triya Janata Dal and even BJP-ally Janata Dal clarity had led India’s previous Congress-led embraced digital technology to effect a may require the director to physically We hypothesize that our underlying
(United) want it done. Population figures for administration to conduct a Socio-Economic societal transformation through the present oneself in front of the local mag- malady is that the formal sector in India
different caste groups, they argue, will help Caste Census, but it never released its findings. timely, low-cost, transparent and effi- istrate or perhaps have a Gazetted Offi- operates with a low trust quotient. The
identify inequities suffered by classes deemed In 2015, the BJP-led government released all its cient delivery of services to hundreds cer sign the forms. Online applications behaviour of a few subjects the many to
of millions of needy beneficiaries. The are allowed in a few states but are com- the tyranny of compliance and control.
backward and aim our welfare policies better. data except on caste numbers, which it with- private sector too has been co-opted as a plicated to use. An online national portal We need to use technology smartly to
The legislative assembly of Bihar, a state headed held, citing discrepancies. partner for payments. Examples abound for filing PSARA applications has been break out of this mindset—in and out-
by BJP ally Nitish Kumar, has even passed a Political parties that use caste platforms and from DBTs and bill payments to vehicle operational since 2019. A licence appli- side governments—for India to become
resolution in favour of including caste as a data calculations for electoral appeal have an obvi- registrations, passports, rail bookings, cation for operating in a state is scruti- a productive, non-inflationary and
field to be filled in the process of this all-India ous interest in obtaining updated numbers. vaccinations, pensions, e-tolls, taxes, nized by the concerned home depart- prosperous country.
ration-card portability and verified doc- ment and then a request for police veri- These are the authors’ personal views.
headcount done every decade. Any enumera- Whether it will also serve the broader interests
tion of caste, however, requires the enunciation of the country well, however, is far from clear. It
of such identities by people. Therein lies the is true that religious affiliation is on our census
rub. If the Centre has rebuffed entreaties to form. But caste differs in a crucial aspect. To
count Indians by caste, it may well have both minimize its role in society, given its widely-
practical and substantive reasons for it. seen baleful effects, we have long had a national
Given the pace at which key appointments consensus of sorts that it must be weakened. www.livemint.com New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Chandigarh*, Pune* Wednesday, August 10, 2011 Vol.5 No.189 `3.00 32
24 PAGES
+ 4 MARKETS PAGES
for the sprawling exercise have been made in The state asking everyone for data on it would EDUCATION: Answer sheets
can now be made public >7
EARNINGS: Satyam posts profit;
firm says on recovery track >8
states, the government seems in some haste to reinforce this particular identity. Hardened EXCLUSIVE PARTNER
NATION: CAG report indicts Maharashtra
govt, defence establishment >6
WSJ: China inflation hits
three-year high in July >20
make up for lost time. Any tweak of our census identities also tend to create social cleavages SENSEX 16,857.91 æ 132.27 NIFTY 5,072.85 æ 45.65 DOLLAR `45.21 Æ `0.24 EURO `64.35 Æ `0.57
Coming into
GOLD `25,805 Æ `875 OIL $104.72 æ $1.47
Paperwork is the
FERTILIZER PLAY QUICK EDIT
FOUR YEARS OF CRISIS
India seeks his own as a A breather

The Western financial crisis began four years ago, when French bank BNP Paribas
said on 9 August that investors could no longer withdraw money from three funds
questionnaire at this stage would cause a delay of the kind we must close. The persistence of central banker for India
that had invested in subprime mortgages and the money markets froze in panic.
The market convulsions this month showed that the world economy is not out of
danger, despite huge monetary and fiscal stimulus programmes.
stake in I
And public spending has soared BANKER’S TRUST f there is one ray of
Global interest rates have light from the mayhem
been pushed down US budget deficit (in %) TAMAL BANDYOPADHYAY
2007 2011 in the markets, it’s the
embalming fluid of
US Fed funds rate on 8 Aug (in %) falling price of crude oil.
