CONTENTS Cover Story Chhattisgarh : Vikas Yatra 2013...... 7

Fortnightly Magazine On Land Acquisition Bill

Editor Lok Sabha : ...... 10 On Food Security Bill Prabhat Jha, MP Lok Sabha : Dr. ...... 12 Rajya Sabha : ...... 14 Executive Editor ...... 16 Articles Dr. Shiv Shakti Bakshi It’s Déjà Vu all over again By Yashwant Sinha...... 17 Editorial Team It’s the end for the UPA Government Ram Prasad Tripathy By Balbir Punj...... 19 Vikash Anand Which other democracy has a doormat for a PM? By Kanchan Gupta...... 21 Creative Editor Why is electronic media showing a pro-Congress bias? By Meenakshi Lekhi...... 23 Dharmendra Kaushal Shifting blame will not help Mr. Prime Minister Vikas Saini By Dr. Shiv Shakti Bakshi...... 25 Others Subscription BJP Minority Morcha Executive Meeting...... 28 Art and Culture Cell national executive meeting...... 28 Annual Rs. 100/- States For 3 years Rs. 250/- Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh...... 29 Himachal Pradesh, Delhi...... 30 Contact

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Delhi-03. Editor : Prabhat Jha. Courtesy : The Hindu

3 Kamal Sandesh September 16-30, 2013 vokP;koknkaPJ cgwu~ ofn";fUr rokfgrk%A fuUnUrLro lkeF;± rrks nq%[krja uq fde~ AA36AA Your enemies will speak many malicious and insulting words discrediting your prowess. Alas what could be more painful than that? —(Bhagavadgita : Ch.-II, 36)

Q “Coalgate has become a TV serial which “Let each citizen, “Modi is an has many episodes. Till now it has had each youth take it on extraordinary leader who

U ~~~~ four episodes. In the first episode the themselves, to uproot ~~~~ has shown how good O scam was exposed, in second the names those who are ruining governance and ☯☯☯ T were out, in third the questions were the nation. Embracing ☯☯☯ development can be Sushasan is the achieved and we all look E raised and later the files went missing.

~~~~ need.” up to him.” We don't know what we'll see ahead.” ~~~~ S - - - ATTENTION READERS! Small write-ups about regional fairs and festivals invited Informative and insightful write-ups in around 100 words and photographs about fairs and festivals celebrated in different States and UTs are invited from esteemed readers of Kamal Sandesh, researchers, writers and journalists for publication in the fortnightly Kamal Sandesh magazine. The objective of this new section is to bring the regional and sub regional fairs and festivals celebrated in different parts of the country to the fore. Please feel free to write to us. –Editor

Onam in Kerala (September 16, 2013 Monday) Onam is one of the most ancient Hindu festivals which is still celebrated with a great devotion. Onam marks the homecoming of King Mahabali, a legendary king, who ruled Kerala in ancient times. That period was believed to be the golden age of Karala, people were happy, free from harm and complete harmony and prosperity was there. This golden age ended when Lord Vamana (an avatar of Lord Vishnu) pushed King Mahabali, deep into the earth. Satisfied by Mahabali’s honesty and generosity, the Lord granted him a wish that he can visit his kingdom and dear subjects once in a year. Onam is celebrated for ten days - Atham is the first day and Thiruvonam is the final day of the celebration. Kamal Sandesh Parivar wishes a Happy Onam to its esteemed readers

4 Kamal Sandesh September 16-30, 2013 Congress cannot fool people on missing Coalgate files

he files of Coalgate scam have been made to disappear. From nation’s parliament to every village chaupal it is common refrain these days, ‘what Tkind of Congress led UPA government is this?’ After a scam is exposed, the concerned ministry or department first of all is supposed to secure the evidences. The investigating agency takes all the documents in its custody. And in the case of Coalgate scam the CBI is working under the direction of Supreme Court. The disappearance of files in such circumstances is not an ordinary incident. There may be some evidence in those missing files which could have proved explosive for the national politics. People are saying that these files were not missing but were made to disappear. The needle of suspicion is moving towards Congress led government at the Centre. The explanation given by Dr. Manmohan Singh in the parliament due to Opposition and more particularly BJP’s demand has also brought him in the ambit of suspicion. It would be fit to mention here that when the government itself vanishes from among the people then files are made to disappear in the same fashion. Now the question arises whether a peon can take the risk of ‘disappearing’ the file or the officer under whose custody the files are kept. After all who knew about those files? Who knew about the content and evidence? Whether this secret was known to ordinary officers or to minister and secretary level officials? Doesthe Prime Minister understand the gravity of the situation? If it is so then why there is no FIR? Why seven days were allowed to pass? Is there no importance of Coalgate scam in the eyes of Prime Minister? Does Supreme Court hold any importance in the eyes of Prime Minister? Why so much of carelessness? In the Lok Sabha Prime Minister says how it can be accepted now that files are missing. Does the Prime Minister think that parliament and people of this country are fool? Country is taking the issue very seriously. The Congress led UPA government is not serious. Those who are giving support to the Congress led UPA government; they will also be not spared. People know as to who is defending the government against all these scams. Therefore their face will also be blackened.

Editorial... Prime Minister is the pride of the nation. He can be elected from any party but Prime Minister belongs to all. Prime Minister is the protector of tricolor, border, constitution, parliament and the pride and self-respect of every Indian. He is the pride of the ramparts of the Red fort. But maybe Manmohan Singh forgot all these things. There is a huge difference between self-pride and the pride of the nation. He should not be a man of zero-self-respect and zero-pride. Determination should be his hallmark. If a thief robs a government then can we call it a government or a ‘decayinggovernment’? The Congress led UPA government is a decaying government and it will not be justified to keep it rotting for long. So let us come together and save the nation by conducting people’s surgery of this decaying government as per democratic norm. Kamal Sandesh September 16-30, 2013 5 Cover Story : Chhattisgarh Vikas Yatra Chhattisgarh has revolutionized the PDS system : Narendra Modi hri Narendra Modi got the opportunity to come to in Karnataka, Rajasthan and addressed a massive BJP Chhattisgarh in 2008 when the Himachal Pradesh. He recalled S public meeting at scheme to give rice to the poor that when the progress of the Ambikapur in Chhattisgarh. The was launched. “The Honourable states on the 20 Point meeting was a part of Dr. Raman Supreme Court that rebukes the programme was evaluated, the Singh’s Vikas Yatra, which had Centre praised Dr. Raman top five states would be either commenced in May. BJP Singh’s initiative of giving food BJP or NDA ruled states and that National President Shri Rajnath to the poor. What Dr. Raman is why rather than making Singh and BJP Central Election Singh has done is a matter of Campaign Committee Chairman & Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Modi appealed to the people of Chhattisgarh to take the state ahead under the leadership of Dr. Raman Singh for the third time. He also called for spreading awareness about voter registration across the state. Praising the work of Dr. Raman Singh, Shri Modi stated, “When Dr. Raman Singh became the Chief Minister, he had two ways ahead of him. The first was to complain day and night and ask Delhi to give the state great pride,” he pointed Shri amends to their own something. The other option was Modi shared that the Gujarat Governments, the Centre to take Chhattisgarh on the path Government always seeks to stopped the evaluation of development on the strength learn from the best government altogether. of its youth and tribal practices of other states and that Taking a dig at Dr. communities. Dr. Raman Singh is why officials from Manmohan Singh and praising did not wait for Delhi. He Chhattisgarh had come to Dr. Raman Singh, Shri Modi decided to let Delhi do as it feels Gujarat to share the working of said, “Chhattisgarh has a Singh, but the state will move ahead on the PDS system. He added that Delhi also has a Singh. Both have its strength. Yes, this path was he himself sat during the session completed ten years in power. tough. It is very easy to go to Delhi to hear them. Both are doctors also. Dr. Raman and ask but Dr. Raman Singh During his speech, Shri Singh is a doctor of humans, Dr. did not do that. He fought but Modi showered praise on the Singh is a doctor of money and never bowed down.” development works done by see what has happened to the Shri Modi further praised various BJP Governments, be it Rupee, which is oscillating several initiatives of the Dr. the current Governments of Shri between life and death.” Raman Singh-led Government in in Sharpening his attack on the Chhattisgarh, most notably the Madhya Pradesh, Dr. Raman UPA Shri Modi pointed that in Chhattisgarh Government’s Singh in Chhattisgarh, Shri the journey of a nation there will efforts to revolutionize the PDS in Goa and be good times and there will be system. He recalled that he had the previous BJP Governments bad times but leadership is tested

6 Kamal Sandesh September 16-30, 2013 on how the people are assured the person on whom the during the BJP rule in 2000, there and their trust remains in tact Congress is heavily banking on, was joy across all the states but during the bad times. However, saying that poverty is a state of in contrast, the situation is Shri Modi added that for the first the mind. He also wondered different when the Congress time there is a Government whose what his grandmother, who announced Telangana. He work culture is characterized by coined the slogan of Garibi Hatao opined that this is because the arrogance and their style is not would be extremely sad to hear Congress does not consider the to answer the people. He said, his view. The Chief Minister people as citizens but as “Common people are being likened such behavior on the part votebanks and due to that even affected by price rise, children of the Centre as throwing acid if the Congress touches gold, it are weeping but the Government on the wounds of the poor. becomes dust and the problems of the people increase. Earlier during the event, BJP President Shri Rajnath Singh described Shri Narendra Modi as the most popular leader of the nation. He added that the Congress is envious of Shri Modi’s popularity and that is why they are hurling is busy defining poverty. The Referring to the Congress Party, allegations at him. Planning Commission that is Shri Modi affirmed, “Congress He affirmed that the attacks headed by the Prime Minister is very arrogant but when efforts on Shri Modi may sharpen but says that the poor can live with are made to walk over the anger the entire nation and the entire Rs. 32/- a day in cities and Rs. of the people, they destroy this BJP stands with Shri Modi. Shri 27/- a day in villages. And, their arrogance through the medium Singh lauded the performance of ministers, leaders, of democracy.” the Chhattisgarh Government spokespersons are saying that in Targeting the Centre on the under Dr. Raman Singh and Rs. 5/- you will get whatever issue of the coal scam Shri Modi compared the good work done you want. More than angry, I am affirmed, “There was a debate by Atal ji’s NDA Government concerned that there are such on the missing coal files in with the current mess under the people sitting in Delhi who do Parliament. The Supreme Court UPA. not even know how much the is asking, the Parliament is Dr. Raman Singh spoke at poor spend. They do not even worried but the people are asking length about the efforts of the know the problems a Mother has where is the Government? The Chhattisgarh Government to to face to give two square meals Government is lost, the money is transform the state and take it on to her children.” He described lost from the coffers and their the path of the development. He the Government as insensitive honour is lost a well!” spoke about the PDS reforms and and devoid of humanity. The Chief Minister shared the Ambulance services that save Referring to recent that when he comes to the lives of many people. statements made by the Congress Chhattisgarh, he remembers Top Ministers, MLAs, MPs Vice President that poverty is a former Prime Minister Shri Atal and other office bearers of the state of mind, the Chief Minister Bihari Vajpayee. He stated that BJP were present on the said that he was shocked to hear when three states were created occasion.

