Who will be the President and Vice
President of India? What will be the future of 690 MLAs in the upcoming five
state elections? Who will replace the late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J
Jayalalithaa? Will West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee be the face of a
United Opposition? What will happen to the Congress? Will it be relevant in
Indian politics or move to oblivion under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi? Will
the AAP party be able to emerge as an alternate to the Congress? Will Bihar
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar jettison Laloo Yadav and move closer to BJP? Will
the Opposition parties be united under one umbrella? What will be the impact of
demonetisation on the economic scenario? These are all serious questions,
answers to which will unfold in 2017. Apart from being remembered for the
impact of demonetisation, 2017 is likely to be the most volatile
year of the decade.
December 17, 2016
Puzzling silence
In
the foreword to the White Paper on the ‘State of Law and Order in Delhi’ that
was released to the media recently, the Managing Trustee of the NGO Praja says,
‘There is a crisis brewing in Delhi, a crisis that this city is becoming
unlivable for the common men and women’. And, ‘this white paper for crime is a
reflection of all that has gone wrong in Delhi’.‘How long will this go on? What
will it take for the Government to act? We need to see our elected
representatives taking active and constant interest in on issues of Law and
Order. Till this is not done we will continue to see a slide towards
lawlessness in Delhi’.I have always been intrigued by a universal paradox of
democratic functioning of governments that the persons elected by popular vote
in free and fair elections are totally insensitive to the wishes of the same
people who voted for them.
Dare to deliver
THE meaning of governance, according to the Oxford
Dictionary, is the action or manner of governing a State, organisation, etc.
But the ten-letter word takes hundreds of connotations when gfiles, the
undisputed leader in the print and digital segment of the media catering to
governance and bureaucracy, decides to cull out the best performers from among
the civil servants across the country and honour them. It becomes the means to reach the poorest of the poor using
science, information technology and whatever other tools available. It turns
into a channel to accomplish the pending projects at the earliest, earn revenue
from the completed ones and plan new projects for the future. It becomes the
time value of different commodities which are a bare minimum for the common man
and time value of money set aside for a project. It becomes the method of
chalking out priorities on how to serve the hoi polloi. To borrow one of Prime
Minister Narendra Modi’s favourite phrases, it becomes ‘minimum government,
maximum governance’.
Dissecting ‘Demonetisation’
Demonetisation is not the end but the beginning of a ‘long, deep and
constant’ battle against black money and corruption and will benefit the poor
and the common man.” This is what Prime Minister Narendra Modi told his
Parliamentary party colleagues soon after pulling 86 per cent of cash out of
circulation through this draconian measure putting India’s labourers,
small-traders and farmers to immense misery resulting in over 100 deaths so
far. The loyalists hailed it and passed a resolution endorsing his “great
crusade!”Let us take a reality check on the state-of-our-nation.
Pain in vain
Black money has been a matter of
concern since decades. The governments of the times have been taking action on
black money, its extent and how its proliferation can be checked. For this, a
number of committees have been appointed-Wanchoo Committee, Choksi Committee,
Chelliah Committee, Parthasarthy Shome Committee, Kelkar Committee and a Black
Money Panel in 2011 to prepare a white paper on black money. This issue was
also entrusted for study to three premier institutions of the country-National
Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), National Institute of Financial
Management (NIFM) and National Institute of Public Finance and Policy
(NIPFP)-but their reports have not been placed by the UPA and NDA governments
in public domain for reasons best known to them.
Show of Strength
The
deadly attacks on strategic military establishments by Pakistan army in
Pathankot, Uri and the series of border violations, shelling of civilian
targets, cover firing for sneaking terrorists are indications of not just
hostile acts but a serious breach of our national security mechanism. While
India has successfully retaliated and inflicted heavy cost on Islamabad, that
alone is no reason for New Delhi to let the guard down. Border security and all other
aspects of external security are a significant yet a fraction of the larger
national security and strategy planning. National security is a
multi-dimensional concept primarily concerned with ensuring comprehensive
national strength and, in the process, gaining toe-hold in the strategic
sphere, hitherto lost or not obtained in the first place.
Gita : good governance models
To understand, analyse, interpret
and adopt good governance models, we need to imbibe lessons from the Bhagavad
Gita which is an ism-neutral, religion free treatise on management,
relationship management and welfare economics. To move on the ladder of success
with morality, opulence, victory and empowerment (MOVE), we need to believe
that Lord Krishna and Arjun are with us-the message is called Eka Sloki Gita
(the last sloka 78 of Gita in 18th chapter-yatra yogeshvarah Krishno yatra
partho dhanur-dharah tatra srir vijaya bhutir dhruva nitir matir mama). It is
pertinent to mention that people around the world know Kurukshetra for the
Mahabharata war whereas we have to promote Kurukshetra as a place to have the
first ever university on the planet. The basic objective of this university is
to impart the knowledge which has been provided by Lord Krishna in the form of
the Bhagavad Gita.
