1 2 CONTENTS

Well Done Modi

Dr. Ashwani Mahajan

1 Cover Page 2. Cover Inside Page Phalgun-Chaitra March 2020 View: Stop whining, Mr President EDITOR ...... Sanjaya Baru

ASSOCIATE-EDITOR More the spat more Indo-US trade grows ...... Shivaji Sarkar PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY: Ishwardas Mahajan on behalf of Swadeshi Highways of Growth Jagaran Samiti, 'Dharmakshetra', Sector-8, ...... Anilesh S. Mahajan R.K. Puram, New Delhi-22, Steps to Double Farmer’s Income COVER & PAGE DESIGNING ...... Dr. Bharat Jhunjhunwala

EDITORIAL OFFICE Rewilding food, rewilding farming 'Dharmakshetra' Sector-8, Babu Genu Marg...... Vandana Shiva R.K. Puram, N. D.-22 E-MAIL : [email protected] WEBSITE : www.swadeshionline.in Who will seed organic India? ...... Indra Shekhar Singh

Gandhi's successor? ...... Swadeshi Samwad

Pesticides Management Bill 2020 is an opportunity to clean up India’s food and farming systems! ...... Kavitha Kuruganti

Pseudo-Caliphate and India ...... Sandhya Jain

The hazards of pesticides ...... Devinder Sharma

Impact of e-Commerce on Government Income ...... Alok Singh

China’s Corona Challenge and Lessons Learnt ...... Abhishek Pratap Singh

Ancient India’s Contributions to the Medical Science ...... Prof. Nandini Sinha Kapur 39 Back Inside Cover 40 Back Cover Letters Quote-Unquote Cascading effect of "30 squats" Innovation by Indian Railway The Indian railway at the Anand Vihar railway Station is offering free railway platform tickets to those who perform 30 squats in 180 seconds. The Let us remember that the initiative reflects many dimensions. fruits of scientific research The first is that an innovation can take birth anywhere, and by anyone. will make the best impact At first instance, the objective of the initiative seems to be matching with the only when they reach our government's goal to promote the FIT India movement. The cascading effect less-privileged institu- of FIT India will be beautiful. It will reduce the burden of budget allocation tions, our youth, our wom- en and our socio-econom- for the Ayushman Bharat scheme which is the biggest health insurance scheme ically weaker segments. ever implemented in the world- covering half a billion population of India. Ram Nath Kovind Moreover, the success of FIT India will empanel the middle class in the President, Bharat scheme sooner rather than later. Many such innovations and initiatives are needed by every organization whether it be the public sector or private sector to promote the FIT India program. The installation of an open gym in colony parks or gym in offices is not an innovation; it's about budget and financials. India's biodiversity is a Innovation in this context is something that aims to motivate to participate in 'unique treasure' for en- tire humankind. the FIT India program or to participate and contribute actively to Swachh Narendra Modi Bharat Mission. It's not about resources- rather it's about behavioral change. Prime Minister, India The increased resource does not assure that a mission will be accomplished. Mission accomplishment needs active participation. More such innovations are needed. Everyone welcome- what are you going to innovate for FIT India or Swachh Bharat- without asking for addi- Everybody loves him tional resources. (Modi) but I will tell you this, he is very tough. You – Kumar Gaurav, Delhi are not just the pride of EDITORIAL OFFICE Gujarat, you are living SWADESHI PATRIKA proof that with hard work, ‘Dharmakshetra’, Sector-8, Rama Krishna Puram, New Delhi-22 Indians can accomplish Tel. : 26184595, E-Mail: [email protected] anything they want. For subscription please send payment by A/c payee Cheque/Demand Draft/Money Donald Trump Order in favour of ‘Swadeshi Patrika’ at New Delhi, or President, USA Deposit the subscription amount in Bank of India A/C No. 602510110002740, It's important to note that IFSC: BKID 0006025 (Ramakrishnapuram) while the US is pressing Annual Subscription: 150/- India to protect the inter- Life Membership : 1500/- ests of its companies, In- Kindly write your full name and address in capital letters. dia's first priority is to pro- If you do not receive any issue of Swadeshi Patrika, kindly e-mail us immediately. tect its public health, em- ployment in small busi- nesses and industries" Swadeshi Jagran Manch 4 EDITORIAL Disrupting the Saving Culture Finance Minister Mrs. Nirmala Sitaraman in her budget proposals 2020-21 has proposed a new optional tax regime, whereby the lower tax rates have been proposed in the new optional regime, with the condition that the deductions and rebates, which were so far available, will cease to be available to the personal income tax payers, opting for new regime, henceforth. The proposed rates of personal income tax would be 5 percent between incomes of 2.5 lakhs to 5 lakhs, 10 percent on incomes between 5 lakhs and 7.5 lakh, 15 percent on incomes between 7.5 lakhs and 10 lakhs, 20 percent on incomes between 10 lakhs and 12.5 lakhs and 25 percent on incomes between 12.5 lakh to 15 lakh and all income above 15 lakhs at 30 percent. The tax so calculated will continue to attract cess as applicable. Prior to this, the only tax regime, which was earlier applicable was such that income between 2.5 lakh and 5 lakh had income tax of 5 percent while income between 5 lakh and 10 lakh had tax rate of 20 percent and 10 lakh and above had income tax rate of 30 percent, along with applicable cess. The rates have been so designed that the tax payers who are generally saving 1.5 lakh annually and availing a standard deduction of rupees 50 thousand and are not availing any other rebate or concession would be paying lower tax than what he/she would have paid even after availing the tax rebate on savings. For instance an income tax payers having an income of rupees 15 lakhs, would be paying a tax of only rupees 3,37,500 under the new regime, while he would be paying rupees 3,45,000 as tax even after availing the tax benefit under 80C and 80D. The government claims, and perhaps rightly, that with this new option 80 percent of the tax payers would opt for new regime. They are seemingly correct because it is beneficial for them to not avail tax benefit under 80C, 80D and standard deduction. This may be painted as a relief to the tax payers offered in the new tax regime. However, the new proposal has implications on the saving culture, overall saving in the economy and also on the growth in the economy. It is well known that people in India believe in culture of saving. Generally people save for securing their future, purchase of real estate and gold and also for the future needs such as marriage and settlement of their offspring. For the past so many decades the government has been encouraging savings in specific formats, such as LIC premium, Public Provident fund (PPF) and some other, by giving tax concessions. For the last few years in addition to these saving the government has also been giving rebate on contribution in National Pension Scheme up to rupees 50 thousand annually. These measures have helped the government to make use of these resources to finance its fiscal deficit, and building infrastructure and capital investment. This action of the government is likely to discourage the savings in the country. Though people may continue to save even after the withdrawal of concessions, however, this act of the government is likely to impact the saving culture in the country. It is notable that the rate of capital formation in the country has been increasing over time and it reached 39.6 percent by the year 2011-12. This capital formation has been largely financed by domestic savings and up to 2007-08 the foreign savings has never crossed 2 percent of the GDP. Recently, foreign saving as a source of capital formation has increased, however, it never exceeded 4 to 5 percent of the GDP. Since 2011-12 we find that rate of capital formation has come down to merely 30.9 percent in 2017-18. The major reason for decline in capital formation seems to be decline in saving of the household sector declining from 23.6 percent of the GDP in 2011-12 to merely 17.2 percent of GDP in 2017-18. We understand that for capital formation plays an important role to lift GDP growth upward. Therefore, declining trend in household saving should be a matter of great worry. Changes in the income tax rates under new optional scheme, which incentivise people to save less in specified securities under section 80C and 80D and also saving under National Pension Scheme is likely to reduce the household saving further. Under such circumstances our capital formation as a percentage of GDP may further go down. Urge towards increasing capital formation, with lesser resources available domestically, may increase our dependence on foreign capital. In the past, though the contribution of foreign capital has been increasing over time, however, if we take the average in the past one decade, average foreign capital as a percentage of GDP has been nearly 2 percent of GDP only. Therefore, one can conclude that foreign capital can play only a limited role in our capital formation. Further, it may be noted that the fiscal deficit is financed by borrowing from financial institutions and funds (insurance companies, provident funds, pension funds etc.), finances of which would be hit by disincentives to saving. As a result the sources of financing fiscal deficit would shrink and government will have to raise funds from other sources including monetising the deficit (by printing more currency notes). 5 COVER STORY Well Done Modi