Kamal Sandesh September 16-30, 2013 7 Joint statement on the conclusion of Monsoon Session Every Parliamentary instrument utilized to highlight the failures of UPA : BJP

aced with a huge anti- economy, the Party utilized every incumbency, non- Parliamentary instrument to Fperformance, serious highlight the failures of the UPA. allegations of corruption and Separate discussions on the state mismanagement of the economy, of economy, on Demand for the UPA government had Grants were held. Even a initially decided upon a escapist reluctant Prime Minister was route by cutting short the size of compelled to make a statement the Monsoon Session. Its strategy on the state of the economy and was to merely pass certain key face the grilling before legislations of the government Joint statement issued by Parliament. and leave inadequate time on The BJP has been in the other subjects of public interest, Leader of Opposition in forefront of highlighting the which the Opposition wanted to Lok Sabha Smt. Sushma blunders committed during the have. This move of the UPA government. The highlight government did not succeed. The Swaraj and Leader of of this session was repeated Congress Party (not the UPA Opposition in Rajya discussions on the Coal Block government) announced a Allocation scam, wherein the decision to carve out a separate Sabha Shri Arun Jaitley government of the day was state of Telangana on the eve of on the conclusion of the seriously exposed with regard to the Monsoon Session. It was the missing coal files. The Coal obvious that this announcement Monsoon Session of Block Allocation scam involves would cast a shadow on this Parliament, on arbitrariness, nepotism, loss of Session. It indeed did. The BJP revenue and corruption. The utilized the session on raising September 7, 2013. Supreme Court is monitoring the the issue of Telangana and investigations. Notwithstanding exposing the complete The BJP had decided to use the fact that there is an extensive mismanagement of the UPA. The the Parliament as a forum for scrutiny by the Supreme Court, BJP fully supports the creation exposing the blunders of the Parliament, media and public of Telangana as a separate state. UPA. We were, therefore, opinion, the crucial files of the The BJP would have preferred extremely keen on utilizing the Coal Block Allocation during the that a Bill for creation of Parliament forum to the extent period 2006-09 have Telangana been brought in the possible for discussion and disappeared. The disappearance Monsoon Session itself. The BJP, debates. of the files is an attempt to in the discussion on Telangana, Discussions destroy the evidence. The BJP also highlighted the difference The economy is in deep insisted in both House of with regard to the manner in crisis. The Rupee had been Parliament for a response by the which the NDA had created collapsing. The growth rates are Government and being three states viz. Uttarakhand, down. Investment is shrinking; dissatisfied with response of the Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. the UPA government is a mere Minister insisted on the Prime There was not a single protest helpless spectator, depending Minister speaking on this subject. held then, as against the complete predominantly on ‘external Regrettably, neither the Minister mismanagement of the UPA on factors’ to resolve the problem. nor the Prime Minister had any the creation of Telangana. On the mismanagement of the satisfactory answer.

8 Kamal Sandesh September 16-30, 2013 The Uttarakhand tragedy original schemes of the Central Government’s Bill to amend the and a complete neglect of the government and many State RTI Act to exempt the political State in providing relief work governments. parties from its purview, as also was raised through special Land Acquisition : The BJP to allow convicted MPs to attend discussions by the BJP in both was firmly in support of legislative bodies required a Houses of Parliament. Senior increasing the amount of larger consultation. In view of leaders of the Party exposed the compensation being paid to its doubtful constitutionality, the callousness of the government Indian farmers when their land Party required them to be referred when human life and property was being compulsorily to the Standing Committee. On was in danger. Besides several acquired. The Party, therefore, the Judicial Appointment other issues such as – killing of supported the Bill on the Commission, the BJP is firmly of our soldiers by Pakistani Army, principle of higher the Opinion that whereas such a encroachment of Indian territory compensation to the farmer. The Commission is required, there by China, and the arrest of Yasin Party, however, wanted to should be proper consultation Bhatkal and non-cooperation by balance the larger interest of the on such a serious issue. The the state of Bihar were amongst farmers with requirements of Government wanted to rush the key issues highlighted by the economic development. The through the Constitutional BJP. This session also polarized Party, therefore, suggested amendment creating the Judicial the Parliament between strong several amendments on the floor Appointments Commission critics of the government and of the House by virtue of which which would have led to a those who are direct or proxy infrastructure, industry, hiatus and freezing of the judicial supporters of the government. irrigation project would continue appointments as the creation of Legislations to be developed along with the alternative mechanism of This was also a session, in greater magnanimity being National Judicial Commission which the government was keen shown to the interest of the was still pending before the to legislate on several important farmers. Standing Committee. The BJP is matters. The BJP played its role PFRDA Bill : The BJP of the opinion that since the as an effective Opposition in the supported the passage of the constitutional amendment has matter of legislation. Some Pension Fund Regulatory and not been approved by the Lok illustrations are as under- Development Authority Bill as Sabha, the government must Food Security Bill : In the the concept of a regulatory reconsider its stand and refer it National Food Security Bill, the authority for this crucial to Parliamentary committee for Party, while supporting the financial sector was originally discussion and improvement so measure in larger public interest, mooted by the NDA government. that it is available for insisted on several amendments The Party also ensured that the consideration before the to make the Bill more effective. It FDI in this sector was capped at Parliament at the earliest. highlighted the fact that, neither 26 percent as against the UPA’s The BJP looks upon this the financial outlay for the food bid to hike it to 49 percent at one session with a sense of security would be increased nor go. This is consistent with the satisfaction. The Members of the reach as to the number of NDA‘s policy of calibrated Parliament have worked beneficiaries would be increased. liberalization in financial sector. overtime to highlight issues of The Party further highlighted The Party supported a large public importance to both that for several vulnerable number of social welfare support and amend various sections like the BPL category, legislations like Street Vendors, government proposals. The Party the quantum of the subsidized Manual Scavenger Bills etc. The believes that it has played its role food, to which they were entitled, Party, however, was against effectively. would be reduced and price hasty decisions on bills against Its stand was motivated being charged was higher than higher accountability for those purely by responsible the price at which food was in politics and public life. Thus Opposition and larger public being made available under the the Party insisted that the interest.

Kamal Sandesh September 16-30, 2013 9 On Land Acquisition Bill Lok Sabha No provision for people living in Jhuggi-Jhoparis : Rajnath Singh

he Land Acquisition Bill that it includes commercial has come up for activities also but I would like to Tdiscussion in the House refer to the special economic zone. after a long wait. I have studied The entire House knows the this Bill in details. But I have objective behind setting up found that there are several special economic zones. So many important aspects which have SEZs have been set up in the completely been ignored. The country but many of them are yet seriousness with which the non functional. Farmers land interests of the farmers, the poor was acquired indiscriminately should have been taken into for the purpose. The term ‘public account has not been done. purpose’ is ambiguous. I want Rather more emphasis has been clarification on this. given on cities and industries. The norms described for Though I am not against cities Synopsis of the speech land acquisition for government and industries, they should do delivered by BJP National and private projects are not get all the facilities, at the same President Shri Rajnath uniformed. What was the time efforts should be made to Singh on August 29, 2013 problem in making them uniform solve the problems being faced by I would also like a clarification villages, poor and farmers. while initiating the on this. I have an apprehension Although the Government has discussion on Land that the forceful acquisition of made efforts to make this Bill Acquisition Bill. land would continue even after slightly better than the previous ~~~~~~~☯☯☯~~~~~~~ this Bill. The process of social ones, it seems that this Bill has impact assessment and lost its original objective. We cannot link land with environmental impact assessment should be economic activities alone, farmers are emotionally initiated in a time bound manner before acquisition and culturally attached to it. The manner in which of the land. In our country about 20 per cent cases there has been indiscriminate acquisition of land related to land titles are sub-judiced. There is no in the name of economic development pre and provision in the Bill to dispose of such cases. I post Independence has created resentment among would like to know from the Hon’ble Minister on the farmers. Land acquisition has led to this. I would like to draw the attention towards displacement of about 6.5 crore farmers. This Bill clause 9 of the Bill which exempts social impact has been amended thrice i.e. in 1962, 1967 and assessment invoking the urgency provisions under 1984 since 1894. The farmers are of the view that section 38. This is the problem which is being their land should be acquired in such a manner faced by our villages in regard to land acquisition. that it should not create any crisis for their family How this problem going to be solved, I would like in future. The Government should pay attention to know from the Minister. I suggest that clause 9 towards this. Despite the above amendments the should be done away with. Clause 10 of this Bill farmers of the country did not get any relief. This mentions that no irrigated multi cropped land Bill finds a way out for acquisition of land for should be acquired but sub- section (2) of section private sector through inclusion of the term ‘public 2 makes a way for acquisition of such land. We are purpose’ in this Bill. A long list of public purposes of the view that cultivable land should not be has been appended to this Bill which includes acquired without the consent of concerned farmers. infrastructure also. This term is so omprehensive I also suggest that this Bill should be implemented

10 Kamal Sandesh September 16-30, 2013 with a retrospective effect in such cases also where farmers have Uttarakhand govt. failed comprehensively during recent floods not yet taken compensation or the Government has not yet paid Sushma Swaraj demands dismissal of Govt. compensation or the process of Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj on acquisition has not been September 04 demanded the completed. Clause 39 of this Bill dismissal of the Uttarakhand is very dangerous where district Government for its failure to collector can take possession of take proper action during the land 30 days after publishing a recent floods. Initiating a notice for the same invoking discussing in the Lok Sabha on urgency provisions. I want that this subject, she also demanded this clause should also be done a complete ban on construction away with. The clause 45 of this of dams on rivers like the Ganga Bill mentions that land to prevent catastrophes in acquisition, rehabilitation and future. resettlement authority would be “The State Government is set up but this is not clear ineffective and irresponsible. It has done nothing,” she said, claiming whether such an authority timely alerts could have saved many lives. She found fault with the would be set up at state level or rampant construction activities for the calamity. She noted that central level. We are of the view Uttarakhand floods affected the entire nation and that that such an authority should be communication system in the affected areas could have been restored set up at district level or at the early. She wondered why the Government still does not have the most at commissionery level, exact number of people who died during the floods, especially in because most of the land disputes this age of advanced technologies. are at district level. Such cases Asking why there was inordinate delay in carrying out relief should be disposed of quickly. work, Smt. Swaraj said, “It is a dismal scenario”. Suggesting measures Clause 95 of the Bill is related to to prevent such calamities in future, she said all pilgrims should be the return of unutilized land. It asked to register themselves with the Government and micro chips says that if the land acquired should be provided so that they can be tracked. remains utilized for a period of ten years from the date of taking over the possession the same country under the laws enacted shall return to the land bank of by the centre and state Clause 39 of this Bill the Government. I want to know governments but it is strange that is very dangerous can’t this land be returned to the the provisions of this bill will concerned farmers. I would also not be applicable to these laws. where district like a clarification from the What is the rationale behind collector can take hon’ble Minister in this regard. I keeping these laws outside possession of land also wish to register my purview of this Bill? I would also complaint regarding the norms like to suggest that a provision 30 days after prescribed for providing should be made in this Bill as to publishing a notice compensation because amount whether the land of the farmers of compensation is very less. We should be taken on lease or for the same invoking see that so many poor people are acquired be left on the consent of urgency provisions. I living in Jhuggi Jhoparis the farmers. Finally, I would like want that this clause miserable condition in to urge upon the Hon’ble metropolitan cities including Minister to kindly accede to as should also be done Delhi. There is no provision for many amendments as he could away with. such people in this Bill. 90 per at his discretion so as to make cent of acquisition is done in this this Bill farmer friendly.