‘Who? Me? Prime Minister?’
With
Vajpayee’s exit, the country was once again back to the question: ‘Who’ll be
the next Prime Minister?’The non-Congress, non-BJP parties was trying hard to
find a Prime Minister. Laloo Yadav wanted the top job so desperately that he
virtually gave up chief ministership and Patna to camp in Delhi, regardless of
the city’s climate. But with only 20 MPs from Bihar his claim was considerably
weakened.The Janata Dal had done much better in Karnataka; besides Laloo had a
big opponent in Mulayam Singh Yadav who could not let another Yadav beat him to
the prime ministership. Mulayam campaigned with the Left, Harkishen Singh
Surjeet in the main, to sabotage Laloo. He is scam tainted (the first fodder
scam disclosures had begun to come in the last days of the Rao Raj), Mulayam
told the Left, besides he has treated the Communists with disdain in Bihar.He
even split the CPI.
Not yet tired
Surendra Singh, a mathematics post-graduate from Allahabad
University, had made up his mind to join the civil services early in his life.
India had won her independence only about six years before he went to the
university. The ability to contribute to nation building of the newly
independent country drew him to this decision. Other options, like joining the
corporate sector, did not appeal to him.
Moreover, his father Sumer Singh, an
engineer educated at Thomson College of Civil Engineering (now Indian Institute
of Technology, Roorkie), knew what the IAS stood for and was in favour of him
trying for the elite service. “All of us in the family agreed that I should try
to join the civil service,” the 1959-batch Uttar Pradesh cadre IAS, who in
August 1994 rose to be the Cabinet Secretary, the highest administrative post
in the country, recollects.
Opportunity to buy
The Prime Minister who believes in
inclusive growth with “sabka saath sabka vikas” not only gave those hoarding
black money more than one chance to declare it but has also given investors,
who missed the bus, yet another opportunity to enter the market at attractive
valuations post the correction witnessed due to demonetisation. Since most
analysts are of the opinion that demonetisation will be very positive for the
economy in the long run, those entering the market with a time horizon of 3-5
years can expect decent returns from equities. However, there is a general
consensus that economic activity will take a hit for at least 3-6 months
slowing GDP growth considerably thereby increasing volatility in the market
with a downward bias.
More than a dream
Much importance
has been given by New Age spirituality to dream and dream states.
Unfortunately, dreams are often interpreted today in ways that are deeply
life-restricting and life-damaging. Modern psychologists seem almost to suggest
that man can live without sleep, but not without dream! And yet, the word ‘dream’ means that
which is not true. The whole purpose of yoga is to work towards a state of
dreamlessness or sushupti-a state where you are so aware that you are
incapable of dreaming.Dream in the yogic view does not merely refer to dreaming
when asleep, or awake. Instead, one’s very psychological framework is regarded
as a dream. Your thought process may feel intensely real and seductively lifelike-even
more than reality-but it has no existential basis. So your whole experience of
life is, in a sense, a dream. The word ‘maya’ means that you are not
seeing life as it is.
Adding wings to files
haryana cm draws the line
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal
seems to have learnt how to traverse the intricate world of government and
governance. His confidence in ruling Haryana with vigour and authority has
increased manifold after November 1, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised
his working in Gurugram. Manohar Lal and his team of advisors have analysed the
reasons for delay in implementing government decisions after ruling the state
for two years. It was found that any file has the following steps: first, it
goes to the Chief Secretary and then the Minister, and last of all, it reaches
the Secretary of the concerned department. It was suggested to Manohar Lal that
the files should not go to the Ministers as most of the decisions are taken by
the cabinet, so the ministers have already consented to the decisions. So, it
was decided that the file should go directly to the head of the department for
implementation. This has created a furore among the ministers as most of the
time they are not aware of the decisions and they can’t stop the file as the
orders have been issued directly from the Chief Minister’s office. Even the
secretaries are baffled, as now the onus of implementing the order lies on
them. It has yet to be seen whether implementation has really geared up or not.