President Donald Trump has returned af- ter completing his 36-hour visit to India. There was too much hype about Donald Trump’s visit to India for the last almost a month. In today’s world, diplomatic, stra- tegic and economic relations with differ- ent countries have a special significance. In such a situation, the visit of the President of the world’s most powerful country is considered to be an important event. The significance of this visit grew even more as Indian Parliament recently passed an im- portant resolution and abolished Article 370, the root of a major dispute, going on since independence. Pakistan has been mak- ing incessant efforts of encouraging sepa- ratism and terrorism in Kashmir and elsewhere, raising boggy of Kashmir dis- pute. With the abolition of Article 370 and thereby special status to Kashmir, the path of peace has become clear in Kashmir. However, to give rest to all contro- versies, it was necessary to create an atmosphere in favour of stability in Kashmir, at the international level too. By saying that whatever India does for Kashmir, will be good, all controversies have been put on rest by President Donald Trump. Donald Trump also repeatedly cited his friendship with Prime Minister Naren- dra Modi before and during his visit to India. It is understandable that this kind of harmony between the heads of government of the two great nations is a good sign. Trade wars between US, China and India have been going on for a long time. President Trump has a consistent complaint with China that it is de- stroying employment opportunities for Americans by dumping its cheap goods Increasing in the US. So he is determined to take every step to save his country’s employ- ment and economy. At the same time, the United States has grudges with India proximity of too, that India sells all kinds of goods to America without tariff hindrances; America with India however, very high import duties are imposed. For a long time, the US has been is not only a continuously raising import duties on goods coming from China and India. A success of India’s few months ago, the US removed GSP, a provision granting trade concessions to foreign policy, it is India, affecting exports of nearly $ 5.6 billion from India. Just a few days before also a good sign Trump’s visit to India, the US removed India from the category of developing for peace and countries and placed it in the category of developed countries. The effect will be that the trade concessions India receives from US, as a developing country will end. harmony in this The United States also complains that India has banned the import of milk region. products from America. At the same time, US companies have been complain- Dr. Ashwani ing that India has imposed price controls on health devices, including cardiac Mahajan stunts, knee implants etc., due to which their business interests are hurt. On the 6 COVER STORY other hand, India has imposed var- Trump had also announced that under the ‘Belt Road Project’, Chi- ious types of curbs on American India was not agreeing on trade na has been pushing the develop- e-commerce companies for some deal and it would not be possible. ing countries into a debt trap in the time. The US also complains that He said, despite that he would name of infrastructure. Through India’s patent law is contrary to the come to India because he likes this, it is becoming a threat to the interests of their companies. Modi. At the end of Trump’s vis- peace of the region by capturing India has clearly explained to it, though India and the United assets of strategic importance in the US that we cannot accept their States have diplomatically spoken those countries. A strategic part- demands because as far as dairy is about mega trade agreement; it is nership between India and the concerned, the US milk supplies equally clear that India will not com- United States can be considered an come from non-vegetarian cows, promise its interests under any cir- appropriate response to China. which cannot be allowed due to cumstances. At the end of Trumps Strongly rejecting religious and cultural reasons. visit, New York Times headline is: The unfair trade and eco- Moreover, dairy provides liveli- “As Trump Visits India, a Trade hood to nearly 10 crore subsistence Deal Remains Elusive. President nomic demands of the US and not farmers. On the other hand due to Trump and Prime Minister Modi signing trade agreements without the discounting of e-commerce by have plenty in common, but that causing any rift in Indo-US rela- American e-commerce companies, doesn’t include a desire to quickly tions Modi has written a new chap- small shopkeepers in India are fast lower trade barriers between the ter in Indo-US relation, based on losing their employment, so it is two countries” equality and mutual benefit and not necessary to impose curbs on these America should not forget on coercion and arm twisting. In- companies. As far as our intellec- that India is also an important mar- dia has been successful in pushing tual property law including patents ket for it. India’s ever-growing civil the US to favour India’s action on is concerned, it is very important aviation sector has proved to be a Kashmir, making strategic agree- for our public health, and the pro- boon for the United States and in ments with India etc, and not al- tection of farmers; and therefore the next few years India is going lowing them to meddle in our in- it cannot be changed under any cir- to buy 300 Boeing aircraft worth ternal affairs. Narendra Modi gov- cumstances. Not only this, control $ 40 billion from USA. Today ernment’s foreign policy can be over the prices of essential medi- America has become a very impor- considered to be a great success in cal devices is absolutely necessary tant oil exporting country to India. this regard. Trump has also repeat- to provide affordable medical fa- In such a situation, the trade deficit edly said that Prime Minister Modi cilities to the poor in the country. that America is complaining about is a good friend, but an equally Amidst the plethora of griev- is going to end soon. ‘tough negotiator’. ances, the US has always been un- America has to understand America should not forget der the impression that they can get that good relations between India that India is an emerging power of any agreement inked in their favour, and America are absolutely neces- the world, whose strength is also by way of arm twisting and threats sary to create international balance. very important for global strate- of sanctions, they have been prac- That is, why it is becoming clear in gic balance. It should respect the tising in the past. There is no dearth the Indo-US joint press release that sentiments of India while aban- of experts who would legitimise the two countries will work to- doning its petty economic interests. any agreement with US in the name gether in the field of defense. In- America supportive stance to- of diplomacy. However, experi- creasing strategic co-operation be- wards Pakistan has now become a ence during Modi’s regime has been tween India and the United States history, for which too, Modi de- different. This time too, a few days will improve the balance of pow- serves a big credit. In such a situa- before Trump’s visit, it became er in the continent; and China, tion, the increasing proximity of clear that even a limited trade which is constantly increasing its America with India is not only a agreement between India and the strategic presence in the region, will success of India’s foreign policy, it United States would not become also get appropriate response. It is also a good sign for peace and a reality. Before coming to India, is worth noting that for some time, harmony in this region. 7 POLITICS & NATION View: Stop whining, Mr President

'They've been hitting us very hard for many, many years,' complained US Pres- ident Donald Trump, speaking about India at a 'Keep America Great' rally in Colorado last week. 'They give us tariffs, one of the highest in the world is India.' A week before that, the Trump administration declared India a 'developed economy', snuffing out any hope of any early reversal of its decision to terminate trade preferences to a developing India. For Indian millennials, the US President's trade tantrums may sound jarring. But this circus has been in town before. There was once a lady called Carla Hills, a predecessor of United States Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer. Hills threatened India with 'Su- per 301' and 'Special 301', US legislation that imposes trade sanctions in response to what it regards as unfair trade practices. That was Ronald Reagan’s United States. There was a senator called Lloyd Bentsen, who campaigned to become vice-president in the 1988 US elections. He, too, held forth against not just the likes of India, but also Japan and Germany. ‘Foreigners can sell in an open Amer- ican market, but we are not being able to sell them but a pittance. I don’t think those things are fair and I don’t think we need to roll over and play dead,’ said Bentsen, then chairman of the US Senate Finance Committee. The US did not play dead. The Soviet Union did. The US enjoyed a unipolar moment, and created new rules for global trade through the creation of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). India resisted the attempt, but fell in line, cut its tariffs steeply, accepted rules pertaining to intellectual property rights (IPR), and so on. That was supposed to be about free trade being fair. But that was not before the US threatened the likes of Japan with ‘voluntary export restraints’ (VERs) and

For Indian millennials, the US President's trade tantrums may sound jarring. But this circus has been in town before. Sanjaya Baru 8 Politics & Nation