Kamal Sandesh September 16-30, 2013 11 On Food Security Bill Lok Sabha Element of nutrition completely ignored : Dr. Joshi n Her Address in the poor but there is no June, 2009 the hon. mention as to how this IPresident had said meal would be delivered that Her Government from door to door? What would bring a Food mechanism would be Security Bill in the House. put in place for this This Government has purpose? The taken four and a half years Government is in bringing this Bill. I promising utopia. This thought that the Government has not yet Government would have even ascertained the taken every aspect into correct number of BPL consideration for families in the country. providing food security to Now this Government the people of the nation Synopsis of the speech delivered by has left this task to the while bringing this Bill but Former BJP National President Dr. Tendulkar Committee. this has not happened. Murli Manohar Joshi in Lok Sabha on Dharavi in Mumbai is the There is a mention of Food Security Bill on August 26, 2013. biggest slum of the world adequate food in this Bill ~~~~~~~☯☯☯~~~~~~~ where one million people but what does this term are residing but there are really imply. How much food would be adequate only 141 BPL card holders. If this is the number of food? As per the suggestion of ICMR an adult poor residing there then all are rich in India. This person should consume 14 kg of foodgrains per is how the Government counts the BPL families. month according to international standards. This India ranks 66th among 88 developing nations Bill provides for only 5 kg. foodgrains to a person in the Global Hunger Index list. We are only one per month. There is no provision of pulses, ghee, notch above Zimbabwe. Even Bhutan and Nepal salt etc. along with foodgrains to be provided under are placed above us. Similarly, we rank 132nd in this Bill. the United Nations Human Development Index. The element of nutrition has completely been This is the condition of our country but the ignored. As per the Report of 2009 of the Ministry Government says that the number of the poor is of Rural Development, the intake of foodgrains of decreasing whereas the reality is the other way the poorest of the poor in rural India was 9.88 kg. round. When it comes to per capita foodgrains, we Now, the Government has reduced the calorie stand where we were in 1947. We should be grateful intake from 2100 to 1500. This Government claims to our farmers that they have been able to feed our that with the passage of this Bill the poor would ever burgeoning population. You are creating get rid of starvation. The Government says that 75 scarcity under some design. You are formulating per cent rural people and 50 per cent urban people such policies that a large segment of the population would be covered under this Bill but what about of this country remains poor and hungry. By the remaining 50 per cent urban people? The bringing this Bill, you want to woo the people and objective of this Bill should have been universal create an atmosphere that this law is being brought i.e. food security for all as has been mentioned in for the hungry, poor people whereas the fact is that the Address of hon. President in 2009. this is your duty. You have stated in the Bill that The Government of Chhattisgarh is giving you have sympathy for the farmers. But, two food security to 90 per cent population. Pandit thousand five hundred farmers are giving up Jawaharlal Nehru once said “Everything else can agriculture everyday in the country. Marginal wait but not agriculture” but it seems that the farmers are being ruined. The number of suicides Government did not pay any attention to that. by such farmers is increasing. I want to ask whether This Bill provides for giving hot cooked meal to you are providing remunerative prices and MSP

12 Kamal Sandesh September 16-30, 2013 for their produce. The contribution BJP North-East India Sampark Cell of agriculture to GDP is on the decline in the country. Today, agriculture Picture of North-East can only be changed by makes 15 per cent contribution to our GDP. Considering this fact, changing the mindset of people : Ahluwalia agriculture should have 90 per cent he National Executive Committee meet of BJP North East impact on our economy. It has been India Sampark Cell was held at BJP National Headquarters stated in this regard that storage on 02 September 2013 in New Delhi. Executive Committee facility will be provided. But it is not T members of North East India Sampark Cell and delegates from clear why the warehouses are not all over India were present on the occasion. being constructed and why wastage of food is going on. It has been stated that priority would be given to transportation of foodgrains and to providing sufficient number of rakes. But, I want to ask in how many years these rakes are going to be provided and which company is providing these rakes. So far as healthcare is concerned, we are aware of the condition of healthcare in our country. In World Hunger Index, the number of persons suffering from starvation in the country is reported to be 20 crore. Provision of 166 gram foodgrains per person per day cannot satiate The function was inaugurated by BJP National Vice the hunger of any person in this President Shri SS Ahluwalia. Speaking on the occasion Shri country. Once there is a food security Ahluwalia also presented a detailed roadmap for North East in the country, its borders, its India narrating the strategy to be taken in the region. He said that economy and its currency will also there is a need to bring change in the attitude of the people from be secured. If you cannot provide rest of India towards the people of North-East and this can bring food security to hundred percent transformation at large. population, this Bill will remain on Shri Ahluwalia also said the picture of North-East can only paper only. I want to know from be changed by changing the mindset of people. BJP National where will you arrange funds for this North-East India Samparak Cell Convener Shri Sunil Deodhar and make a budgetary provision also presented the blueprint of the work done by the Cell in the therefor? Why is the Government last session and the roadmap for the future. The first Executive shying away from implementing Committee meet was completed with the address of in-charge of Akshaypatra Yojana for children? Mizoram State BJP and National Executive member Shri Nalin Under this scheme, 10 lakh children Kohli. are being provided food today. There Shri Kohli said regular and continuous communication is is a need to pay attention to the essentially required between the people of North East and rest shortcomings in the Bill. The of India so that national integration gets established. There should Government should first modify the be cultural exchange programmes and events on a regular basis Bill in its present form and then bring in order to establish cultural and social bond with the region. it before the House. There should be In order to encourage party members to contribute more no problem in this because you have towards achieving their goals, the BJP North East India Sampark already adopted the ordinance route. Cell on the occasion of the National Executive conferred the The Government has already taken Karmayogi Award on Shri Dipok Kumar Barthakur from Assam. the mileage of its propaganda. Kamal Sandesh September 16-30, 2013 13 On Food Security Bill Rajya Sabha Bill merely repackages the existing schemes : Arun Jaitley Synopsis of the speech delivered by Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Shri Arun Jaitley on the Ordinance and the Bill relating to Food Security on September 2, 2013.