Realignments on the anvil?
jaitley may move to external affairs
In politics and war, everything is
possible. So hold your breath. There are rumours in the market that firebrand
advocate and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley may be shifted to the Ministry of
External Affairs. Jaitley has both admirers and adversaries. His adversaries
have reportedly suggested to Modi that demonetisation is a wonderful scheme but
it’s implementation by Jaitley has created chaos across India. The rumour of
his shift is an old one but it has gathered momentum as Subramaniam Swamy and
renowned advocate Ram Jethmalani are advocating his removal. As Sushma Swaraj,
Minister of External Affairs, is not keeping well, she may remain a minister
without portfolio and Jaitley will take over. Who, then, will be the new
Finance Minister? If insiders are to be believed, Piyush Goel is likely to take
over as the new finance minister. Though he belongs to the Jaitley camp, his
performance as a minister has been outstanding. The only apprehension about his
elevation is that he belongs to a very powerful business school of Mumbai.
Piyush is an old RSS hand and his father Ved Prakash Goel was BJP treasurer.
Insiders report that the shifting of Jaitley from Finance to External Affairs
suits Modi to convey that Jaitley could not manage the demonetisation though
the scheme was good. So far, Jaitley has been a survivor against all odds.
Given his influence and grip on the party and government, it’s to be seen how
he manages.
Towards a cashless society
modi
bent on realising his dream
Narendra Modi is determined to
implement demonetisation in both letter and spirit. He desires that all the
tools of the government should work day and night to make India cashless. He
has drawn up a master plan to depute the political leadership to convince the
people of India that demonetisation is meant to ameliorate the condition of
poor people. He has called two meetings consecutively in a week; suggested all
cabinet ministers move to their constituency and monitor the implementation of
demonetisation. He wants all ministers to make their ministry cashless. Prakash
Javdekar and Manohar Parrikar have already doing so whereas others are trying
to face the challenges. His main focus in one Cabinet meeting was Delhi and
that too the business centre of Chandni Chowk. He talked to Harsh Vardhan,
Minister of Science of Technology, who represents Chandni Chowk parliamentary
constituency. He advised Harsh Vardhan to tour Delhi and make Chandni Chowk the
first constituency of India to be cashless. Simple and hardworking Harsh
Vardhan just shook his head in affirmation without uttering a word. One cabinet
minister informed that Modi has a fascination for gadgets and he constantly
motivates ministers to shift to the electronic age. The entire, experienced
cabinet listen to their Prime Minister very patiently.
Pay for your dinner
cash ban puts jaitley in a fix
Demonetisation has not only created
anxiety throughout India but NDA’s Members of Parliament are also perplexed by
Narendra Modi’s master stroke, with many expressing their anger over the move.
The Prime Minister is keeping watch on the discussions and activities of fellow
Parliamentarians. Sources inform that five top-ranking ministers have been
assigned to organise a dinner with BJP MPs where he and Shah will be available
for informal discussions. Each dinner will have 50 MPs. Finance Minister Arun
Jaitley has been assigned to organise one such dinner. Jaitely appeared to be
worried as he narrated the scenario himself. He briefed one journo that his
wife and he had withdrawn Rs. 24,000 each. “Caterers are refusing to receive a
cheque, how I can arrange a dinner of 50 people in Rs. 48,000,” asked Jaitley.
Clearly, even the Finance Minister is feeling the heat. It will take time
before parliamentarians are convinced about cashless transactions!
Who will be CBI chief?
Who will be the new Director of
Central Bureau of Investigation? The present incumbent Anil Sinha has
retired. The 1984-batch IPS officer of the Gujarat cadre, Rakesh Asthana, has
been handed over temporary charge. Will he be the new boss of the investigative
agency or will he remain ad hoc till the new incumbent takes over the
reins. If everything goes by the rule book, the new Director has to be
selected from 1979-batch IPS officers. Delhi Police Chief Alok Verma, DGP
Maharashtra Police Satish Chandra Mathur, Bihar Cadre IPS officer Krishna
Chaudhary, and BPRD Chief Meeran Chandra Borwanrkar are all from the 1979 batch
and looking for the opportunity to serve. The selection of the new chief is
done by a committee comprising the Prime Minister of India, Chief Justice of
India and Leader of Opposition. The CJI is retiring on January 3, 2017 and
Justice JS Khehar will be the new Chief Justice of India. So, it appears the
selection of the new CBI chief will not be completed before February-March
2017. Asthana can also continue as he is a time-tested, competent officer. He
has the confidence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah.