Super and Special 301. The Euro- peans huddled together and creat- ed a single market. China was smarter. It stooped to conquer, and became the manufacturing work- shop of the world. A US that began to lose its competitive edge voted to power a bluff and bluster politician, who has promised to ‘make it great again’. The rhetoric of the late 1980s is back. It’s actually an even older strain in the political polemics of the US. The distinguished trade econo- mist Jagdish Bhagwati called it ‘rec- iprocitarianism’ in his and D Irwin’s na, with whom India has a trade 1987 essay, ‘The Return of the Rec- Indian brain power deficit that is far bigger than the iprocitarians: US Trade Policy To- trade surplus it enjoys with the US. day’, published in The World Econ- is fuelling the US A bigger economy must omy. A consequence, he said, of economy. Someone work to offer a smaller economy the ‘diminished giant syndrome’ af- more favourable terms of trade. flicting the US in the 1980s. That ought to calculate its By that yardstick, China must re- syndrome, too, is back. value. duce its trade deficit with India, Everything President Trump and the US should stop complain- says about tariffs and fair trade There is no need for India to ing about its deficit with India. now, President Reagan did before get too flustered with Trump’s India, for its part, must seek -- and after him did Carla A Hills, trade tantrums. India has been buy- to reduce the trade surplus it en- the USTR of President George ing defence equipment, civilian air- joys with many of its smaller neigh- Bush Sr. But, as Bhagwati points craft and energy (oil and gas) and bours, despite following a policy out, the British conjured up the energy equipment (nuclear) from of asymmetric trade liberalisation ideology of free trade and the US. The trade debate between in their favour. switched to pleading for fair trade US and India has missed the wood Rather than engage the US on when it suited them. for the trees. its terms, India should point to Trump is only echoing what It is not about dairy products, how it is helping ‘Make America the defender of the British empire, cashew nuts, motorcycles or stents. Great Again’. Four million Indians Joseph Chamberlain, had said in the The history of USTR bullying on are working hard -- in schools, col- last days of the Victorian era, ‘We trade has been a history of pocket- leges, offices and laboratories to are losing our foreign markets, be- ing a concession and seeking another, ‘Make America Great Again’. In- cause whenever we begin to do a of shifting focus and talking tough. dian brain power is fuelling the US trade, the door is slammed in our The US now seeks to damn with economy. Someone ought to cal- faces with a whacking tariff... [A]s praise, calling India ‘developed’. culate its value. if that were not enough, these That’s no way to treat a friend. Surely, India would then be same foreigners who shut us out, The criticism at home and seen to be running a huge trade invade our markets and take the overseas of the tariff policy pur- deficit with the US. Stop complain- work out of the hands of our sued by the Narendra Modi gov- ing, Mr Trump. working people and leave us dou- ernment has some merit. But the The writer is distinguished fellow, Institute for Defence bly injured.’ This was, and Bhag- WTO-compliant tariff hikes are Studies & Analysis, United Service Institution of India, wati and Irwin quotes Chamber- not aimed at the US. Indian indus- New Delhi https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/view- lain saying, ‘unfair and one-sided’! try’s major concern remains Chi- stop-whining-mr-president/articleshow/74270975.cms 9 ANALYSIS More the spat more Indo-US trade grows

A President needs massive support home ahead of his reelection. He visits for massive Indian support to boost his economy and his own image. Yes, US Pres- ident Donald Trump visits India for a massive makeover at home. India is being project bigger than it is. Trump shows to his people that a tie with India would increase jobs and the favouring trade deals may open up doors to an El Dorado. That is a good branding for India. The largest economy projects a rising one larger than life. It helps India in its international dealing and march to a $ 5 trillion economy. That, however, is not the aim of Trump. He wants to secure his posi- tion in the domestic politics. Trump visits with the aim to “further strengthen the US-India strategic partner- ship”. It is at a time when the Chinese economy is on a downward trajectory. The Sino-US trade deal, after a virtual trade war, is a non-starter. The US needs a mas- sive economic raise and Trump expects India to give him an advantage. His subtle projection to his countrymen is of a macho that gives less and takes more. His imagery in different Indian cities is expected to create popularity for a vote-catching mission. That is a gain for India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s diplomacy. Trump overall has done quite a lot for his farmers, industry and revenue collection with deals with India since 2018. He has projected India as a developed country and has been slicing out more benefits for the US economy. A sagging US economy hit by trade wars launched by it needs a bit of tonic. Somehow the US domestic industry wanted more concessions from India and Trump has been able to show that he has been able to have it. Indian steel and aluminium that is of high quality and acceptable by the US manufacturers in many sectors was gifted with additional duties. It helps the US gain higher revenues and

Trump looks for gains, India wins brand image. Shivaji Sarkar 10 Analysis a semblance of ruse that he is not puts India in the category of a de- liberal with his friend Modi. The US-India bilateral veloped country. India may not In 2017, India imported like it as it has to struggle through record 7.8 million 40-pound box- trade increased a difficult phase. But the US has es Washington state apple. How- sevenfold since 2001 the power to ignore such concerns. ever, India had imported far few- in 2018 to $142 It is restructuring trade relations er boxes of the 2018 crop. The with key economic partners. Washington state had shipped billion. It remains a Trump has renegotiated NAFTA about 2.6 million boxes to India. massive trade that has with Canada and Mexico. He has India has quietly raised duties. increased 14 times compelled China to cut massive Similar is with US almonds. trade deficit with the US. China has Trump administration announced since 1995. had trouble negotiating $ 200 bil- mid 2019 removal of India from lion worth trade with the US. eligibility for key trade privileges a segment of Indian low cost ex- Before his visit to India, he has under the US generalized system ports, worth around $ 5.6 billion. developed relations with Taliban, of preference (GSP). It imposes So Trump comes seeking US officials are asking India to cost on India for benefit to the US more sops. He could demand do- change tacks with Pakistan and the growers and traders. India be- ing away with duty on US infor- sanctions on Iran are a cost on In- haved the same way and imposed mation and communication tech- dia’s petroleum imports. He wants tariffs on 28 US products, includ- nology goods, market access to to have more. ing US shelled almonds in June dairy products, duty cuts on Har- India has recently walked 2019 by 20 percent and non- ley Davidson mobikes, apples and away from RCEP. European shelled almonds by 17 percent. almonds. It is critical for his indus- Union is remains a reluctant negoti- The new duties in some cases try and farmer friends. He has to ator. Australia and New Zealand are are as high as 70 percent to offset make up for the losses he has with in a wait and watch mode. India US tax rises on steel and alumini- China. Who else could he depend tried to have an advantage of the um. The US-India bilateral trade than a friend like India? US-China trade war. It talked but increased sevenfold since 2001 in Trade is a long contentious gains are limited. Many companies 2018 to $ 142 billion, as per US issue between the two countries. are moving out China but very few figures. In 1995, total two-way Since 1980s, the US has been de- are keen to come to India. trade was $ 11 billion. It remains a manding greater market access and India has to have re-look at massive trade that has increased 14 intellectual property protection. trade ties. Trump has come with times since 1995. The access to Pepsico and Coca offers. The US strategic presence is India’s trade with China, not Cola to Indian market was its re- needed in the subcontinent. Major to the liking of the US, also has sult by the Indira Gandhi and Ra- proposed trade deals in defence increased from a few hundred jiv Gandhi governments much to likely worth $ 10 billion and more million dollars in 1995 to nearly $ a political hullabaloo in India. would be good for both the coun- 90 billion in 2019. The perception Interestingly, with each such tries despite some rise in Indian pro- that Trump is projecting India per spat trade has increased between tectionism like the RCEP, which se is not wrong. India is growing the US and India. even the opposition Congress hailed. but still definitely does not match Trump has significantly in- While India needs to review the per capita income of a devel- creased that pressure. According its trade policy, the friendly arms oped country. So the US consid- to US Trade Representative extended by Trump are likely to ering India as an equal developed (USTR), India is a member of G- be a new beginning at the growing country may suit its domestic nar- 20 with more than 0.5 percent of relations. Spats in international trade rative not the reality. the world’s trade share. The World continue and so do the intensity in Imposing costs on Indian ex- Bank classifies countries above this business. Despite conceding gains ports may be real home politics threshold as developed and as for Trump, India would curve out but is away from reality. It has hit “high income” economies. This a niche for itself. 11 DISCUSSION Highways of Growth

he Union Budget has sought to give a major impetus to infrastructure on the Tback of “accelerated development of highways”, with the road transport & highways ministry being allocated Rs 91,823.2 crore, as against Rs 83,016 crore in the previous fiscal. The allocation is the biggest among all infrastructure verticals. Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in her budget speech that the 1,250 km Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, a critical component of the Bharatmala Pariyo- jana, will be completed by the end of 2023. She announced five other cross- country expressways as well. Most experts, though, believe this will be difficult to achieve without private investment, which could partly be determined by the pace of ongoing projects. Several projects in the Bharatmala Pariyojana are wit- nessing delays owing to cost overruns of up to 55 per cent. In railways, private investors have been offered 150 routes to ply trains un- der the PPP (public-private partnership) model. While railways will handle main- tenance, operations and safety, the private operators can take rakes on lease and provide attractive on-board services. Humsafar Express (Indore-Varanasi) will be the third rail service to go private. Over a dozen companies, including MNCs Alstom Transport, Bombardier, Siemens AG and Macquarie, have shown inter- est, but railways minister Piyush Goyal is treading cautiously, given the potential opposition from labour and trade unions. The railways will have a capital outlay of Rs 2,33,008 crore, of which Rs 72,216 crore will be budgetary support. The biggest expenditure will be the elec- trification of 27,000 km of tracks. The budgetary allocation for water resources has been increased from Rs 7,518 crore to Rs 8,960 crore. Renewable energy, especially solar, is another sec-