he Food Security Ordinance is an abuse of eligible households of the legislative power to issue within a period of 365 TOrdinances. An Ordinance under days of the Article 123 is issued when issues of extreme commencement of the urgency arise and cannot await a forthcoming Act. Identification and Parliament Session. The matter must be of distribution of food such urgency between the date of issuance of grains under this Act the Ordinance and Parliament Session that it can therefore only is difficult to wait for that period. The take place in the latter Ordinance in the instant case was issued on part of 2014 at the July 5, 2013 earliest. Till then the It is, therefore, essential and the existing food grain that not only a wider Parliament scheme shall consultation of the was convened continue. What was States is held but also on August 5, the urgency then in 2013. What is issuing the ordinance that a certain amount of it that had to on July 5, 2013 itself? This is a gross abuse of the flexibility is given to the happen between ordinance issuing power. States as to the nature these 30 days that A perusal of the Bill shows that 30 key of the food distributed. could not wait a functions under this Bill are all to be performed by The extent of coverage legislative the State governments. Ration cards are to be discussion and a issued by the state governments [Clause 2 (16)]. and the expanse of legislative approval Distribution of the food grains has to be done by nutritional value is to the Bill? Clause 3 the state governments [Clause 3 (1)]. Alteration of determined by them. of the Bill provides the food grains has to be done by the state That one size will fit for priority governments [Clause 3(3)]. Identification of the every state is unknown households to Anganwadis has to be done by the state receive a certain governments [Clause 6]. Distribution of mandatory to the federal system of amount of doles has to be done by the state governments India. Since the law is subsidized [Clause 8]. Identification of the priority households almost in its entirety to foodgrain. Clause 9 is to be done by the state governments [Clause 10]. be implemented by the empowers the Updating of the list is to be done by the State states, it would be Central Governments [Clause 10 (2)]. Display of the list Government to fix a has to be done by the State Governments [Clause appropriate for the percentage coverage 11]. Reforms are to be undertaken inter alia by the Centre to make it for rural and urban State Governments [Clause 12]. Grievance redressal mandatory for every areas. Clause 10 mechanism has to be determined by the state state to have a Food provides for governments [Clause 14]. All appointments to the Bill. identification and State Food Commission have to be done by the preparation of a list state governments [Clause 16]. It is the obligation

14 Kamal Sandesh September 16-30, 2013 of the State Governments to monitor the scheme of Meal, ICDS, National Food Security Mission, the Centre [Clause 24]. Local authorities, being Computerization and Warehousing, already made responsible for this scheme is to be done by provided for Rs. 124,844 crores. the State Government [Clause 25]. Maintenance For the BPL category, the quantum of food and public disclosure is to be done by the State grain in fact will reduce from 35 kg per family to Governments [Clause 26]. Authorization of local 5 kg per person, which amounts roughly 25 kg per authorities is to be done by the State Governments month for a family of 5 persons. The number of [Clause 28]. Rules are to be made by the State beneficiaries under the existing food grain schemes Governments [Clause 40]. These are only some of is 18.04 crore households i.e. 82.99 crore people. the important functions states under this law. This figure will be reduced to 81.37 crore people It is, therefore, essential that not only a wider under the new scheme. consultation of the States is held but also that a For states such as Chattisgarh and several certain amount of flexibility is given to the States other states, where 35 kg of food grain, 2 kg of as to the nature of the food distributed. The extent gram/dal, 1.3kg sugar and 2 kg free iodized salt of coverage and the expanse of nutritional value is is given to 42 lakh determined by them. That one size will fit every families out of a total state is unknown to the federal system of India. of 56 lakh families. The the Bill is an abuse Since the law is almost in its entirety to be present Food Bill will of the ordinance implemented by the states, it would be appropriate reduce the entitlement issuing power. It for the Centre to make it mandatory for every state both in terms of extent to have a Food Bill. of coverage as also the legislates on the The contention that this bill gives us statutory nutritional value. The subject which has right to food rather than entitlement under the Central legislation to be implemented existing schemes is fallacious. The language of the therefore must factor in entirely by the bill itself shows that the right is flexible and can more liberal schemes be varied by the State. Under Clause 3 (2), the being offered by the States. It merely coverage to the extent of 75% rural population and States. The states like repackages the 50% urban population is the outer limit. It is the Chattisgarh are existing schemes cap. It is not the mandatory recommendation of offering food-grain at the minimum extent of coverage. The words under Rs. 1/kg. This Act is of the Government. the Clause make it essential for the eligible going to charge twice It neither increases households to get food at subsidized prices. It this price, since the the coverage of the provides that the number of households extends Central Government up to 75% of rural population and 50% of urban Scheme provides for existing schemes population. Thus by keeping the percentage as twice or thrice the nor the financial flexible, the right will always at best become an value of the State, it grant to them. entitlement, because the number of people to be must necessarily factor covered under the bill will always remain flexible. in the larger schemes Similarly, Clause 9 empowers the Central being offered by the States. The quantity is reduced Government and not the State Governments to vary and the cost increased. this percentage coverage. The Bill can be operated Lastly, the Bill is an abuse of the ordinance only within these parameters. issuing power. It legislates on the subject which All existing food schemes provide for subsidy has to be implemented entirely by the States. It this year upto Rs. 113,000 crores. The Minister has merely repackages the existing schemes of the informed the Rajya Sabha on 23rd August 2013 Government. It neither increases the coverage of that after the Food Bill, the subsidy will increase the existing schemes nor the financial grant to to Rs. 125,000 crores. The much touted Food Bill them. It is inferior to what the State governments will thus increase the subsidy by only Rs. 12,000 are already offering. It is offering lesser food at crores. The budget documents for this year under costlier prices, and yet the UPA government various schemes including the TPDS, Mid Day chooses to call it ‘National Food Security Bill’.

Kamal Sandesh September 16-30, 2013 15 On Food Security Bill Rajya Sabha You never felt any need to provide food security : Naidu Synopsis of the speech delivered by former BJP National President Shri M.Venkaiah Naidu on Food Security Bill on September 2, 2013 in Rajya Sabha.

he BJP is for the food security of all the people may go for a levy on rice and the farmers will be of the country. For 67 years, you have totally forced to sell it to the Government agency first. Tneglected the common people and poor people. They will not get remunerative prices from You never felt that there is any need to provide them market. Procurement is a major challenge. Where food security. Suddenly, on the eve of elections, you is the infrastructure? Where are the godowns? realized that there is a need for food security. The We have failed in providing storage capacity. Government is trying to get vote security in the name The real worry is how are you going to finance of food security. This is nothing but an the scheme? Fiscal deficit is on the electoral gimmick. The Government has rise. Current Account Deficit is betrayed the people on every count. Food increasing. Your subsidy bill is security can be provided if there is increasing. Investments are flowing satisfaction among the farmers of the out. Investors, both domestic and country. How you are going to global, have lost confidence. Large- encourage the farmers to produce more? scale unemployment is looming Unless you produce more, you cannot large. The experts are warning that meet the requirement. this Bill may play havoc with The population is growing, the Government finances. In the next consumption levels are increasing but few years, growing subsidies could the production levels are not commensurate with the restrict employment opportunities including consumption levels. The agriculture is in dire crisis. agricultural sector. The outgoing Governor of People are waiting for the Government to take action RBI said that the only solution to our rupee on the Swaminathan Commission recommendations problem is to reduce Current Account Deficit with regard to fixing the minimum support price. (CAD). We have seen CAD to be well above the This Food Security Bill can be implemented if you sustainable level for three years in a row. If the produce 350 million tonnes extra. The Government inflation goes up and the Government is not has not outlined any steps in this Bill with regard to able to contain the prices and control inflation, providing safety, security and incentive to the farming then what will happen to the common people? community. The number of cultivators has declined The fact is that there is problem of during the last decade from 127.3 million to 118.7 malnutrition in the country and without million. The prices of seeds are going up. The cost of covering the aspect of the nutrition, how are cultivation is going up. All the agriculture input costs you going to take care of those children? My are going up. The cost of production per quintal of point to you is, please don’t attack the federal paddy is Rs. 1,355 whereas the Minimum Support system of the country. Please allow the States to Price fixed is Rs.1,080. How do you expect the farmer have their own schemes. If you want to to produce more? The Government is not able to supplement them, supplement those States’ understand the seriousness of the situation at the programmes fully. The Food Bill is not going to grass-root level. Thousands of farmers are committing be such a good Bill. It is going to be a very heavy suicide. While giving incentives for the food security, Bill. You are talking of so many things on the they should have given some incentives for producing eve of the elections. Giving lollypops and the food also. They should have taken some welfare making empty promises without proper measures for the farmers also. First of all, assure the allocation at the last moment is not going to House, assure the country about providing serve the purpose. The concept of food security sustainability for the agriculture. The fear among the is nobody objecting. States of Chhattisgarh, farming community is that tomorrow the State Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and other States are Governments, guided by the Central Government, implementing it in a better manner.