-2.32
T en days after D. Subbarao Brent crude prices fell
we cannot afford. More importantly, such a sig- caste identification has another effect that is
took over as Reserve below $100 per barrel
Belaruskali
Bank of India (RBI) governor briefly during intraday
0.25 Note: Figures are in September 2008, US trade on Tuesday.
5.25 a percentage of -8.09 investment bank Lehman
gross domestic For an oil-addicted
2007 2011 product Brothers Holdings Inc. country such as India,
collapsed, leading to an this gives the government
But equity markets have And easy money has pushed unprecedented global credit a breather in managing
continued to flounder up commodity prices crunch, something not seen
104.72 its oil finances.
Stake of up to 25% may government of Belarus, which Dow Sensex Brent crude 69.55 since 1930. Subbarao got a Then, maybe not.
nificant shift would need deliberation, the out- not always easily visible. When caste myths get
(on 8 Aug) (on 8 Aug)
bureaucracy, maintaining
($ per barrel)
cost $7 billion as govt has been hit by a severe cur-
rent account deficit that led to
(on 8 Aug)
two-year extension as India’s
chief money man on Tuesday,
Most assumptions
behind the growth figures
seeks tie-ups abroad; its currency being devalued by 15,307
16,990 roughly a month ahead of the assume oil prices to be in
Russia and China 36% in May. 13,657 2007 2011 date on which his term comes the $100-110 range for
The government could ei- 10,809 to an end. And it comes at a 2011-12. This math was
could give competition ther acquire the stake itself or Meanwhile, India and 32.4 time when global markets about to go wrong and
make a joint bid with a consor- China have continued have been reeling from the with under-recoveries
B Y A MAN M ALIK tium of private fertilizer com- 2007 2011 2007 2011 to outperform the US impact of an equally unique out of hand, the
aman.m@livemint.com panies, said one of the two development—the downgrade government very
come of which would be impractical to wait for. mapped onto skill perceptions, a phenomenon
(GDP growth 2008-2011)
························· ministry officials cited earlier. While money has rushed to of the US’ AAA credit rating, reluctantly, raised fuel
NEW DELHI “The most important thing is safe havens such as gold 24.04 a status the country has prices.
I
an appearance of life
ndia is looking to acquire a the valuation. We do not want Gold (in $ per ounce) enjoyed since 1941. The danger now is that
20-25% stake in Belarus- to buy an asset that is overval- (on 8 Aug) China There are uncanny similari- there will be calls to “roll
based Belaruskali, one of ued,” this official said. 1,719.53 6.6 ties on the domestic front too. back” these increases.
the world’s largest producers The 10 August meeting is 2011 When Subbarao took over the Such a step would be
US
and suppliers of potash, in a likely to be attended by exter- India assignment, India’s policy rate inadvisable and should
deal that could be worth $6-7 nal affairs minister S.M. Krish- 674.8 was 9% and inflation 10.78%. be resisted.
2007 Source: Bloomberg, IMF, Mint
billion (`27,120-31,640 crore). na, chemicals and fertilizer Now, when he begins his sec-
This is not to deny the proposal of a caste count that has been documented, they get in the way
If anything, this is the
AHMED RAZA KHAN/MINT
A proposal to this effect is minister M.K. Alagiri, finance ond term, the policy rate is 8% time to make good the
likely to be discussed at a minister Pranab Mukherjee ALSO SEE >MARK TO MARKET: Time for Sensex to and inflation 9.44%. The col- still high losses of oil
meeting chaired by Prime Min- and agriculture minister Pa- >Indian stocks fare better than most in start outperforming? >P14 lapse of Lehman Brothers and marketing companies. If
ister Manmohan Singh on war. global rout >P24 >Shades of post-Lehman crisis in Asian the liquidity crunch that fol- there is something to be
where none exists.

Wednesday, two senior fertiliz- The valuation of $30 billion >US stocks rebound >P24 market fall >P15 lowed forced him to cut rates rolled back, it is the
er ministry officials confirmed was not off the mark, said San- >Oil price fall may be short-lived >P4 >Deal-making at risk as rout threatens and pump money into the sys- reduction in excise duty
separately. jay Jain, director of Taj Capital >WSJ: Fear returns for US banks >P19 best year since 2007 >P15 on oil.