A 15,500 km highway-building plan forms the centrepiece of the infra push in the budget, but its success hinges on private investment. Anilesh S. Mahajan 12 Discussion tor where the government wants target to increase this to 30 per cent projects. “The contracts are too more private investment. India in the next five years. skewed towards the project pro- added 7,592 MW of renewable As road transport minister ponents (NHAI),” feels Jagan- energy in April-December 2019; Nitin Gadkari looks to scale up narayan Padmanabhan, director, another 34,160 MW is in the pipe- highway construction, he will need transport and logistics, Crisil Infra- line. The budget proposes build- to take along opposition-ruled structure Advisory. Adds Chhib- ing solar power capacity alongside states to get quicker land and envi- ber: “Growth cannot be acceler- railway tracks as well. ronmental clearances. The finance ated through budget allocations. Infrastructure has been allo- ministry expects him to develop Private capital needs to flow in.” cated Rs 9,71,694 crore, of which 2,500 km of access control high- On January 12, Gadkari had Rs 4,32,424 crore is in the form ways, 9,000 km of economic cor- met RBI governor Shaktikanta Das of budgetary support. “This is in- ridors, 2,000 km of coastal and to seek policy tweaks to allow sufficient,” says Vijay Chhibber, land port roads and 2,000 km of banks to fund infrastructure former secretary, road transport & strategic highways. projects for 30 years, instead of the highways. The National Infrastruc- In 2015, Gadkari’s ministry current 20. In the budget, Sithara- ture Pipeline (NIP) outlines projects mooted the hybrid annuity model, man stayed away from seed fund- worth Rs 102 lakh crore over the wherein projects were guaranteed ing of development finance insti- next five years. According to the 40 per cent payments from the tutions (DFIs), but gave sovereign Economic Survey, highways will National Highways Authority of wealth funds full tax exemption on need investments to the tune of Rs India on annuity basis on comple- interest, dividend and capital gains 19.63 lakh crore by 2024-25. NIP tion of milestones. The concession- income from investments in infra- projects will be Centre- and state- aires were expected to arrange the structure. It remains to be seen if funded (39 per cent each). The re- remaining funds through credit. such funds can provide cheaper maining 22 per cent is expected But the non-performing assets-lad- and long-term credit for infrastruc- from private investment, with a en banks refused to back the ture projects. SWADESHI PATRIKA Voice of Real Economy Dedicated to Swadeshi Movement in all its dimensions; Battles threats to the economic sovereignty of the nation; and Gives Voice to all sections of Economy SUBSCRIBE AND/OR RENEW YOUR SUBSCRIPTION FILL THE FORM AND SEND IT TO US : Medium : ...... (Hindi / English) Name ...... Address...... Contact No...... City ...... Pin ...... YEARLY Rs. 150/- LIFE Rs. 1500/- Website: www.swadeshionline.in Email: [email protected] For subscription please send payment by A/c payee Cheque/Demand Draft/Money Order in favour of ‘Swadeshi Patrika’ at New Delhi, , or Deposit the subscription amount in Bank of India A/C No. 602510110002740, IFSC: BKID 0006025 (Ramakrishnapuram) 13 FARMING Steps to Double Farmer’s Income

The Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy has assessed that the incomes of our farmers have increased by 7 percent per year between 2013 and 2019. In this backdrop we have to assess the steps required to attain the Government’s com- mitment to double the income of the farmers by 2023. It will be necessary for the farmer’s income to increase by about 30 percent per year to attain this target. The strategy outlined by the Finance Minister in the Budget is to help the farmers increase the quantity of production. For example, use of balanced fertilizers and solar pump sets has been encouraged. This step appears to be in the right direc- tion. More production normally means higher sale value and more income. How- ever, the connection between increased quantity of production and increased income is not only tenuous—it can even be negative because it is intermediated by the price of the produce. The farmers of Palanpur had dumped their large harvest of potatoes on the roads because they could not get a remunerative price for their produce. Farmers of Rajasthan faced a similar fate when their crops of guar gum could not be sold at remunerative prices. Often the farmers could not even retrieve their cost of harvesting the crops let alone getting paid for the seeds, sowing, irrigation and fertilizers. The decline in prices of agricultural goods is taking place continuously since the last few decades. New technologies have led to an increase in production. These include bore wells, tissue culture and chemical fertilizers. Now geo-map- ping is making it possible for the farmers to know the exact area in their fields that are deficient in particular fertilizers. Drones are being used to track disease. Such technologies are being developed every day. Accordingly the supply of ag- ricultural goods is increasing. This, however, is not accompanied with a parallel

Use of Balanced fertilizers and solar pump sets would help farmers increase production and quality of production leading to subsequent increase in this income. Dr. Bharat Jhunjhunwala 14 Farming increase in the demand in the mar- is about 8 percent of our total ag- faced by commercial solar power ket because the global population ricultural produce of Rs 30,000 producers. Anecdotal information is not increasing in the same pro- crores. The arable land in Nether- suggests that large solar farms are portion. The ever-increasing sup- land is 10 lakh hectare against 1600 not finding buyers for their elec- ply coupled with relatively stagnant hectare in India or 0.6 percent. In tricity at a price as low as Rs 2.50 demand is leading to a long term other words, Netherlands is pro- per unit. The cost of production decline in the prices of agricultural ducing about 12 times the value of a small solar power farms lo- commodities. The development of per hectare than us—that too with cated in a far flung areas will be biofuels is providing some relief. no diversity in climate. We can cer- much more. The problems of grid Farmers can produce sugar cane tainly do much better. Similarly, a connectivity will also be very diffi- for the production of diesel. How- small country like Tunisia earns cult. The rural feeders for the sup- ever, the price of diesel too has huge amounts from the exports of ply of electricity are often down. been declining in the last few years. olives and France from the export How will the solar power be trans- The increase in the quantity of ag- of grape wines. ported during such times? Then ricultural production achieved The development of district- there are issues of metering and from the valiant efforts of the Fi- wise specific agricultural crops will synchronization of the electric sup- nance Minister need not lead to an require deep research. Our Uni- ply. It may yet be possible to en- increase in incomes of the farmer. versities and laboratories of Indi- able farmers to establish solar On the contrary, it can accentuate an Council of Agricultural Re- farms. Some states already have farmers’ distress of not being able search (ICAR) are way behind. policies that enable house owners to recover his cost of production. Their situation is highlighted by the to supply extra rooftop solar pow- A better strategy would be to experience of a farmer. He was er supply to the grid. But this has improve the quality of the agricul- advised by a Professor of Depart- not taken off as of now. Roof top tural produce. The Finance Minis- ment of Horticulture of a famed systems face lesser problems of ter has taken a small but laudable University to plant trees of Kino connectivity because urban power step in this direction. She has said fruit. The poor man planted an supply is more regular; shorter lines that a particular crop will be iden- acre of Kino. Five years later the are required to connect with the tified for each district of the coun- fruit were of very small size. grid and technical assistance is eas- try and a horticultural mission The farmer went and com- ily accessible in the cities. It will take around that crop will be put in plained to the Professor of Horti- a huge effort to persuade the bu- place. This step is in the right di- culture. The Professor replied, reaucracies of the State Electricity rection and must be implemented “Yes, indeed. My trees also gave Boards to enable this effort. That with all seriousness. small fruit.” That admission did not said, it is a possibility that holds India has an unparalleled di- recover the loss incurred by the potential. versity of climate. We have cold farmer. There is a need, therefore, The promise in the Budget to areas in the Himalayas and other to set up an IIT- or IIM-type hor- double the incomes of the farm- mountain ranges during the sum- ticulture institute in each district or ers by 2023 is almost certainly go- mer; and warm areas in Kerala and a cluster of districts that can actu- ing to fail. This target can only be Tamil Nadu during the winters. ally provide the correct guidance. achieved if we first identify the Thus, we can grow winter horti- This will then have to be support- crops especially suited to a district, cultural crops like roses in our ed with warehousing, cold chain then set the standards for quality mountains during the summer and and export infrastructures. This will control, make the infrastructure for in the south during the winter and require effort but can be done. exports etc. Concrete steps are supply to the global market The second step to increase needed in this direction. Mere in- throughout the year without an in- the incomes of the farmers pro- crease in production of regular terruption. A small country like posed in the Budget is to enable agricultural crops—as planned in Netherland supplies Tulip flowers them to establish solar power the Budget—will only add to the to the entire world and earns about plants on their barren fields. The problem. 2,500 crore rupees every year. This challenges here are same as those Formerly Professor of Economics at IIM Bengaluru 15 FOCUS Rewilding food, rewilding farming