16 Kamal Sandesh September 16-30, 2013 It’s Déjà Vu all over again By Yashwant Sinha uring the last two years, The only way out of most corrupt in Indian history. the UPA government We seem to have become a Dpostponed tough the crisis is for the country where everyone believes decisions and invited a full- UPA to seek a that it is fine to lie, cheat and blown economic crisis. We are steal. From the lowest to the plunging into a downward fresh mandate from highest, everyone is working economic spiral, such as in 1990 the electorate now some deal to line their pockets. and 1998. It is déjà vu all over Opaque allocation of coal, iron again. ~~~~~~~☯☯☯~~~~~~~ ore and spectrum has led the Several Congressmen have Supreme Court to shut down all attacked me for being critical of such allocations. the UPA government, but I have these chronic problems was to Multinational companies to speak up in the national invest in building India’s are losing faith in India. They interest. The lessons of 1984-89 national strength: our key believe that their money and and 1996-98 have been forgotten. industries, infrastructure, assets are not safe here. In some Then, we had governments that education and so on. Despite cases, their own Indian hoped to use fiscal populism to many trials and tribulations like executives swindle money and improve their chances in the Asian financial crisis and the cook the books. Foreign investors impending national elections. economic sanctions after found that many promoters that GDP growth slowed due to Pokharan II, we managed to they regarded as daring policy paralysis, inflation shot accomplish all this and left the entrepreneurs were actually up, the fiscal deficit and the nation stronger than we had crony capitalists paying off current account deficits became inherited. government officials to gain unmanageable. Once foreigners Operation Demolition unfair advantage. In fact, stopped funding our profligate During the UPA’s nine years corruption has led many good ways, we had no choice but to in power, I have watched with Indian companies to decide to depreciate the rupee, seek foreign concern the demolition of all the invest abroad. loans with strings attached, raise achievements of that era. The With elections looming and interest rates and practice fiscal government let the economy drift growth slowing, the UPA austerity. and deferred making policy decided to embark on several Indians suffered from higher decisions. For example, we have massive entitlement prices, fewer jobs and lower not implemented the Direct programmes. With mining shut quality of life. I know this Taxes Code or the goods and down and coal being imported, because I was the finance services tax. Our financial the current account deficit has minister in 1990 and 1998. institutions are again afflicted shot through the roof and put When the NDA came to with high bad debts. pressure on the rupee. Inflation power in 1998, we resolved to We have not freed oil is surging and people are buying address the chronic marketing companies to deal gold, since they do not trust the macroeconomic problems that with oil subsidies. PSUs have financial system to protect their India had faced since been further shackled and their assets. Independence: slow growth, position has eroded. Tax policies These policies will make high inflation, high interest rates have been capricious. India vulnerable to external and recurring balance- Corruption has been the shocks that could easily trigger ofpayments crisis. fatal blow to the economy. The another balanceof-payments The only way to address UPA government has been the crisis. But the government does

Kamal Sandesh September 16-30, 2013 17 not care. Once the US Fed Three day BJP training camp in Sikkim announced that it was considering tapering its quantitative easing, the crisis was BJP Karyakartas should work hard bound to hit India. 1990, 1998, 2013 to give a special place to BJP in What we are facing now is reminiscent of 1990 and 1998. A the hearts of people : Ram Lal weak government is plunging India into crisis. Foreign investors ikkim BJP organized a Ram Lal addressed the have lost faith in India and will three day training camp gathering. He discussed about demand harsh conditions to send from 31st August to 2nd the election management and dollars to us. The Indian public is S September in Jorethang (South mainly focused about the booth going to be penalised for the Sikkim district). It got a good agent and the strategies to be government’s mistakes. response from the Karyakartas applied for the forth coming The UPA cannot whitewash and around 75 BJP members Vidhan Sabha and Lok Sabha this by blaming external factors. attended the training camp. The elections in 2014. The crisis needs tough members of other local political In the second session the decisions: inflation will have to parties of Sikkim also attended West Bengal BJP (Organization be controlled, spending may have the training workshop for two Secretary) Shri Amal to be curtailed, tax policies Chakravarty modified and investors assured. spoke on the A leaderless government cannot birth and undertake such actions. The only growth of BJP honourable course of action for from Jan Sangh the government is to accept days. responsibility and ask for a fresh Evening mandate. session was We too have a Dream conducted by The NDA’s economic Sikkim BJP policies are clear. We want to Prabhari Dr. build India’s productive capacity Dineshanand and unleash its entrepreneurial Goswami. He energies. We want industries to explained grow. Foreign investors can trust days. The training camp was about various methods and us to create an investment- inaugurated by the former strategies that we would apply friendly environment and work Member of Parliament of Sikkim with the aim to make BJP enter in in the national interest. Shri Nakul Das Rai flanked by the State Assembly this time. We shall pay the fullest other dignitaries by lightening The concluding day session attention to rural areas and ensure the traditional lamp, on 31st was chaired by North East BJP that the quality of life there match August 2013. Organization Secretary Shri that of cities. We want to create Sikkim Pradesh BJP Panchanan Raut and BJP Sikkim the world’s best safety net President Shri Padam Chhetri Organization Secretary Yadav ji. through a citizen-based registry briefed about the workshop and And the last session was taken that benefits the vulnerable and the program started with huge up by RSS Prant Pracharak Shri the needy. So, let us go to the support and enthusiasm from Basudev Pal. people and let them judge; that is the party Karyakartas. He discussed about the the only way out of the present On the second day of the methods and functioning of an crisis. training BJP National General organization. (The writer is former finance Secretary (Organisation) Shri minister and BJP MP) 18 Kamal Sandesh September 16-30, 2013 It’s the end for the UPA Government By Balbir Punj

hen domestic and the fall: Industry had no trust in persistent doubts even within the foreign investors, the Union Minister for Finance P UPA on the feasibility of the WGovernment’s own Chidambaram’s repeated claims proposed legislation or even the PSUs and economic advisers, last week that the food security need for it, especially when some have all given up on the regime, scheme would not balloon the States — notably BJP-ruled why blame the main Opposition fiscal deficit. A number of Chhattisgarh and the AIADMK- for asking it to pack up and leave independent economists like ruled Tamil Nadu —have sooner than later? Surjit Bhalla, corporate improved upon the existing Twelve hours after the economists like Ashish Vaidya, Public Distribution System to Congress-led UPA passed the rural economic experts like ensure food security. food security Bill in the Lok Ashok Gulati, who heads the Even the other day NCP chief Sabha on August 26, the most National Commission on and Agriculture Minister Sharad non-political reactions came Agricultural Costs and Prices, as Pawar publicly expressed his from the market. Between 9am well as the chief economists of misgivings if the country could when the bourses opened and large Indian and foreign banks grow enough grains to meet the 4.58pm when they were about to have warned that the scheme requirements of the scheme and close, the rupee slid from Rs will cost much more than the still leave something for the open 65.005 to the US dollar to Rs estimated Rs 1.25 lakh crore, market to serve those who are not entitled to the subsidised Industry had no trust in Union Minister for Finance P food. Also, if the Union Chidambaram’s repeated claims last week that the food Government sucks out 63 million security scheme would not balloon the fiscal deficit. A tonnes of food grains from the number of independent economists like Surjit Bhalla, market — where the total surplus corporate economists like Ashish Vaidya, rural economic grains out of an annual production of 250 million tonnes experts like Ashok Gulati, who heads the National is not more than 100 million Commission on Agricultural Costs and Prices, as well as tonnes — food grain prices will the chief economists of large Indian and foreign banks hit the sky. have warned that the scheme will cost much more than the Even if you assume that all estimated Rs 1.25 lakh crore 800 million targeted beneficiaries of the food security 66.19. As the downslide which in itself is also a huge scheme have access to the continued unabated, all amount. In fact, warnings promised quantity at designated indications were that the rupee against the Congress’s mindless shops, another 400 million will might touch 70 to the dollar. The profligacy — allowed by the UPA still be at the mercy of grain concurrent 590 point blow to the merely to satisfy the whims of its merchants who’ll charge Sensex was yet another warning well-sanitised chairperson — exorbitant rates. The middle class that the economy was in a have been in the air for over a will be forced to buy rice/wheat ruthless downward spin. It was year now. at more than Rs 40 a kilo. It will not merely a case of foreign Let us not forget that it took wipe out all chances of exchange speculation, the the Congress four years to get household savings being Sensex drop made clear. the food security Bill accepted maintained at even 26 per cent Market operators did not within the ruling alliance alone. — a figure that has stagnated hide the primary reason behind This was because there were anyway for sometime now due

Kamal Sandesh September 16-30, 2013 19 to the UPA’s economic private sector investors were mismanagement. Lower savings competing to invest abroad The food security Bill means lower investments, and rather than in India, as scams might prove to be the with interest rates going up and hit the Union Government one proverbial last straw aggregate demand falling, after another, and policy (cost Rs 1.25 lakh crore businesses will shrink further paralysis grew worse because a and the economy will go into a worried bureaucracy refused to to three lakh crore tailspin. take any initiatives. rupees) that will break For the last four years, the When domestic and foreign the camel’s back. By Indian economy has been on the investors, the Government’s own sickbed. In January 2011, the PSUs and economic advisers, all some strange eminent economists who have lost trust in Mr coincidence, Ms constitute the Prime Minister’s Chidambaram’s assurances (his Gandhi could not be economic advisory council roadshows in Washington, DC, warned that due to policy Singapore, Hong Kong and present to vote for the paralysis in Government, Tokyo did not fetch a single Bill. Blame destiny? investors are losing confidence additional dollar, as the rupee’s Was it an omen? in the economy. But it was not fate reveals), is the main until after 2011 that the Prime opposition party out-of-line in inflation, foodgrains scarcity and Minister began to speak of asking this regime to fold up? the licence-control raj. resurrecting reform measures. By To be fair to Mr But if Indira Gandhi had to then, even the Government’s own Chidambaram, he is not the real impose Emergency to save her public sector undertakings were villain of this piece; nor is it his career, her daughter-in-law has unwilling to reinvest their predecessor, Pranabda. That burdened the country with a mounting cash surpluses blame must be laid at the number of wild-cat schemes like despite state prodding. Most doorstep of the UPA chairperson the Mahatma Gandhi National who has surrounded herself Rural Employment Guarantee with a set of jholawallahs at the When domestic and Act (cost Rs 1,83 lakh crore), the National Advisory Council. Right to Education Act (cost Rs foreign investors, the These persons enjoy enormous 1.82 lakh crore), the Right to clout in economic policy without Government’s own PSUs Information Act (administration any corresponding and economic advisers, is squirming under it), the Forest responsibility to Parliament. Rights Act (that has brought all have lost trust in Mr The trouble with the UPA mineral production and Government is that it has to listen Chidambaram’s exploration to a standstill) and to this herd of hot heads and assurances (his now the National Food Security ideologues while its chief bends Bill. These costs have clogged the roadshows in over backwards to be seen as pro- fiscal pipelines and expanded Washington, DC, poor. It reminds us of the ‘Garibi fiscal deficit. The food security Hatao’ days of the early 1970s Singapore, Hong Kong Bill might prove to be the when Leftists and Socialists who and Tokyo did not fetch a proverbial last straw (cost Rs 1.25 advised Prime Minister Indira lakh crore to three lakh crore single additional dollar, Gandhi used that slogan to beat rupees) that will break the her political rivals. The economic as the rupee’s fate camel’s back. By some strange disaster that followed the reckless reveals), is the main coincidence, Ms Gandhi could ‘reforms’ of those years — such not be present to vote for the Bill. opposition party out-of- as bank nationalisation, wheat Blame destiny? Was it an trade nationalisation, stopping line in asking this regime omen? to fold up? legitimate donations to political (Writer is BJP National Vice parties — resulted in rising President and Rajya Sabha Member)

20 Kamal Sandesh September 16-30, 2013 Which other democracy has a doormat for a PM? By Kanchan Gupta Manmohan Singh made a pathetic spectacle of himself in Parliament while defending his abysmal failure to halt India’s economic decline. Feckless people like him blame others; they lack the courage to own up and step down.