The officials said the Belaru- Partners Pvt. Ltd, an invest- >Euro zone needs more than rhetoric >P19 >OurView: Four years and counting >P22 TURN TO PAGE 3®
its merits. Since job and education quotas go by of an efficient market for labour. Theory sug-
sian government had valued ment firm that has interests in
Belaruskali at $30 billion. the fertilizer sector. Jain said
India needs to ensure long- that Russia’s Uralkali, and Chi-
term supplies of fertilizer to
cope with increasing demand,
na’s China BlueChemical Ltd
and Sinofert Holdings Ltd are
Qualified foreign CHANGING EQUATIONS
but could face competition for
the Belarus company stake
from rivals based in Russia and
also vying for stakes in Bela-
ruskali.
Indian Farmers Fertiliser
investors can
invest up to
New IIMs set to break tradition,
China. Cooperative Ltd and Krishak
$13 billion in MFs scrap group discussion round
caste classifications, this identifier does have a gests that this would impinge on our economic
Agriculture minister Sharad Bharati Cooperative Ltd have
Pawar pressed the case for ac- had an agreement with Oman
quiring stakes in fertilizer Oil Co. since 2005 to supply
companies abroad in order to urea at a fixed long-term price B Y A SIT R ANJAN M ISHRA B Y P RASHANT K . N ANDA TESTING TIMES aspirant from Orissa, agrees.
“secure steady supplies of fer- to India. Urea is the most dom- asit.m@livemint.com prashant.n@livemint.com “Students from small cities are
tilizers at reasonable prices” in inant fertilizer and accounts ························· ························· Six new IIMs plan to put in place a often sidelined during GDs as
NEW DELHI NEW DELHI
a 1 August letter addressed to for 55-60% of the total con- common written analysis test they are not very aggressive
the Prime Minister, which
Mint has reviewed.
sumption in the country.
Tata Chemicals Ltd an- I ndia allowed qualified for-
eign investors (QFIs) to in- T he six new Indian Insti-
tutes of Management
instead of group discussions
(GDs) to evaluate communication
while presenting their views,”
he said. “Sometimes, a domi-
bearing on policy. The lack of a proper caste performance. While it is undeniable that caste ROB E RT H. ME LTZ E R
Pawar specifically argued nounced in April that it was vest up to $13 billion (`58,760 (IIMs) are set to make a radical and comprehension skills of nant candidate hijacks the
that India needs to explore the acquiring a 25% stake in a urea crore) in mutual funds (MFs) break from tradition by doing aspirants. show.”
prospects for partnerships and manufacturing firm in Gabon to deepen markets, reduce vol- away with the group discus- Generally, IIMs conduct GDs along The “reformative step” is
acquisitions of major potash for $290 million. Singapore- atility and boost infrastructure sion (GD) that forms a crucial aimed at being a better gauge
with personal interviews for
sources in the world. “A sug- based agro-product processor spending. part of the selection process at of analytical ability, compre-
selecting aspirants.
gestion has been made to take and supplier Olam Interna- The move is in line with the elite business schools. hension and communication
proactive steps for acquiring tional Co. and the government pledges made earlier in the The change in the admission The move seeks to ensure all skills, Sahay said.
such mines/companies of Gabon are the other inves- year by finance minister process, with a written test re- candidates get equal opportunity “They can be asked to write
through a consortium of Indi- tors in the project. Gov- Pranab Mukherjee. Of the placing the discussion round, as some of them often get anything—a case study, an es-
break-up of our population must have impaired deserves deep discussion, and that our policies
an companies with govern- ernment-controlled Rashtriya amount allowed, $10 billion is will take place at the IIMs in sidelined by dominating ones say, few paragraphs on a socio-
ment support,” the letter said. Chemicals and Fertilizers Ltd for equity-based funds and the Raipur, Rohtak, Ranchi, during GDs. economic situation,” he added.
Manoj Kumar Bharti, India’s is trying to set up a urea manu- rest for debt funds in the infra- Udaipur, Tiruchirappalli and IIM Rohtak director P.
ambassador to Belarus, met facturing facility in Ghana. structure sector, the govern- Kashipur in the coming year. Rameshan said the business
Belarusian Prime Minister The present domestic de- ment said on Tuesday. “Instead of going for individ- ates students based on their schools are complementing
Mikhail Myasnikovich to dis- mand for muriate of potash QFIs include retail investors, ual GDs in every single insti- contribution to the discussion. each other rather than com-
cuss the proposal on 4 August. (MoP) stands at about 5 mil- insurance firms and trust tute, we are going to hold a A final selection is made after peting with each other.