George Monbiot’s recent column, “Lab-grown food will soon destroy farming – and save the planet”, strikes me as a dystopian vision of the future, with no people working the land and humans eating ‘fake’ food produced in giant indus- trial factories from microbes. Monbiot concludes in his article: “Farmfree food will allow us to hand back vast areas of land and sea to nature, permitting rewilding and carbon drawdown on a massive scale. Farmfree food offers hope where hope was missing. We will soon be able to feed the world without devouring it.” Einstein’s famous quote immediately comes to mind – he warned: “We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them”. Ecological being The notion that high-tech “farm free” lab food will save the planet is simply a continuation of the same mechanistic mindset which has brought us to where we are today – the idea that we are separate from and outside of nature. This paradigm evolved with the fossil fuel age of industrial production; it is the basis of industrial agriculture which has destroyed the planet, farmers livelihoods and our health. Unfortunately, it is also the basis of the author’s vision of the future of food and farming – the total industrialisation of our food and of our lives, which is, as the aphorism ‘we are what we eat’ tells us, the ultimate industrialisation of hu- mans – the final step in ending our earth-centeredness and ecological being. Turning “water into food” is an echo from the times of the second world war, when it was claimed that fossil-fuel-based chemical fertilisers would pro- duce “Bread from Air”. Instead we have dead zones in the ocean, greenhouse

Dr Vandana Shiva argues that agroecology holds the key to solving the climate and ecological crisis in a just and equitable way. 16 Focus gases – including nitrous oxide of every country in the world. Agro-business interests and which is 300 times more damag- This passionate promotion of monopolies along with Govern- ing to the environment than CO2 fake food also threatens our con- ment apathy have prevented agro- – and desertified soils and land. nection with the earth and the joy ecological farming from becom- We are part of nature, not and satisfaction of eating food ing the mainstream sustainable sys- separate from and outside of na- produced with care and intelligence tem for producing food. ture. Food is what connects us to by fellow beings. At Navdanya we grow the earth, its diverse beings, includ- It threatens our wellbeing, healthy food by conserving biodi- ing the forests around us — our health and the health of the versity through abundant pollina- through the trillions of micro or- planet by removing small farmers tors and thriving soil organic mat- ganisms that are in our gut micro- who care for the land and regen- ter which draws down carbon and biome and which keep our bodies erate the earth. Making Lab Food nitrogen. By taking care of the healthy, both inside and out. the basis of what we eat brings us earth we heal the broken carbon closer to a robotic, non-participa- and nitrogen cycles that are driv- Cultural heritage tory, non-creative and high-tech- ing climate change. Eating is an ecological act, not based existence which denies the an industrial, mechanical act. Corporate control creativity of intelligent life. The web of life is a food web. We stand at a precipice of a We cannot separate food from life. Agroecology planetary emergency, a health Likewise, we cannot separate our- The English word “agricul- emergency, and a crisis of farm- selves from the earth. ture” comes from a combination ers’ livelihoods. The problem is not farming, of the Latin words agrum (form ‘Fake food’ will accelerate the but industrial agriculture. This com- “ager”, meaning “field, farm, land, rush to collapse by promoting the modity-based, fossil fuel intensive estate”) and cultura (“care”, industrial model of food and life and chemical intensive industrial “growing”, “cultivation”), which and the illusion that we live out- food system has contributed 50 became ‘agricultura’ (agriculture, side nature’s ecological processes. percent of the greenhouse gas farming and, etymologically, care It will further destroy food democ- emissions that are causing climate for the land). racy and increase corporate con- havoc and threatening agriculture. Real farming is farming with trol over food and health. It has caused 75 percent of nature, in nature’s ways, which are Real food gives us a chance the destruction of soils, 75 percent the laws of ecology. Real food is to rejuvenate the earth, our health, of the destruction of water re- a by-product of the economy of our food economies, our food sources, and the pollution of our care for the land. It protects the life freedom and food cultures lakes, rivers and oceans; 93 percent of all beings on earth and also nour- through real farming that cares for of crop diversity has been pushed ishes our health and wellbeing. the Earth and people. to extinction through industrial ag- “Sensible farm policies” not Through real food we can riculture. only exist but are today being prac- decolonise our food cultures and And 75 percent of the chron- ticed around the globe. Agroecol- our consciousness. We can remem- ic diseases that are killing us have ogy, which encompasses common ber that food is living and gives us their roots in industrial food. ecological principles – organic life. Food is the currency of life. Assuming that this particular, farming, permaculture, biodynam- Hope lies not in pursuing the distorted and violent method of ic farming, natural farming regen- skewed and lifeless industrialized farming – which has been im- erative agriculture, among many and high-tech system of eating lab- posed on the world over less than others – has been recognized as the produced fake food, but in return- a century – is the only way humans most effective sustainable and eq- ing to Earth Citizenship and be- have farmed and can farm, reveals uitable method of farming which coming part of the Earth’s living a blindness to the diverse cultures also addresses the challenges of cycles, and yes, re-wilding the land, and diverse practices of farming, feeding the world in an era of cli- our food and our bodies. https://navdanyainternational.org/rewilding-food- and threatens the cultural heritage mate crises. rewilding-farming/ 17 PERSPECTIVE Who will seed organic India?

he Union Budget 2020 on agriculture sends one very clear message: The TModi Government is committed to sustainable agriculture. Through poetry, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman spelled out a plan to increase the area under organic farming to four lakh hectares by 2020-21. Under the Green revolution budget, the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (CSS) has been allotted Rs 500 crore for increased coverage of the area under organic certification and addition- ally has got 0.51 lakh hectares (Ha) for organic certification. In total, the Government has given Rs 687.5 crore through three schemes to promote agro-ecological farming in the country. Not only would this increase the production of more organic food for local consumption and exports but it would also ensure that India strides towards sustainability and climate mitigation. On the export front, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) approximated Indian organic exports at Rs 5,151 crore in 2018-19, a 49 per cent jump from 2017-19. Other commendable steps announced by the Finance Minister to ensure that agro-ecological practices return to Indian farms were the creation of an online portal on jaivik kheti to bolster the organic market and the village storage scheme to empower Dhaanya Lakshmi. All these steps are consistent with Piyush Goyal’s Budget Speech of 2019, which made organic food production the eighth dimen- sion of the Modi Government’s vision for 2030. The current Budget is also in line with the BJP’s manifesto promise and Indian food comes as a relief to millions of sententious environmentally-conscious consum- exports to the EU ers and swadeshi supporters alike. and the USA are rejected due to toxic residues found even in certified organic produce. This can only be corrected once the whole organic supply chain, seed to produce, is developed and there are no gaps in between. Indra Shekhar Singh 18 Perspective