ornered, bruised and gushing over what he described esteem can’t really expect his battered, the Prime as the Prime Minister ‘striking party colleagues, leave alone CMinister decided to do back’ at the Opposition. Like those in the Opposition, to treat an angry old man act in Rajya much of what he says and writes, him with anything except Sabha on Friday while reading this too is an exaggeration whose contempt as they do. It is only out a banal statement on the purpose would be lost on the natural that the Opposition, ruinous state of the Indian naïve and the ill-informed. barring those individuals who economy. He need not have The perceived ‘anger’ of the are given to supping with Sonia bothered with reading it out; it Prime Minister was not the rage Gandhi in private while may well have been taken as of a wronged man or a slandered denouncing the Congress in read. India was looking forward politician, it was the impotent public, should treat Manmohan to more than a Press Information rage of a feckless person who, Singh as beneath contempt. To Bureau handout and the fact that having offered to serve as the pretend otherwise, as the Prime Minister failed to rise doormat of his boss, can’t figure Manmohan Singh does, is to live to the occasion is as much a out why nobody holds him in in denial. He is welcome to do reflection of his towering high esteem. Had Manmohan so, but he should not expect incompetence as further proof, if Singh been half the person he respect — that’s an unfair at all that is needed, of the huge would like others to believe he expectation. crisis of leadership that the is, he would have raged against As for his ersatz anguish country faces in these troubled Congress president and Nehru- over being called a ‘chor’ — as times. Gandhi Dynasty matriarch Sonia some MPs are believed to have We shall return to what Gandhi and stormed out of office. done while remonstrating Manmohan Singh said, and did Instead he has chosen to not only against the limitless corruption not say, in a while. Before that it supinely do her bidding that has under his tutelage — he need not would be in order to comment fetched rack and ruin to the play Little Red Riding Hood; on his mock heroic anger which national economy but also much worse has been said by has so enthused Congress demean the office he holds, his party and his boss about the stooges in media, one of whom, bringing disrepute to South Opposition and its leaders. an over-rated anchor-turned- Block like no other Prime Surely Manmohan Singh has not editor-in-chief at a media house Minister has ever done, not even forgotten Sonia Gandhi’s vicious which has just sacked hundreds Chandra Shekhar during the few attack on of its staff on account of the months he held that post. in bazaar Hindi spoken in looming economic crisis, A Prime Minister so guttural Italian accent. Or her couldn’t stop blabbering and denuded of honour, integrity and spiteful description of Narendra

Kamal Sandesh September 16-30, 2013 21 Modi as “Maut ka Saudagar”. In not deterred by his which democracy does this In which other democracy Government’s wasteful ways. happen? does a Prime Minister hold The Prime Minister conveniently Leader of Opposition in the himself unaccountable for the forgets that imposing Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley did not sins of omission and commission retrospective taxes on corporates allow despise and loathing to get committed in his watch? In was not the doing of the better of his sense of decency and which other democracy does a Opposition. If licences have been decorum or else in his sharp Prime Minister preside over cancelled by the Supreme Court, repartee he would have gone scam after scam, scandal after causing telecom investors to shy beyond reminding Manmohan scandal without so much as away from India, it is not because Singh that in no other democracy bothering to even offer to the Opposition stalled does a Prime Minister win a resign? In which other Parliament on the Great 2G confidence vote by buying MPs. democracy does a Prime Spectrum Robbery, it is because But neither decency nor decorum Minister shield a Railways Manmohan Singh did nothing need restrain us from asking Minister hawking top jobs to the to stop the robbery that took place Manmohan Singh in which highest bidder? In which other with his full knowledge. If big other democracy does a Prime democracy does a Prime ticket reforms have languished, Minister hold office without Minister ask his Law Minister it is not on account of the winning a direct election? In to fix the report of investigators Opposition but due to the which other democracy does a looking into a massive scam? pusillanimity of the Prime Prime Minister hold himself Minister. We could either accept unaccountable for the sins of these facts or blame the crisis in omission and commission It is laughable that Syria for our woes. committed in his watch? In Manmohan Singh wants the Meanwhile, the latest which other democracy does a people of India to believe that financial figures came out last Prime Minister preside over scam the Opposition questioning him evening, delayed by several after scam, scandal after scandal and his Ministers on dubious hours so that Manmohan Singh without so much as bothering to deals and stalling Parliament to could make a last ditch effort to even offer to resign? In which expose the crimes of the Congress sell the fiction that not all is lost other democracy does a Prime and his amazing silence have and he shall bravely soldier on Minister shield a Railways led to loss of investor confidence to resuscitate a sputtering Minister hawking top jobs to the at home and abroad. That’s economy. highest bidder? In which other undiluted bunk. Investors have Growth rate is down to 4.4 democracy does a Prime not lost confidence in India — per cent, exports are down on a Minister ask his Law Minister to the country and the people are year-to-year basis and food fix the report of investigators the same as they were before the inflation remains frighteningly looking into a massive scam? In waning of trust happened — high. Worse, jobs are which other democracy does a they have lost confidence in the disappearing across sectors at an Prime Minister willingly mislead UPA Government, the Congress alarming rate. And here we have Parliament on crucial foreign which leads this Government, our Prime Minister blaming policy issues that impinge on and the Prime Minister who everybody except the culprits national security? In which other heads the Government. responsible for this criminal democracy has a Prime Minister Surely Manmohan Singh destruction of the economy. been repeatedly found to be knows better than to expect That’s understandable, though telling less than the truth? In investors to have faith in a not condonable, since he is which other democracy does a Government whose leading primarily to blame for this Prime Minister slyly blame the lights are constantly looking for wanton destruction. No Opposition for the swindle-and- opportunities to feather their punishment would be sufficient loot, tax-and-splurge, steal-and- own nests? Nor should he expect for him. scoot Government he heads? us to believe that investors are (The writer is BJP National Executive Member)

22 Kamal Sandesh September 16-30, 2013 Why is electronic media showing a pro-Congress bias? By Meenakshi Lekhi

ukhiya mukhu so banks and by dividing India. Be industry to justify and legitimise chahiye, khan paan ko it Left-wing terror, jihadist terror its sins. Let’s take the example of M ek Paale poose sakal ang, or any anti-India movement, the the mainstream media (MSM), Tulsi sahit vivek. Kabir’s doha, Congress is found to be creating, especially the television media. when translated, means this: just nurturing and controlling It has a pro-Congress bias. The as the mouth receives food that divisive tendencies. The root pattern is like this: suppress most nurtures all parts of the body, cause of all problems such as cases of Congress-run corruption the leader must be driven by casteism, communalism, law while highlighting individual similar wisdom. The Congress- and order or social unrest lies in and nationally irrelevant issues. led UPA is possibly unaware of illiteracy, unemployment and Remember how embarrassingly this, as is obvious from the poverty. Survival current political and socio- insecurities and The consequences of over several lakh economic crisis it has got India religious into. fundamentalism crores of loot in the last nine years The consequences of over are being used through the 2G, coal and other scams are several lakh crores of loot in the as weapons of now being felt across the nation. India has last nine years through the 2G, political been assaulted like never before. While coal and other scams are now mobilisation many believe that this government is weak being felt across the nation. India and mayhem. has been assaulted like never A closer look and paralysed, the back story suggests before. While many believe that at the UPA’s the contrary. The present Congress this government is weak and support government seems to be a rogue regime paralysed, the back story structure reveals run with an iron fist on the lines of suggests the contrary. The how India’s several authoritarian or autocratic regimes present Congress government institutions are seems to be a rogue regime run being subverted. around the world. Its actions speak louder with an iron fist on the lines of Parties than words. several authoritarian or supporting the autocratic regimes around the UPA, such as the world. Its actions speak louder SP, BSP, DMK and many others, silent the MSM was on the cash- than words. are being kept in line by the for-votes scam that allowed The actions of this regime Congress party through the use UPA-1 to continue in office? have ensured massive of state power in the form of CBI, Cameras were also focused on unemployment, encouraged Enforcement Directorate, NIA, the antics of some Hindu Sena imports that destroy local etc. Deceit and criminal activists near a Karnataka bar in production capacities, and, most intimidation have become January 2009. Similarly, when importantly, have facilitated the legitimate tools of governance. the Indian economy is in a criminal loot of national The Congress party’s 57 shambles, the nation is reeling resources. Biased journalism? years of rule have created under corruption, inflation has Getty images on the political artificial pressure groups to raised the cost of necessities, and front, this regime continues to deceive the masses. It has there is huge unemployment and engineer a separatist mindset, by planted its supporters in the loss of job opportunities, the fortifying ethnic groups as vote executive, the media, and mainstream media finds Asaram

Kamal Sandesh September 16-30, 2013 23 Bapu to be the main news point. and again, there is an attempt to custodian of the right to While the role of the state make the Indian public forget the information or ignore its duty, government is not discussed, gigantic scams involving public especially when the nation is there are regular repetitions of funds while playing IPL (private going through a crisis? Even as this episode. money) sagas, turning I am writing this piece, important There are no updates on encounters into fake ones, and information on the indictment of gigantic scandals such as mocking leaders from the Sheila Dikshit by the Delhi Satyam, NREGA, Augusta opposition while protecting the Lokayukta, and court orders for Westland, and sale of Railway misdeeds and criminality of the the registration of FIRs against Board jobs. FIRs against Sheila Congress regime! her and Jagdish Tytler is in the Dikshit, Jagdish Tytler and CBI The time has come to ask air. But I wonder whether it will cases against Andhra Pradesh honest questions from the Indian make it to prime-time ministers are not even reported, media. Will the fourth pillar discussion. forget taking them up for prime- display integrity and act as the (The writer is BJP National time discussion. Similarly, ethnic Spokesperson) riots in Assam, UP and nearly 5,000 cases of major and minor Prime Minister is a failed riots post-2004 are conveniently forgotten. economist : Murli Manohar Joshi The MSM has never questioned the communal Continuing its tirade against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh credentials of the Congress party outside Parliament following his aggressive stance in Rajya Sabha, which has a history of the Bharatiya (BJP) on 02 September termed him as a overseeing riots in the country “failed economist” and attributed current economic woes to the even while being in alliance with flagship schemes of UPA Government. communal parties such as MIM, While holding the Prime Minister responsible for “unabated TNMMK and the Muslim slide of rupee”, former BJP National President Dr. Murli Manohar League. India’s MSM has Joshi also termed Finance Minister P Chidambaram and Planning maintained complete silence Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia as involving Congress leaders and “failures”. “As far as economy is concerned, Manmohan, Montek their family members in and Chidambaram have failed. In my view, they are not economists corruption cases under the but rather bad or useless economists... UPA has lost the mandate disguise of editorial freedom of to rule the country,” Dr. Joshi told reporters at the party office in choice. Indore, Madhya Pradesh. The ethics of journalism are Dr. Joshi alleged that downward spiral of economy started the completely forgotten while day Chidambaram took charge as Finance minister of the country. dealing with anyone other than On Chidambaram’s comments in Lok Sabha on August 27, which the Congress. The IPL saga too were largely interpreted as insinuating President Pranab Mukherjee was part of the same unwitting for being responsible for current economic woes as former finance efforts at cover-up. At a time minister, Dr. Joshi said, “It is for the first time in the country’s when the Central government history that any finance minister has blamed his predecessor for was at the receiving end of the economic mess”. stick and being pulled up and He said alleged that populist schemes like MNREGA and Food censured by the Supreme Court Security Bill are proving to be a drag on the country’s finances and for its role in the CBI are pushing up inflation. “The government is going to pump in investigations into Coalgate and crores of rupees under the Food Security legislation. Such allotments the mama-bhanja sale of are not only unproductive but counterproductive as well as they Railway Board jobs, the media push up inflation,” he said. During a debate in Rajya Sabha, the was focused on N Srinivasan’s prime minister attacked the opposition for hampering growth and resignation drama at BCCI. Time hurting investor sentiment by repeatedly disrupting Parliament.