Russia’s largest bank OAO lion tonnes (mt), all of which is funds. common written analysis test interviews with chosen candi- “The ability to understand
Sberbank said a day later that imported. According to the fer- However, they don’t include for all the six new IIMs,” IIM dates. and express properly is an as-
the efficiency of our efforts at affirmative action may need revision to enhance their efficacy, we
it acquired a 35% stake in Bela- tilizer ministry’s figures, India foreign institutional investors Raipur director B.S. Sahay said. The GD round discriminates set. Business communication
ruskali as collateral for a $2 is likely to import 2.1-2.2 mt of (FIIs) and sub-accounts, which The seven older IIMs won’t against those candidates who is all about expressing it in the
billion loan it had extended to the commodity this year, less are separately allowed to in- be changing the way in which are low-key in demeanour. right way,” Rameshan said,
Belarus along with Deutsche than half the projected de- vest in MFs. Total assets under they currently pick students. “Generally in a GD, some adding that his institute was
Bank AG. Bharti could not be mand. A note prepared ahead management of all MFs in In- Candidates selected after the members are dominant and a giving this aspect more value.
reached for comment. of the 10 August meeting says dia stood at `7.28 trillion as of Common Admission Test dominating candidate is not The focus in the proposed
An India representative of that MoP could not be import- July end, with equity funds (CAT) are called for the GD necessarily the best. In the test will be on the practical
Belarusian Potash Co., Bela- ed “due to cartelization of in- comprising 23%, data from the round in which they are bro- process to get noticed, it be- and will offer an insight into
ruskali’s marketing arm, de- ternational suppliers”. Association of Mutual Funds in ken up into groups of 8-10 that comes chaotic,” Sahay said. how an individual takes up a
down the decades. The last census with such should not count our citizens by caste unless
clined to comment. The meeting is also likely to India showed. analyse a particular topic. “We want to give everybody a challenge, analyses it and com-
Belaruskali is owned by the discuss the issue of fertilizer Slowdown concerns have They may at times be given a chance and here written analy- municates it effectively to take
shortages in the country. Ac- been exacerbated by recent case study and asked to come sis seems to be a suitable op- control of the situation, said
Mint is also available for R5.50 with up with a solution. A panel ob- tion.”
Hindustan Times under a combo offer TURN TO PAGE 2® TURN TO PAGE 2® serves the groups and evalu- Tanmya Kumar Pradhan, an TURN TO PAGE 2®
details was conducted in 1931, which put groups we’re sure its benefits outweigh the risks.
GUEST VIEW
The writing on the wall for India’s telecom policymakers

ments, can’t make it in India’s telecom mar- that regulatory dues need to be paid not only connection to as high as ₹86. Before the cut what with the number of bidders dwindling.
MOBIS PHILIPOSE ket, it is clear that government policy carries on telecommunication revenues, but also on in IUC, the minimum monthly cost was in The fact that India is faced with a highly
a large share of the blame for this state of ancillary revenues. the low double-digits. possible outcome of a duopoly also raises
affairs. Analysts now refer to India as among But policymakers carry a far greater share Policymakers should worry about the serious questions about the effectiveness of
the world’s most painful markets to operate of the blame. Extreme policy flip-flops have impact of this trend on tele-density, rather its anti-competition policy and the bane of
in for a telecom firm. left the sector in a battered state. And, as it than only highlight the fact that tariffs for regulatory arbitrage. These pages have
T
he writing has been on the wall for the This belief got cemented last week when turns out, the government is now left hold- data users have reduced significantly. Doing pointed out that turf battles between the
exchequer for some time now. Ever Kumar Mangalam Birla stepped down as ing the can. There is a real the latter is akin to saying competition watchdog and the telecom reg-
since Indian telecommunication com- chairman of Vodafone Idea Ltd, while also possibility of a duopoly in ‘let them have cake’. If you ulator need to be ironed out, and the two
panies bid as high as $15 billion for third gen- reportedly offering his group’s stake in the the telecom market. Reli- Reckless pursuit can’t afford voice calls any- need to work in a spirit of collaboration
eration, or 3G, spectrum in the auctions of firm to the government for free. The Aditya ance Jio Infocomm, which more, use data services. (bit.ly/3xIUO7L).