Meanwhile the APEDA land leasing terms in organic zones projects organic export to increase A seed can only be to have a discernible effect on the to $50 billion by 2025. However, incomes of farmers and plant many veterans of the organic and called organic if it breeders. grain sector wonder who will seed is grown in India, especially in the biodi- organic India? Do we even have versity-rich zones, is a treasure enough certified organic seeds? organic soils with trove for seed production. By har- Exports of this magnitude can’t agro-ecological moniously working with nature, rely on landraces or traditional va- farmers can produce greater yields rieties of grain alone. We need practices and an and resistance in their seeds, while more efficient mechanisms for organic certificate. also conserving water and their breeding organic seeds to support habitats. The National Bureau of this growth. Indian farmers need Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), superior quality even in organic nology enables organic certifying through a novel programme and grain to sustain this boom. agencies to trace residues in the perhaps some funding from the Four lakh hectares are a hu- seed. And further, this may be a Government, can encourage or- mongous area. To put things in critical point in the future of or- ganic seed entrepreneurs in these perspective, one hectare is roughly ganic trade, especially to the EU zones. the size of two football fields. So and the US. Other organisations such as imagine about 7,50,000 football Even today Indian food ex- Biodiversity International, ICAR fields, spread across India. Many ported to the EU and the USA are and State agricultural universities of these areas are in the remote rejected at respective ports, due to can strengthen this drive. New parts of the country and inaccessi- toxic residues found even in certi- modules need to be created for ble to the formal seed sector. fied organic produce. This can only advanced levels of evolutionary While most people in India, be corrected once seed to the final participatory breeding (EPB) that including farmers, confuse untreat- produce, in fact the whole organic are available to plant breeders and ed seeds (pre-soaked in fungicide supply chain, is developed and farmers in regional languages. This or chemicals) as organic, the fact there are no gaps anywhere in be- programme should be implement- remains that they are misinformed. tween. ed with the assistance of the Gov- A seed can only be called or- As per reports, the global or- ernment. Food Production Organ- ganic if it is grown in organic soils ganic seed market will be worth isations can play an important role, with agro-ecological practices and $5.4 billion by 2024. Hence, India too, in this. an organic certificate. And truth be needs to swerve towards not just To sum up, the Modi Gov- told, the options of buying high more organic food yields but also ernment must prepare to remove performing organic grain are very become an organic seed produc- any impediments to make India the limited as the organic seed indus- tion hub. largest exporter of organic food. try is still very primitive when com- The Government and plant Organic seeds are not only vital for pared to the competitive and re- breeders should create a policy for this vision but if pursued with de- search and development-based in- organic seed production in consul- termination, may fulfil the Govern- dustry of the USA or Germany. tation with global certifying agen- ment’s aim of increasing seed ex- With the emergence of greater cies and so on. This may be fol- ports to 10 per cent and enrich In- demand for organic food, regula- lowed by a push to create organic dian farmers four times over. The tions and standards will only be- seed production clusters in Sikkim, question only remains, will India come stricter. The consensus be- Uttarakhand, Himachal and the make hay when the sun shines on tween all organic certification North-eastern States. Sikkim, an Indian organic produce or nip the mechanisms is that all seeds used organic State, can be most suitable budding organic seed sector? to grow organic foods need to be for this endeavour. The Union (The writer is Director, policy and outreach, National certified too. Budget needs to have a special con- Seed Association of India) https://www.dailypioneer.com/2020/columnists/who-will-seed- The current level of the tech- cession for tax breaks and easier organic-india-.html 19 DEBATE Gandhi's successor?

On 17 February 2020, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's Sar Sanghchalak Shri Mohan Bhagwat re- leased a book 'Mahatma Gandhi ko samajhne ka yahi samay’. Before the release program, the me- dia said that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh wants to start a debate on the recourse of Mahat- ma Gandhi's ideas in the 21st century. The media also said that the Sangh always believed that it was the rightful heir to Gandhi's ideology. In such a situation, the book release and the speech by Sar Sanghchalak at Gandhi Smriti Bhawan on 30 Jan- uary Marg has a special contemporary importance. Gandhian Institutions After the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi in 1948, many organizations took birth in the country in the name of Mahatma Gandhi, who meant that they would not only take Gandhi's personality, works and literature, ie Gandhi's ideol- ogy to masses, but also become instrumental in molding the country's policies in tune with Gandhi's ideas. But all these institutions turned to be purely government institutions, which did not have any significant impact in society; however, these institutions, funded by the government budget, became Gandhiji memorials of gandhiji’s literature and other objects. The task of adapting the policies of the gov- ernment according to Gandhi's ideas became a distant dream. But in these institu- The question and tions, discussions and seminars on Gandhiji's ideas have been going on occasionally. very rightly being After all, who is the successor of Gandhi's ideology? asked today is Gandhiji made his views clear in the book named 'Hind Swaraj' in the year whether Congress 1909 in the context of how economy should operate. Significant is the fact that can really claim to he said this at the very beginning of his public life, and continued to stand on that be the successor of view, till last. According to this book, if India wants to achieve true independence, then it is possible only by making people reside in villages. Truth and non-violence Gandhi, only for can be achieved only by the simplicity of the villages. Charkha which was symbol the reason that it of cottage industries, can only bring true development to the nation, based on the is Gandhi's principle of truth and non-violence. In his letter to Jawaharlal Nehru on 5 Octo- Congress, ber 1945, he reiterated this and said that he admires modern science, but that is no dissolution of obstacle in his goal of improving lives in rural India, rather modern science needs which was to be reclothed and refashioned (to suit our requirement). He narrated in that recommended by letter written to Jawahar Lal Nehru that he envisaged a rural life that would be none other than free from disease, illiteracy, filth and darkness, where no one would be immersed in luxuries. Railways, post office offices and all other means of modern develop- Gandhi himself. ment can go along with the same. Swadeshi The irony is that Jawaharlal Nehru, who has exactly opposite views than Samwad those of Mahatma, was made the Prime Minister of the country according to the 20 Debate wishes Gandhi ji, despite over- hari Vajpayee became the Prime writings of Deendayal Upadhyay, whelming majority in Congress Minister in 1998, the government's Dattopant Thengadi (founder of Party wanted Sarfar Patel to be the goal was clearly defined as ‘Gan- Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, Prime Minister. The contradictions dhian Socialism’. That was the first Bharatiya Kisan Sangh and between economic philosophy of government of independent India, Swadeshi Jagran Manch) and Rash- Jawahar and Mahatma are very which clearly gave importance to triya Swayamsevak Sangh, we find much clear from the correspon- Gandhi's economic ideology and reiteration of the economic philos- dence between Mahatma Gandhi philosophy. Under the changed cir- ophy again and again that both cap- and Jawaharlal Nehru. In response cumstances, by freeing the country italism and socialism/communism to the above letter from Gandhi, from of Congress rule of 50 years don’t suit our country and we need Jawaharlal Nehru writes that Bapu, rule after Gandhi's death, Gandhi's to focus on small and cottage in- (Mahatma Gandhi ji) I did not dreams could be declared as the dustry, rural industries and rural agree with your views even before goals of the government (very first development. RSS also always be- and still do not agree. While ex- non Congress government, which lieved that we need technology pressing complete disagreement lasted for more than 5 years). which suits our conditions and with Mahatma Gandhi's views Significantly, this did not hap- huge labour force. Swadeshi and about the importance of the vil- pen suddenly. First, ‘Jana Sangh’ and self reliance have always been slo- lages, Nehru wrote, “A village, nor- later the ‘Bharatiya Janata Party’ gan of RSS, which Congress has mally speaking, is backward intel- clearly adopted Deendayal Up- forgotten since long. lectually and culturally and no adhyay's Philosophy of Integral Congress has always advocat- progress can be made from a Humanism, as guiding principle for ed an economic policy different backward environment. Narrow- the political party. Deen Dayal from Gandhi's ideas, first, adopt- minded people are much more Upadhyaya clearly believed that the ing Communism-inspired social- likely to be untruthful and violent.” well being of the people cannot ism based on public sector and lat- There is no doubt that Jawaharlal be improved by capitalism or so- er aggressive capitalism (after Nehru did not agree with Gan- cialism and communism. From 1991). While Gandhi repeatedly dhiji's views at all. Except for a the point of view of conducting talked about education, employ- short stint of Lal Bahadur Shastri, economic policies, Deendayal be- ment, sanitation, health, rural indus- the functioning of the first 50 years lieved that there should be ample tries through the development of of independent India, Gandhiji's opportunities and encouragement villages, the economic policy of ideas never mattered during the for everyone to start and run en- Congress always talked about ur- tenure of Jawahar Lal Nehru, his terprise. The goal of decentralisa- banization and the exclusion of daughter Indira Gandhi and his tion can be achieved only through farmers from villages. grandson Rajiv Gandhi. No Prime small scale, cottage and rural indus- Rashtriya Swayamsevak Minister from that family gave any tries, which was one of the goals Sangh has always been supporter heed to what was the economic of his philosophy. Objective of of rural development, rural indus- philosophy of the Mahatma, employment and swadeshi can au- trialisation, strengthening village- whom they considered to be ‘fa- tomatically achieve in this philoso- based economy and integrated ther of the nation’. phy. Deendayal Upadhyaya's Inte- thinking of production, employ- The Industrial Policy and other gral Philosophy, is no separate doc- ment, environment, etc., with de- economic policies framed during trine, it is actually an expression and centralization based on Gandhi's the Janata Party government manifestation of India's Integral ideology. Therefore, the question formed after the end of emergen- thinking that envisions a society and very rightly being asked today cy in 1977 spoke about small and devoid of exploitation of work- is whether Congress can really cottage industries and village based ers, nature and other living beings. claim to be the successor of Gan- economy. This government, which Deendayal Upadhyay was dhi, only for the reason that it is lasted for a very short period, had representing the thinking of the Gandhi's Congress, dissolution of no special effect in the conduct of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh which was recommended by none economic policies. After Atal Vi- (RSS). If we look at the series of other than Gandhi himself. 21 AGRICULTURE Pesticides Management Bill 2020 is an opportunity to clean up India’s food and farming systems!