24 Kamal Sandesh September 16-30, 2013 Depreciation of rupee Shifting blame will not help Mr. Prime Minister By Dr. Shiv Shakti Bakshi hile the entire nation of crude oil, import of coal and factors how can his government watched the declining exports. Had it been control it? In fact the clarification Wdownslide of Indian so was his government able to of the Prime Minister has created rupee against US Dollar with take any corrective measures and further confusion which is disbelief and unease and the if so, then he has failed to symptomatic of the confused market panicked Prime Minister enumerate those steps. He also status in the government which Dr. Manmohan Singh in his blames the foreign exchange has led to policy paralysis at all statement in parliament thinks markets which according to him levels. The Prime Minister is not it is good for the economy. He ‘have a notorious history of clear whether the depreciation considers ‘this depreciation was overshooting’. He says that it is of rupee is good or bad for Indian merely a needed adjustment’. In economy. He has no policy his statement he said, In fact the clarification whether his government intends “Madam Speaker, coming to stabilize the Indian rupee or back to the effects of the Rupee of the Prime Minister allow its further depreciation. depreciation, we must realise has created further If we look at the track record that part of this depreciation was confusion which is of Congress led UPA merely a needed adjustment. government, it always believes Inflation in India has been much symptomatic of the in fatalism. In his statement Dr. higher than in advanced confused status in the Manmohan Singh expects the economies. Therefore, it is natural economy to ‘kick in’ due to good that there has to be a correction government which has monsoon. If it fails then the in the exchange rate to account led to policy paralysis blame can be easily shifted to for this difference. To some at all levels. floods and related natural extent, depreciation can be good calamities including heavy rain. for the economy as this will help Prime Minster Dr. Manmohan happening with other currencies to increase our export Singh is in the habit of shifting in India Rupee has also been hit competitiveness and discourage blame for non-performance of his so his government has no role in imports.” government and sheds tears as a this phenomenon. In a way he In fact his entire statement is helpless person who has been says that it is beyond his control a bundle of contradictions. He wronged by the turn of events. In and since he is not responsible first shifts the blame for falling fact his government chooses to for it so he cannot do anything Rupee to ‘unexpected’ external ignore the wrong policies of the about it. factors to the extent that he government which has created At the same time he also says counts among them tension and inflation to unprecedented scale that ‘The RBI and Government therefore Syria! It is a bizarre causing untold miseries to the have taken several steps to explanation as to how tension common man and unleashing an stabilize the rupee’. Now, if the over Syria has not affected US era of corruption which has depreciation of Indian rupee is economy which in turn has robbed the Indian people of good for the economy as the resulted in strengthening of untold wealth. Prime Minister tries to argue Dollar but weakened Indian Rupee weakening why RBI and Government are Rupee against it. He then counts against Dollar taking steps to stabilize Indian huge import of gold, rising price The rupee has witnessed rupee. And if it is due to external

Kamal Sandesh September 16-30, 2013 25 sharp depreciation since the last buying programme has put have to curtail its week of May and it has touched enormous pressure on the expenditure owing to costly Rs. 68.75 in the last week of rupee”. loans. It may result in job August with many fearing that The depreciation of rupee cuts leading to it may well cross Rs. 70 mark may be explained away as a unemployment condition in very soon. Indian rupee which global economic phenomenon the country. was equal to one dollar in 1947 beyond the control of the Contrary to Dr. Manmohan has come to such a stage that government by Dr. Manmohan Singh’s explanation, the doubts about its stability has Singh but the consequeces consequences of depreciation become an issue of national would be very harsh for the would be very harsh for the concern. The time when Dr. people of India. It may have a people and more particularly the Manmohan Singh became domino effect on the economy poorer sections of the society. Finance Minister in the which may be hit hard by sharp NDA’s gains wasted Narsimha Rao government one depreciation of rupee and the away by UPA Dollar was equal to Rs. 24. The poor people of the country will The rule of Congress led time when he became Prime have to pay in following manner: UPA will not only be Minister one dollar was equal to  Import will become costlier remembered for having wasted Rs. 44. And now in the last year  We import 50-55% of the the economic gains made by of his second term one dollar is total fertilizer required for NDA but also for leading the equal to Rs 68. The investors the country. Prices of nation into a situation of crisis have lost confidence, market is fertilizers will rise further and uncertainty. The gains have in panic, sensex is crashing yet and farmers will be hit very not only been nullified but Dr. Manmohan Singh maintains hard. negative trends have been set in that it may in some way or the  Medicine and many motion. The atmosphere of other benefit the economy. products used in it are vibrancy has been lost and terms As rupee depreciates, imported, so common like ‘policy paralysis’ and India’s economic confidence is people are in for big trouble ‘economic downslide’ are in also declining sharply. It reflects ahead. vogue. The ‘external factors’ worsening health of Indian  Around 75% oil and oil which is quoted time and again economy which appears very products are imported, price by Dr. Manmohan Singh was alarming. The exchange rate rise of diesel and petrol will very high during NDA rule between currencies simply create high inflationary when economic sanctions were operates on the principle of condition in the country. imposed on the country in the demand and supply. The dollar  Banking sector will also get wake of Pokhran II. But the is now clearly in short supply affected due to inflationary fundamentals of the economy owing to various factors which condition thus created were managed in such manner may be attributed to short sighted leading to costly loans that India and its market could government policies. Mick which may further affect not be ignored for too long and Gordon, CEO of Ipsos in India home loans and thereby sanctions were lifted. When says, “Indian economy is in construction sector. NDA was elected in 1998, distress with rupee depreciating Costly loans may affect inflation was around 13.2%. In sharply against dollar. Strong almost all sectors creating 1999, it came down to 4.7% and demand of US currency from crisis in almost every sphere in 2003 remained at 3.8%. Even importers and banks, of economic activities. when hit by international continuous capital outflows,  Foreign investors may shy sanction, Kargil war and a severe widening current account deficit away from investing as the drought, the NDA did not allow and dollar’s strength against return would be low. It may the situation go out of hand. other currencies overseas amid also trigger flight of foreign Importantly, inflation remained expectation that the Federal capital from the country. below 4%. The price of dollar Reserve will soon taper its bond-  The corporate sector will when NDA came to power was

26 Kamal Sandesh September 16-30, 2013 at around Rs. 38 and when it left necessary commodities within also shifted the blame to it was between Rs. 42-44. NDA the scope of speculative market opposition. Can he give credit to represented an era of fiscal and other steps taken in the opposition for any of his discipline when the prices were name of reform have not yielded government’s achievements? It is stable and Fiscal Deficit was the promised results. The claim another matter that UPA brought down to 3%. of UPA that all these will lead to government has no achievement Congress led UPA on the economic recovery now stands to count, it has failed on all fronts other hand has led the nation on falsified. It appears difficult to but it is also true that had there the verge of an impending crisis. support Dr. Manmohan Singh’s been any achievement he would It has brought the nation to the call for harder reforms as ‘the not have shared the credit with same situation from where NDA easy reforms of the past have opposition. During its tenure the had pulled out the economy and been done’. He further says, “We UPA has never tried to take led it to vibrancy. The nation had have the most difficult reforms opposition into confidence or to to face high inflationary build consensus on any condition wherein food inflation While the Prime Minister is contentious issue. It has always touched the figure of 18.5% and in the habit of shifting worked with an anti-democratic people had to reel under blames to external factors, mindset trying to bulldoze the unbearable economic pressure. this time he has also shifted opposition. On the issue of The UPA Government data on corruption, it stands exposed. Its wholesale price index (WPI) the blame to opposition. Can ministers were sent behind bars shows that from April 2004, a he give credit to opposition and the highest court of the land month before UPA took charge for any of his government’s passes strictures against its acts to April 2012there has been a achievements? It is another of omissions and commissions. 63% increase in the price of all matter that UPA government So there is no way the Prime commodities. However, on food Minister can defend his products, the index has risen has no achievement to government except shifting from 98 to 206.4.In the last nearly count, it has failed on all blames to ‘external factors’ and 10 years under UPA the fiscal fronts but it is also true that opposition. deficit is reaching nearly 7%. The had there been any The nation is passing situation has come to such a pass achievement he would not through a phase of crisis. The that Commerce and Industry policy makers need to assess the Minister Anand Sharma has have shared the credit with impact of ‘reforms’ and devise suggested mortgaging of 500 opposition. means to get right kind of policy tonnes of gold from its reserve to framework for our nation. The rescue the economy from the to do such as reduction of international rating agencies are impending crisis. subsidies, insurance and downgrading our economy, there Conclusion pension sector reforms, is no confidence building The economic eliminating bureaucratic red tape measures except tokenism and mismanagement and short and implementing Goods and blame game, the poor are hit very sighted economic policies have Services Tax”. Although Dr. hard but there is no attempt to led to worsening of economic Manmohan Singh knows that provide relief to them. The situation under Congress led his earlier reforms made on the depreciation of rupee is certain UPA rule. While the government same plea of recovering the to lead the nation to another is in the grip of ‘policy paralysis’ economy has backfired, he is crisis and steps are required to it has not shied away from taking making a new case for more such make economy ready to face anti-people measures which has reforms at the cost of common tough challenges ahead. But can increased general misery and men’s interests. Congress led UPA do it with its unemployment. The policy of While the Prime Minister is short sighted policies and deregulation, de-control, in the habit of shifting blames to misplaced vision? That is the subsidy cut, placing even external factors, this time he has moot question.