2010, experts have warned that the govern- Birla group joins the Tata group, Japan’s launched its services about of revenue has It’s not just tele-density All of this also raises the pertinent ques-
ment may be strangulating the goose that Docomo, the UAE’s Etisalat and Norway’s five years ago, is now the that policymakers need to tion whether India is indeed the land of
lays the golden egg. Telenor, among others,that have written off domestic market leader
wrecked our worry about. The majority opportunity that holds so much promise for
is editor, Mark to Market

The high reserve prices in subsequent
auctions, in fact, had made it clear nearly a
investments worth billions of dollars in
India’s telecom market.
and expected to be the
largest beneficiary.
telecom market of Vodafone Idea’s ₹1.8 tril-
lion debt is owed to the
so many investors. One of the reasons that
policymakers come up with onerous rules
decade ago that the country’s telecom policy
had shifted from one that promotes compe-
It isn’t that the private corporations which
burned these vast amounts of money have
Already, telecom servi-
ces have become increas-
and other government, and it is now
staring at another write-
and regulations is the firm belief that inves-
tors would be willing to pay any price to tap
tition to one that encourages an oligopolistic no share of the blame. While it can be argued ingly unaffordable for the sectors are at off, much larger than the the vast demand in our local markets. But
market. that the design of some spectrum auctions country’s poor. sums it is owed by other investor experience in the telecom market
But hardly anyone had envisaged back forced them to make high bids, there were One of the policy some risk too firms that went bankrupt shows that the local opportunity comes with
then that large firms such as Vodafone India times when they climbed over one another changes in the post-Jio era earlier, such as Aircel and a number of strings attached, and only a few
Ltd and Idea Cellular Ltd could be among just to get ahead of competition at any cost. has been to eliminate inter- Reliance Communications. make it to the elusive pot of gold at the end of
the ones that struggle to survive, leave alone Analysts joked at the time that India’s large connection usage charges (IUC) collected by A default will also add to the stress within the the rainbow.
a behemoth that would later arise from the telecom companies had perfected the art of telcos for terminating calls on their network. banking sector, besides causing a huge dis- It’s high time that the policy lessons from
merger of those two firms. If a joint venture buying the unaffordable. The over-enthusi- The IUC framework allowed firms to levy ruption for telecom users. the past decade are taken on board and
between one of the largest business groups asm was also visible in their willingness to ultra-low tariffs on users who had connec- And if India’s telecom market ends up as changes made. Else, analysts may start say-
in the country and one of the largest tele- agree on unreasonable terms in contracts tions primarily for incoming calls. With the a duopoly, the government should expect far ing India is among the world’s most painful
communication companies in the world, with the government. This came back to bite IUC subsidy gone, telcos have increased the lower prices for spectrum, which will no markets to operate in for any business, not
with billions of dollars in cumulative invest- them when the Supreme Court ruled in 2019 minimum monthly cost of owning a mobile longer be viewed as a very scarce resource, just for a telecom firm.
LIVEMINT.COM VIEWS TUESDAY, 10 AUGUST 2021
NEW DELHI 17
GUEST VIEW M I N T C U R AT O R
Sharing an Olympic gold medal Here’s a sure-fire way to boost

your count of Olympic medals
can be about maximizing utility Playing host is expensive but tends to raise the country’s medal tally
Such a heartwarming decision can also be explained by the risk perceptions and mutually-linked dreams of rival contestants
AFP
TIM CULPAN & ELAINE HE

are, respectively, a Bloomberg Opinion
columnist covering technology and
Bloomberg Opinion’s data visualization
CHANDAN K. JHA & columnist in Europe
SUDIPTA SARANGI
are, respectively, an associate professor of
finance at Le Moyne College, and professor
of economics at Virginia Tech and author of
‘The Economics of Small Things’.