Reports indicate that a new Pesti- cides Management Bill 2020 is ready to be introduced into the Parliament in this session, with the earlier 2008 version proposed to be withdrawn by the government. The current state of regulation of pesticides in India, using the extant law called Insecticides Act 1968, has not caught up with post-modern pest management science nor has taken cognizance of a huge body of sci- entific evidence on the ill effects of synthetic pesticides. It is high time that new legislation is brought in – however, what is unclear is if the Pesticides Management Bill 2020 has indeed overhauled its approach to regulation as needed. India is the fourth-largest producer of pesticides in the world, with the mar- ket segmentation tilted mainly towards insecticides, with herbicides on the in- crease in the recent past. It is reported that eight states consume more than 70% of the pesticides used in India. Amongst the crops, paddy accounts for the max- imum share of consumption (26-28%), followed by cotton (18-20%), notwith- standing all the hype around Bt technology. There are 292 pesticides registered in The new Pesticides the country, and it is estimated that there are around 104 pesticides that are contin- Management Bill ued to be produced/ used in India that have been banned in two or more coun- (PMB) is a step in tries in the world. The industry has grown to be an INR 20,000 crores business in right direction India, with the top 3 companies having a market share of 57%. The acute pesticide poisoning deaths and hospitalisations that Indian farm- which would workers and farmers fall prey to are ignominious by now. It is not just human address gaps in beings but wildlife and livestock that are poisoned routinely by toxic pesticides as the present numerous reports indicate. regulatory regime Against this backdrop, any new Pesticides Management Bill (PMB) should around pesticides be seen as an opportunity to set right many shortcomings of the existing regula- and clean up our tory regime around pesticides in India and to clean up our food and farming food and farming systems as much as we can. Information from the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare on its latest draft of the Bill shows some improvements com- systems. pared to earlier versions. However, many more shortcomings have to be plugged Kavitha before the statute can be enacted and this article is an effort to enumerate some Kuruganti much-needed amendments. 22 Agriculture

Firstly, the sole objective of ticide has been banned or severely right now). The effects can be on the statute to be stated in the Pre- restricted in two or more countries. health, or it could be contamina- amble should be clearly limited to If yes, such a pesticide should not tion of an organic crop, or the protecting human health and the be registered in India. WHO Class poisoning of livestock etc. Pesti- environment from the risks posed I and II pesticides should not be cide registrants and manufacturers by pesticides. Any ‘clearing house’ registered and the same should (this is often outsourced to small or facilitation objectives in regula- apply to known carcinogens, en- units) should be made accountable tory legislation indicate a certain docrine disruptors, teratogens, etc., and liable for any such impacts for promotional approach that does and those pesticides implicated in compensation and remediation. not bode well. All the regulators most cases of ingestion or inhala- The proposed Compensation would also be clearer about their tion poisonings in the country. Fund should be created by collect- responsibility with this sole objec- Fifth, every registered pesti- ing a cess from the industry and tive of biosafety protection as the cide should automatically come up cannot depend only on penalties reason for the legislation. Promo- for a review every five years. Re- collected for contraventions of the tion does not need regulatory legis- views can also be triggered by any Act. All other players involved in lation, and is usually done through data captured in new poisoning the production and supply chain of programs and schemes. In this spirit, data systems to be instituted, or pesticides can be asked to seek their there should be no time limit spec- regulatory actions in other coun- redressal in the Consumer Protec- ified for registration of pesticides tries. A separate review committee tion Act. from the time of receipt of an ap- should be set up under the Act, Ninth, penalties for contraven- plication. Why should speedy regis- consisting only of biosafety experts, tions of the Act should be deter- trations of toxic materials take place different from the Registration ring enough. Today, even though at all, when farming can indeed be Committee. aerial spraying of pesticides with the done without the use of synthetic Sixth, all registrations should use of drones is illegal, it is being pesticides and with the use of post- be based on long term, indepen- done by numerous entities. modern pest management science dent and transparent biosafety as- Tenth, pesticides industry and agro-ecological practices? sessment, without any conflict of should be brought under a regula- Second, all statutory appoint- interest. Such an assessment should tory regime that makes it account- ments to the Central Pesticides Board be of the active ingredient but also able for the entire product cycle and the Registration Committee of ‘inert substances’ that go into including disposal. Regulation should clearly specify that mem- formulating a pesticide, and of should also cover advertising and bers should be independent, com- breakdown products. aggressive marketing – pesticides pletely devoid of any conflict of Seventh, state governments are after all toxic substances! interest with the pesticide industry. should be empowered with the The fears around productivi- Third, registration-related power to prohibit the manufacture ty dips without synthetic pesticides provisions should clearly include a or use of a pesticide in their juris- have been debunked by a large Need and Alternatives Assessment diction (and not just for one year, body of scientific evidence and before a pesticide registration ap- pending reviews). After all, India’s experience of organic/natural plication is processed. The logic Constitution itself empowers the farmers around the country. here is why should we have more states to have this authority, and The Prime Minister had put and more chemicals registered and they are best suited to figure out out a clarion call to farmers in his used when (safer) alternatives ex- which pesticides are to be used and Independence Day speech in 2019, ist. This is one clear mechanism by which not, in their respective states. asking for a reduction in toxic which the objective of the Bill can Eighth, agricultural labourers, chemicals in farming. This is quite be fulfilled. farmers and ordinary citizens possible, if the Pesticides Manage- Fourth, registration proce- should not be forced to take re- ment Bill is passed with all the dures should lay down some terms course to the Consumer Protection above elements incorporated. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/voices/pesticides- and conditions. The applicant has Act to seek compensation if “af- management-bill-2020-is-an-opportunity-to-clean-up-indias-food-and- to specify whether a particular pes- fected” (the PMB proposes this farming-systems/ 23 ISSUE Pseudo-Caliphate and India

Even if we overlook the facts about which nation is “occupying” Kashmir, by stating that there is “no difference between Gallipoli and occupied Kashmir”, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan unambiguously signalled his intention to emerge as the “imam” of the new (pseudo) Caliphate he hopes to lead by 2023, the centenary of the Turkish Republic. Addressing a joint session of Pakistan’s Parliament (February 14), he lauded sacrifices made by it in the war on terror and the “positive contributions” it made to the Afghanistan peace process and prom- ised support during the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) meet in Paris (Febru- ary 16-21, 2020). His denunciation of US President Donald Trump’s Mideast plan hints at an eventual challenge to Riyadh in the region. Erdogan’s determination to restore the Caliphate has created a visible schism between the Arab States formally led by Saudi Arabia and the non-Arab States led by Turkey. A nascent axis is discernible between Turkey, Malaysia and Pakistan; Iran and Qatar complete the anti-Riyadh alignment. Erdogan declared in Febru- ary 2018, “The Republic of Turkey is a continuation of the Ottoman Empire… the essence is the same, soul is the same…” Unsurprisingly, Ankara has emerged as the new hub for anti-India activities by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Unknown to most people, Turkey has universal jurisdiction laws as part of its domestic laws. Article 13 of the Turk- ish Penal Code states, “Turkish law shall apply to” the crime of torture “commit- ted in a foreign country whether or not committed by a citizen or non-citizen.” Khalistanis tried to invoke these laws. Sikhs for Justice, a group working for a referendum (“Referendum 2020”) to create Khalistan, is believed to be funded by the ISI. In October 2018, its legal advisor, Gurpatwant Singh Pan- nun, filed a case against Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh when he