He is the officer who investigated the Godhra massacre. His professionalism can
be vouched for in the way he has investigated the Agusta Westland helicopter
deal. But, this is just one of the key appointments coming up in 2017. Also
getting vacant are the posts of Director Enforcement and CBDT Chairman. All
these posts play an important role in implementation of good governance and are
key tools in the hands of present regime.
Vox pop
Most civil servants are very busy
these days. They don’t have any holiday on Saturdays and Sundays. Under Modi, a
government order can come at any time. Now, demonetisation has made life even
trickier. Modi sent 61 top-ranking civil servants to 27 states to get
first-hand accounts on the Centre’s demonetisation policy and prepare reports
on it, suggesting corrective measures in the last week of November. In the
course of their field trip, most of the civil servants were flooded with
complaints. What they have submitted to Modi is not known. Insiders inform that
the situation in the field is very severe. As per sources, the North East was
the most affected part of India. In general, the rural areas were the worst
hit. As one officer informed, new currency notes reached after 10 days of
demonetisation in many rural areas. One senior civil servant informed that rural
India has shifted back to the barter system. Another important aspect which
emerged was that B town has done brisk business in currency exchange while
another disclosed that some bank managers scored big.
Open secret
As per the Government, nobody had
the clue about demonetisation. On November 8, a gazette notification was issued
by the Department of Economic Affairs signed by Dr. Saurabh Garg, which
stated, “Whereas, the Central Board of Directors of the Reserve Bank of India
(hereinafter referred to as the Board) has recommendedthat bank notes of
denominations of the existing series of the value of five hundred rupees and
one thousand rupees (hereinafter referred to as specified bank notes) shall
cease to be legal tender; Para 4 of the Notification states that “Now,
therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 26
of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 (2 of 1934) (hereinafter referred to as
the said Act), the Central Government hereby declares that the specified bank
notes shall cease to be legal tender with effect from the 9th November, 2016.”
Clearly, the RBI had full knowledge about the demonetisation as its own Board
had reportedly passed a resolution to that effect. The RBI had not uploaded
any such resolution on its website till the writing of this news. The RBI Board
has 10 members. Apart from RBI Governor Urjit Patel and three Deputy Governors,
Secretary (Economic Affairs) Shaktikanta Das and Secretary (Financial Services)
Anjali Chib Duggal there are four other independent directors-banker-turned-
economist Dr Nachiket M Mor, who has worked with Wipro of Azim Premji;
Natarajan Chandrasekaran, who has been serving as the CEO and MD of Tata
Consultancy Services (TCS); Bharat Narotam Doshi, Chairman of Mahindra
Intertrade Limited; and Sudhir Mankad, who is Chairman of Gujarat Institute of
Desert Ecology Bhuj, Indian Institute of Public Health, Gandhinagar and Vice
President of Charutar Arogya Mandal, Karamsad. He is a member of Board of
Governors of Navrachna University, Vadodara. He assists and advises Pratham,
Gyanshala and America India Foundation in their work in the education sector in
Gujarat. He is currently serving as a member of the Committee to formulate the
New Education Policy. So, some eminent people knew about demonetisation well
before it was announced. It would not be wrong to say it was an open secret.
Murmurs in Parliament
The UP-cadre IAS officer of 1978
batch was appointed the Secretary General of the Lok Sabha Secretariat in the
rank and status of Cabinet Secretary. Lok Sabha Secretary-General Anoop Mishra,
former Chief Secretary Uttar Pradesh, was given a one-year extension on the
last day of November giving rise to murmurs. Even when he was appointed in
2014, there were many contenders but the Prime Minister personally chose
Mishra. Senior officers also hint that with this single move, the future of
in-house available talent has been blocked. The Lok Sabha Secretariat has many
competent officers who were aspiring to be the Secretary-General. The selection
of Secretary General is normally done by a committee comprising the Prime
Minister, Speaker and the Leader of Opposition. But, an extension does not
require a meeting of all three as it is considered a routine matter. So, only
the Prime Minister decided on Mishra’s extension. Even otherwise, if one has
the right connection in the PMO, who can stop the extension. Sources disclosed
that with this move, the chances of Secretary of Lok Sabha, Dr D Bhalla, a
1986-batch IAS officer of the Nagaland cadre, have brightened. The only hindrance
is that Bhalla is not even additional secretary rank officer till now; his file
for promotion is pending with DoPT. There are many additional secretaries in
line of succession and their files are pending for promotion with the Speaker,
Sumitra Mahajan. On her part, Mahajan is in a bind. If she promotes other
senior officers, then the chances of Bhalla becoming Secretary-General will be
bleak. Wait and watch.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)