H
osting an Olympic Games is an eco-
nomic disaster, even in non-pan-
demic times. After more than a cen-
O
n 1 August 2021, an incredible tury and over 50 editions, there are enough With 27 gold medals, Japan finished third in
event took place at the Tokyo case studies to conclude that the home Tokyo after the US and China AFP
Olympics—Mutaz Essa Barshim nation is invariably the biggest loser from
of Qatar and Gianmarco Tamberi the world’s largest sporting event. events such as skateboarding, Japan, like
of Italy shared the gold medal for Except in the medal tally. A look at the host nations before it, has enjoyed a certain
men’s high jump. Both Barshim count of gold, silver and bronze shows that level of home-park advantage.
and Tamberi had cleared 2.37 metres and were the host country gets a significant boost, There’s little to suggest any connection
unable to clear the 2.39-metres bar even after one that persists in subsequent games. between Olympic and economic perform-
three attempts. When the Olympic official came Japan’s incredible haul for Tokyo 2020, ance. Andrew Zimbalist, an economist at
to discuss the modalities of the sudden-death with 27 gold medals, puts it third behind the Smith College, concludes that cities holding
jump to determine the winner, Barshim asked if US and China. Significantly, it captured the the event lose money. He suggests having a
they could share the medal. The official replied top prize in 7.9% of all events on offer this permanent host to ameliorate the cost.
that this was a possibility, and the rest is history. past fortnight. That compares with 3.9% in Tokyo’s losses are likely to be compounded
In a world under siege by a virus that constantly Rio 2016 and 2.3% for London 2012. Rank- by covid, which led to a ban on foreign tour-
threatens life and keeps loved ones and people ings, by tradition, are based on first prizes. ists and shut sporting venues to crowds. A
apart from each other, this story of two champion This year, the US topped the tally with 39 recent estimate suggests that the cost dou-
athletes choosing to share the honours went viral. gold and a total of 113, ahead of China at 38 bled from initial expectations to $15.4 bil-
It became one of the major stories of the Tokyo and 88. Japan’s 58 overall rounded out the lion, including an additional $3 billion due
Olympics and probably the top feel-good story of nation’s most successful games. to the one-year delay and related pandemic-
the 2021 Games. This isn’t a one-time phenomenon. An control measures.
It is not that medals have not been jointly analysis of all Summer Olympics held from On the flipside, economic data doesn’t
awarded in previous Olympic Games. Over 2,600 1992 through 2021 shows that the single suggest any correlation with medal count.
medals have been given to athletes in Olympics, most powerful driver of medal tally, particu- Being rich doesn’t hurt, with the US consist-
but there have been only 120 instances of medal larly gold, is hosting the event and how ently near the top. China’s increasing
sharing since the modern Summer Olympics many years since a country last did it. We wealth over the past 30 years to become the
began in Athens back in 1896. The gold medal start from the Barcelona games because world’s second-largest economy has coin-
itself has only been shared 31 times, a majority of they were the first after the end of the Cold cided with its increasing share of medals.
them in sports where the winners were deter- War. The Soviet Union, a sporting power- But then, consider that Japan is the third-
mined either by judges (like gymnastics) or by two house, was broken into numerous inde- largest by gross domestic product (GDP)
athletes performing equally well and officials average offers a higher pay-off by taking probabil- sharing. Even though Barshim suggested the idea pendent states, including Russia, that are and has placed as low as 23rd in the past
deciding to declare them both as joint winners. ities into account. A risk-lover prefers exactly the of sharing, why did Tamberi accept it? It turns out collectively and individually weaker. So we three decades. Germany and India are the
This, however, is the first instance where rival opposite. A risk-neutral person is equally happy that both Tamberi and Barshim are good friends can’t compare with earlier editions. next largest, and their performances show
athletes from different countries asked about the with a guaranteed outcome and a combination of on and off the track, and this provides yet another Doubtless there are numerous contribu- divergent tales.