Kamal Sandesh September 16-30, 2013 27 BJP Minority Morcha Executive meeting held Huge hike in petrol & diesel prices Congress adopts British policy is anti-people : Venkaiah Naidu Former BJP National President and of divide & rule : Rajnath Rajya Sabha MP Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu he on September 1st it would raised the issue of huge hike in petrol prices soon come out with a vision document on minority in Monsoon session of Parliament. He said empowerment to elaborate its stand on their education, the decision of the Government, when T Parliament is in Session, without taking security and prosperity as also their participation in governance. Parliament into confidence and making such “Whether Congress adopted any other policy of the a huge hike in petrol prices and giving a British or not, they at least adopted their divide and rule dose of 50 paise every month per litre of policy...Congress and some other political parties have tried diesel, is totally anti-people. He added, “It to sow the seeds of division in the country,” Rajnath Singh is breaking the backbone of the common said. He admitted that members of the minority community man. The farmers will be the worst hit working for BJP find it difficult to propagate the party’s because it will have a cascading effect”. policies among people due to the perception that it was Taking dig at UPA, he said, “Now the against Minister is coming up with a wonderful taking idea of closing petrol pumps at night. minorities Tomorrow, he may say life should come to along. a halt at night. What is happening to this “This Government? I am unable to understand it. perception I want the Government to take Parliament is far into confidence before taking any such away decision.” from the Art and Culture Cell national reality. We do executive meeting held not indulge in such politics,” he said. Addressing BJP Minority Morcha National Executive meeting in New Delhi, National Vice President said the document will aim at “empowerment and not appeasement.” “Our particular focus is on socio-economic and political empowerment. If we come to power at the Centre, we will On August 30 first National bring out an action taken report detailing the promises made executive meeting of BJP Art and Culture to minorities of the country,” he said. Cell was held in New Delhi at BJP He dubbed the Congress as a “traditional and Central office. All BJP workers who are professional political exploiter” of Muslims and minorities. associated with art and culture along Pointing out that the proportion of Muslims in Central with conveners of 15 states attended the government jobs came down by 62 per cent during the last meeting. The meeting was addressed by decade; Mr. Naqvi said it went up in BJP-ruled states like BJP National President Shri Rajnath Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Chhattisgarh by 37, 39 and 24 Singh, Lok Sabha Member Dr. Murli per cent respectively during the same period. Manohar Joshi, General Secretary “Congress only eulogises the Nehru-Gandhi family while (Organization) Shri Ram Lal, National the names of thousands of others have been deliberately General Secretary Shri J.P Nadda, Cells erased from the annals of history,” he added. The meeting & Morchas National Co-Ordinator Shri was also attended by the BJP National Spokesperson Shri Mahindra Pandey and other office Shahnawaz Hussain and other senior leaders. bearers of the Party.

28 Kamal Sandesh September 16-30, 2013 State Reports From Our Correspondents

MADHYA PRADESH CHHATTISGARH UPA Govt. has damaged country’s Bastar Maharaja’s entry in BJP will image : Shivraj Singh Chouhan strengthen the party in Bastar Slamming Prime region : Raman Singh Minister Manmohan Singh On 30 August for the poor state of Bastar Maharaja Shri economy and the slide in Kamalchand Bhanjdeo the Indian rupee, Madhya joined BJP at a function Pradesh Chief Minister held at State party Shri Shivraj Singh headquarters in Raipur. Chouhan said he has Noteworthy, the damaged the country’s massive tribal image. “Prime Minister population of Bastar Manmohan Singh, aap desh region which has 12 Assembly seats, have a deep ki izzat ko dhool me milane ka kaam kar rahe hain,” generations-old affection with Bastar royal family (PM Manmohan Singh, you are damaging India’s and in several seats, the call of Shri Kamalchand reputation),” Shri Chouhan said at a convention Bhanjdeo would decide the fate of candidates. Dr. of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) on 01 Raman Singh has termed the entry of Shri Bhanjdeo September. Under the Congress-led United into the party a big boost for the State BJP and said Progressive Alliance (UPA) rule, prices of diesel it will strengthen the party in the Bastar region and petrol had sky-rocketed and inflation was which holds key for Government formation in the spiraling sharply, causing hardship to the people, State. BJP National General Secretary and party he said. in-charge for Chhattisgarh Shri JP Nadda, National “When BJP-led National Development Joint General Secretary (Organization) Shri Saudan Alliance (NDA) was in power, the price of a dollar Singh, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Dr. Raman was around Rs. 44, but now it trades between Rs. Singh, BJP State President Shri Ramsewak Paikra 63 and Rs. 66. Both Manmohan Singh and UPA and almost entire frontline leadership of the party chairperson Sonia Gandhi have mortgaged the in Chhattisgarh received Shri Bhanjdeo and his country’s self-respect,” Shri Chouhan alleged. He dozens of supporters at the State party said even the country’s borders were unsafe under headquarters and hailed his decision to join BJP. the UPA regime, resulting in killing of Indian soldiers by Pakistan. UTTAR PRADESH “Despite these incidents, they are talking about holding talks with Pakistan, which is totally uncalled for. People will never forgive them for SP govt. crossed all limits to appease mortgaging the country’s self esteem,” he said. He minorities : Laxmikant Bajpai also blamed Congress general secretary and former The Uttar Pradesh BJP Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijay Singh organised a statewide for the mess in the education sector because of protest to oppose the which, he alleged, careers of an entire generation Samajwadi Party of teachers got ruined. Government’s decision to He said that during Congress rule which lasted allow 20 per cent quota in for nearly 60 years, only 47,000 km of roads were development schemes. In the constructed, while in the last ten years, 95,000 km State capital Lucknow, the of roads were built in the State. Until 2003, the protest was led by BJP State State produced 2900 MW of power, but now it president Shri Laxmikant generated 10,000 MW and would soon cross the Bajpai who said dividing Hindus and Muslims 14,000 MW mark, he said.

Kamal Sandesh September 16-30, 2013 29 on development plank was the worst decision of DELHI this Government. “How can a welfare State allow reservation benefits in development programmes Delhi BJP releases counter report on religious lines? This is atrocious. This shows card, nails Congress’ lies the mentality of the Government,” Shri Bajpai said while addressing party workers. The Delhi BJP on September 6, 2013 slammed He said the State Government has taken this the Delhi Government and Congress Party for decision keeping in mind coming Lok Sabha providing wrong, factually incorrect and elections. The Government is harsh on Hindus but misleading information in its report card on its 15 is very soft on Muslims, he said. He further said years regime in Delhi. The party also released a Akhilesh Yadav has crossed all limits to appease report that counters the false claims made by Muslims. Congress in its “Report Card.” The BJP workers then marched to the GPO Addressing a joint Press Conference on the and handed over a memorandum to the ACM-I occasion the Delhi BJP President Shri Vijay Goel demanding immediate withdrawal of this and Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Prof. controversial order. In Gorakhpur, party MP Yogi Vijay Kumar Malhotra said, “The Congress’s report Adityanath led the protest. He declared that the card on the performance of the Delhi Government party will not allow its implementation and he in past 15 years is nothing but a pack of lies. Both would raise the issue in Parliament too. the Congress party and its government have “This decision is a cruel joke on people of the resorted to false propaganda. The truth is that the State,” he said. Former State BJP President Shri 15 years of misrule and corruption have converted Surya Pratap Shahi led the protest in Deoria where Delhi into an unaffordable, unsafe, unplanned and he said that it seems the Samajwadi Party does not polluted city.” need votes of upper caste in Lok Sabha elections In a joint statement, the two leaders said, “The and therefore it is concentrating only on Muslims. report card released by the BJP today is actually the real report card unlike the one which was HIMACHAL PRADESH released by Congress government a couple of days ago. It is shocking to see how the Congress Party, Congress failed to protect the interest of Chief Minister and all the ministers are collectively fudging the figures. This is an indication of the apple growers in Himachal : BJP desperate situation of Congress which has nothing BJP blamed the Congress Government in to showcase for its 15 years misrule.” Himachal Pradesh for low apple prices this season “The people of the city are suffering from high and its failure to check apple market collapse and inflation, crime against women, skyrocketing power announced to stage protest across apple growing and water tariffs, poor availability of water, districts of the State. “It is unfortunate that today education, lack of adequate public transport, horticulture industry in the State which is worth absence of government health services and a between Rs 3,000 to Rs 3,500 crore has come under corrupt and inefficient PDS. Corruption and cover- grave danger. Congress has failed to protect the ups have been the hallmarks of the Congress interest of apple growers and is to be blamed for government in Delhi for past 15 years. The Chief the plight of the apple industry,” said former Minister and her ministers have been indicted in horticulture minister Shri Narender Bragta. several cases by Lokayukta, CAG and several other He said despite record apple production in agencies.” Elaborating about the counter report card the year 2010, growers were able to get good prices released today, the statement said, “This is in fact for their produce during the BJP rule. just tip of the ice berg. The misdeeds and blatant lies Targeting the Congress, he said that govt has of the Congress government are too many to be failed to protect the interest of people. He further incorporated in one single document. However, it said BJP will commence a massive protest against does provide a glimpse of the way Congress is trying the attitude of the Congress government from to take common people for ride. This is also an September first week. indication that the Delhi government has nothing to show as an achievement in its report card.”

30 Kamal Sandesh September 16-30, 2013