possibility themselves, and then chose to share uncertain outcomes that on average offers the reason that made medal-sharing possible. In tors to performance, including institution- Nor is medal performance explained by
the medal. same pay-off. Thus, a risk-neutral person derives contrast to standard neoclassical economics, alized support for athletic programmes, GDP growth. China has expanded along
Although we found this story heartwarming, the same amount of utility or satisfaction from a behavioural economics argues that people may access to facilities and coaching, and illegal with its sporting might, yet Vietnam’s
as economists, we can also explain this result as rupee worth of gains and losses. For a risk-averse have inter-dependent utilities. These are usually performance-enhancing drugs. But the data incredible rise since 1990 comes with mini-
the outcome of rational behaviour in one’s self- person, the utility from losing a rupee is worth described using an umbrella term called ‘other- indicate that the best way to boost results is mal improvement in athletic results. The
interest. To understand this, we need to first more than the rupee, while the same is true for a regarding preferences’. to enjoy the home-ground advantage. Southeast Asian nation’s economy posted
account for how economists view risk. risk-lover for gaining a rupee. One example may be inequality aversion— We can see that a country does very well phenomenal expansion between 1990 and
In everyday parlance, risk means exposure to a Not surprisingly, most of us are risk-averse, when people care about equality, they will share during what are called its Golden Games as 2020. Its team of 18 didn’t manage a single
chance of loss, and a risky venture is something which explains, among other things, why a chunk things with others. The opposite is true of folks host, and that strength persists. Japan is no medal in Tokyo, after first winning gold
that involves the possibility of a loss. Economists, of our savings is held in bank deposits or govern- who only care about doing better than their stranger to this idea. The country ranked only five years ago, in shooting. Other fast-
however, measure an individual’s satisfaction ment bonds that offer a much lower average neighbours, such as those who like keeping up third at home in 1964, behind the US and growing economies like the Maldives and
from their consumption or actions through an return than stocks over the long term. These are with the Joneses. the USSR, with 16 gold medals. Spain’s Ghana have never stood atop the podium.
abstract ‘point system’ called the utility function, also the people who are willing to pay an insur- Consider another very simple interdependent Golden Games at Barcelona in 1992 saw it Population doesn’t correlate with perform-
and risk refers to the curvature of this utility ance premium to protect their life and limb. Risk- utility function: imagine that your happiness grab 5% of the gold on offer, putting it sixth. ance, either (India, Indonesia and Pakistan
function that captures the uncertainty associated lovers on the other hand are the ones who haunt depends not only on your happiness but also on Australia jumped from 3.3% in its Green all lag), nor does GDP per capita. Luxem-
with different outcomes. Economists assume that casinos and are willing to take the chances life that of your child or fiancé. In other words, your Games (the event prior to hosting) to 5.3% at bourg, Singapore and Qatar are rich and
individuals fall into three categories: risk loving, throws at them. utility is a sum of own utility and a proportion Sydney 2000, climbed to 5.7% four years have few medals between them.
risk neutral and risk averse. In terms of curvature, Now consider the interaction between Barshim of your loved one’s utility. Then it is easy to see later in Athens, then slid to 4.6% in Beijing. As Japan and its ageing population of 126
risk neutrality implies linearity, risk aversion and Tamberi. If they participated in a jump-off, why the two friends might want to share an Hosting was a boon for Greece, the spiri- million look back on these most troubled of
implies a concave utility function (like a bowl fac- only one of them would win a gold medal and the Olympic gold medal. tual home of the Olympics, grabbing the top games, economists will again be noting the
ing down) and risk loving means a convex utility other would face the chance of losing that medal. Economics is often cast as ‘the dismal science’ spot in six events in 2004 and climbing to financial folly of a nation’s decision to play
function (bowl facing up). However, if they were both risk averse, then the and economists are blamed for developing mod- 15th from 17th in the rankings, but then host. But at least more Japanese athletes
What these curves imply is something simple: a only rational and selfish choice was to share the els that suggest we exhibit selfish rational behav- dropped to zero gold in 2008. A similar tale than ever have worn gold and might enjoy
risk-averse individual derives greater satisfaction medal because it makes winning the gold medal iour. Our goal here has been to show that such plays out for Brazil: from 1% before hosting the afterglow in Paris, where the French can
from a guaranteed or ‘certain’ outcome, than a a certainty. behaviour can lead to sharing and produce some to 2.3% in Rio de Janeiro, then 2.1% this year test their own home-nation chances for
combination of uncertain outcomes that on But there is a little more to this tale of medal of our most heartwarming stories. in Tokyo. With an almost-clean sweep of Olympic glory. ©BLOOMBERG
GUEST VIEW
A pragmatic laying to rest of the retrospective tax ghost

acquirer bought this holding company, The clawback of the retrospective clause also offering closure for other retro-tax the 2012 amendment for tax deducted at
AASHISH CHANDORKAR such a transaction was deemed to be taxable is comprehensive. The government will not cases. Of course, both those firms, which source and tax demands were raised against
in India because the underlying asset was be raising tax demands in any such case if had won interest and costs in arbitration them. These Indian companies shall also
located in India. More importantly, this the transaction occurred before 28 May awards, can still pursue litigation rather benefit from this decision, subject to the
change was made retrospectively applica- 2012. Any demand already raised will be than accept the middle path offered by the fulfilment of prescribed conditions.
ble from 1962, a decision that clearly sought withdrawn and the principal amount of any government. But given their business inter- The taxation of indirect sales of assets
W
ith India’s government having to make the Vodafone transaction taxable, taxes collected will be paid back. ests in the country, they may well choose to located in India still stays on the country’s
moved to repeal the ‘retrospec- apart from other such deals. In cases where litigation accept the offer. Their statute books, but it is fully visible and
tive tax’ amendment introduced The retrospective applicability of this is pending, this will be choice should be clear in understood by all parties looking to make
in the Union Budget for 2012-13, a 14-year provision met with sharp criticism. No less done after the impacted The Centre the coming weeks. any such transaction.
story has come to an end. From the perspec- than then-UK Prime Minister Gordon corporate party gives an Laying the retrospective India has expressed its ambition of an
tive of potential investors and global corpo- Brown raised his country’s concerns with undertaking to the effect deserves credit tax ghost to rest is a wel- Atmanirbhar Bharat, a self-reliant country.
rations pursuing tax litigation against the India. Taxation is a sovereign right and it is that they will not contest come move that embodies Apart from various reform measures and
government, it is a pleasant end. not usual for heads of state to comment on the case further.
for scrapping a a practical implementa- incentives being offered, the sanctity of
is counsellor-designate to
The story began in 2007, when UK-based
Vodafone acquired the company Hutchison
taxation policy decisions taken by other
countries.
A key feature of this
decision is that all cases,
bad tax and thus tion plan. In putting an end
to the concept of retro-
contracts is a key factor that any investor
looks at before making a decision to invest
India’s permanent mission to
the World Trade Organization
Essar, which was offering telecom services
in India, for a consideration of $11 billion.
On 5 August, the ghost of this retrospec-
tive tax was laid to rest. The government
and not just the two large
ones of Cairn Energy and
raising investor spectively-applied taxes,
the government has cre-
in a new venture or expand business opera-
tions in the country. The end of retrospec-
at Geneva and writes on public Although the deal did not happen in India, introduced The Taxation Laws (Amend- Vodafone, can now get confidence in ated conditions for policy tive taxation will help raise that confidence.
policy Vodafone was slapped with a huge income ment) Bill, 2021, to undo the insidious pro- relief from India’s retro- stability in the future. The The move is simultaneously correct,
tax demand. After a protracted legal battle, vision from the Finance Bill of 2012. It was spective tax demands. Had Indian policy most important aspect of pragmatic and courageous. A retrospective
Vodafone was given relief by the Supreme passed in the Lok Sabha the next day, with the Indian government any tax regime is its pre- tax went against the grain of our interna-
Court of India, which ruled that Indian little doubt over its clearing the Rajya Sabha chosen only to not appeal dictability and this serves tional commitments. As the post-pandemic
authorities could not tax a deal executed in and being enacted. This will potentially the two specified cases, or accepted the rel- that purpose. The decision also reiterates recovery picks up and we embark on a
the Cayman Islands. help resolve as many as 17 cases in which evant arbitration awards, it would have India’s commitment to honour the rule of project of rebuilding, our focus needs to be
It was this verdict which led to the 2012 such income tax demands had been raised. managed to settle these cases, but would law and international treaty commitments. on the future, rather than keeping a sword
changes to India’s Income Tax Act, which In two high-profile cases, Cairn Energy and also have left the other 15 in a lurch. Also, it is not that the amendment only of uncertainty dangling over potential
brought such indirect corporate transac- Vodafone Plc, the corporate entities con- The decision hence goes a step forward favours foreign companies. Indian entities investors for past deals. Such decisions
tions into the country’s tax net. If an Indian testing the tax demands had already won in potentially restoring the trust of Cairn that bought shares of foreign companies require political capital, and the govern-
asset was held by a foreign company and an various legal and arbitration awards. and Vodafone in Indian taxation policy, but were also made liable retrospectively under ment has done well to use its reserves.
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LET TERS TO THE EDITOR Send your letters by email to bleditor@thehindu.co.in or by post to ‘Letters to the Editor’, The Hindu Business Line, Kasturi Buildings, 859860, Anna Salai, Chennai 600002.