By throwing his weight behind Islamabad on the Kashmir issue, Erdogan unambiguously signalled his intention to emerge as the imam of the new Caliphate he hopes to lead. Sandhya Jain 24 Issue visited Turkey to pay homage at this would not take off for want ister Imran Khan’s tweet on Au- Gallipoli to soldiers from the First of jurisdiction; no individual can gust 15, 2019, where he invoked Patiala Infantry Regiment (now 15 file a case in the ICJ, only States Srebrenica, site of the 1995 geno- Punjab), who lost their lives in can. Of course, his arrival in the cide of over 8,000 Bosnians by the World War I, on the centenary of Netherlands would be embarrass- Bosnian Serb Army led by Ratko the Great War. ing for India. Mladic. Khan tweeted: “Will the Pannun went to Gallipoli to But if Faesal really wanted to world silently witness another Sre- secure an arrest warrant and restrain go to The Hague, he could have brenica-type massacre and ethnic the Punjab Chief Minister from taken a direct flight to Amsterdam. cleansing of Muslims in IOK? I leaving Turkey. As the Captain was His plan was to exploit Turkey’s want to warn the international on a non-official trip, he lacked Article 13 universal jurisdiction law. community if it allows this to hap- diplomatic immunity as under the Some human rights NGO would pen, it will have severe repercus- Vienna Protocol, only the Prime receive him at Ankara, where he sions and reactions in the Muslim Minister and External Affairs Min- would be lionised as a civil service world setting off radicalisation and ister are “protected persons” when topper (2010) and Harvard alum- cycles of violence.” The talk of abroad in personal capacity. In Pa- ni who quit a Government job to “massacre and ethnic cleansing” of kistan, Erdogan lauded a 1915 ral- protest against the activities of the Kashmiri Muslims is, of course, ly in Lahore, led by Allama Iqbal, Indian State in Kashmir. Actually pure bunkum but the tweet sug- where people from present-day Faesal resigned from the service in gests an ISI hand in the aborted Pakistan supported the Turkish January 2019 in order to enter pol- Turkish escapade. people and blatantly ignored the itics. However, the sudden split of Meanwhile, Erdogan has sacrifices made by Indian soldiers Jammu & Kashmir and freeze on been cultivating separatist, religious at Gallipoli (Battle of Çanakkale), political activity nixed his unborn and business leaders and Islamic possibly because the bells tolled for political career, leaving NGO ac- groups in Kashmir after the tweak- the Ottoman Empire. tivism his only alternative. ing of Article 370; this goes deep- Turkey’s domestic laws ex- Had he reached Ankara, the er than his traditional support to plain why ex-IAS officer Shah Fae- international media would have Pakistan at the Organisation of Is- sal was going to Turkey on August splashed Kashmir on the front pag- lamic Conference. Previously also, 14, 2019, soon after the Centre es of all important newspapers and he supported Pakistan in the FATF. abrogated Article 370 and divided magazines and the Indian media While addressing the UN General the State of Jammu & Kashmir into would follow suit, thus making Assembly on September 25, 2019, the Union Territories of Jammu Faesal the global face of the anti- he chided the international com- and Kashmir and Ladakh. It is India Islamic movement. Once he munity for not paying proper at- possible that some foreign men- managed to file a case in Turkey, tention to Kashmir over the past tors asked Faesal to invoke these Islamabad would almost certainly seven decades. laws in Turkey. He was to file a have followed up by filing a case Interestingly, soon after the case of human rights violations against India at the ICJ, where it FATF and UNGA meetings, the against Union Home Minister Amit has suffered reverses in the Kulb- Indian Overseas Congress headed Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath hushan Jadhav case. by Rahul Gandhi loyalist Sam Pitro- Singh, the then Chief of Army However, Faesal’s mentors da opened an office in Istanbul in Staff Gen Bipin Rawat and oth- could not anticipate the lookout November 2019. Possibly the Con- ers, on behalf of his political par- notices for Kashmiris trying to gress hopes to recover its once- ty, Jammu & Kashmir People’s leave the country; he was caught at committed Muslim vote bank by Movement (JKPM). the airport, sent back to Srinagar cultivating the emerging Caliphate; Media reports stated that and placed in preventive custody. the repercussions on India’s inter- from Ankara, Faesal was likely to He has now been booked under nal affairs will need careful obser- try to take the Kashmir issue to the the Public Safety Act (February 15). vation. International Court of Justice (ICJ) This argument can be corrob- (The author is a senior journalist. Views expressed are personal) at The Hague, the Netherlands. But orated from Pakistan Prime Min- https://www.dailypioneer.com/2020/columnists/pseudo-caliphate-and-india.html 25 FARMING The hazards of pesticides

AMIDST a hurricane of lawsuits that agrochemical multinational Bayer-Mon- santo faces in the US and elsewhere over its herbicides Roundup and Dicamba’s alleged link to cancer, a joint investigation by Unearthed, a journalists’ research group founded by Swiss NGO Public Eye and Greenpeace UK, found that India tops the global chart with nearly 59 per cent of the sales being of ‘highly hazardous pesticides’. Japan follows with 52 per cent; Brazil, 49 per cent; US, 36 per cent; and the UK, only 11 per cent. As per a report in The Guardian, agrochemical companies have disputed this data. Bayer has specifically termed it ‘misleading’, but has still not countered it with its own data. Meanwhile, CropLife International, a powerful lobby group of the agro-chemical industry, claims only 15 per cent of its products are ‘highly hazardous’, 10 per cent that can be ‘used safely and responsibly’. Nevertheless, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the UN Food and Ag- riculture Organisation (FAO), highly hazardous pesticides (HHP) are defined as “pesticides that are acknowledged to present particularly high levels of acute or chronic hazards to health or the environment, according to internationally accept- ed classification systems.” This reminds me of a discussion I had with Nobel laureate Norman Bor- laug in the mid-1980s. On what he had to say about Rachel Carlson’s path-break- ing book Silent Spring, considered to have spearheaded the environment move- ment, Borlaug said she was an ‘evil force’ and ‘these are the kind of people who don’t want hunger to go away’. He then explained that pesticides are like medi-

Proposed Bill needs to make the industry pay for health damages. Devinder Sharma 26 Farming cines. Farmers have to use them carefully, taking all the precautions. Pesticides have What Borlaug said could be debat- ed at length, but it certainly formed "catastrophic the basic strategy for the Green impacts on the Revolution, wherein pesticides were used to save crops from pest environment, damage. But over the years, as pes- human health and ticides became more pervasive in environment, innumerable studies society as a whole". have shown the use and abuse of chemical pesticides leading to en- Glyphosate and cancer, a large (NCRB) had recorded 7,060 vironmental damages, ecological number of cancer victims never- deaths from accidental pesticide imbalances, pest resistance and theless began filing legal cases. As poisoning in 2015. The fact that contamination of the entire food per the latest count, an estimated the nearly Rs 20,000-crore pesticide chain. More recently, the UN Hu- 42,000 (and still counting) lawsuits industry is expected to grow at a man Rights Council has said that have been filed so far. Several legal rate of 8.1 per cent till 2024, clear- pesticides have “catastrophic im- sources say that the number of ly shows how crucial it is to fix the pacts on the environment, human plaintiffs may have already swelled regulatory holes. The proposed health and society as a whole.” to over one lakh by now. Pesticide Management Bill 2020, Hilal Elver, the UN Special The lawsuits now have also expected to be placed in Parlia- Rapporteur on the right to food, moved on to another herbicide, ment, will perhaps not only tight- told The Guardian: “It’s a myth. Dicamba. On February 15, a US en the regulations and make the Using more pesticides has nothing federal court awarded a Missouri industry pay for the health damag- to do with getting rid of hunger. farmer $265 million in damages es it causes, but also look beyond, According to FAO, we are able to for the destruction of his peach keeping in mind the tens of thou- feed 7 billion people today. Pro- orchard. The farmer charged the sands of lawsuits. duction is definitely increasing, but two big agrochemical companies If only the world had listened the problem is poverty, inequality — Bayer and BASF — for wreak- to forewarning that Prof David and distribution.” The report fur- ing havoc on his orchard from Pimental of the University of Cor- ther said: “Chronic exposure to Dicamba herbicide sprays done by nell had issued in the mid-1970s, pesticides has been linked to can- his neighbour that drifted to his perhaps much of the damage cer, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s dis- field. The companies face another could have been averted. His sci- eases, hormone disruption, devel- 140 more or less similar lawsuits entific paper was titled: ‘99.9% opmental disorders and sterility.” against Dicamba. pesticides go into environment. After the International Agen- In three trials against Glypho- Only 0.1% hits the target pest.’ cy for Research on Cancer (IARC) sate, the jury has awarded $2.3 bil- Knowing that pesticides are poi- published a report linking Glypho- lion in damages to four plaintiffs. son, and with less than one per cent sate (the active ingredient in Although the damages were later of chemicals effective against RoundUp herbicide) to cancer in reduced to $190 million, the judg- pests, the world could have cer- humans, a flurry of lawsuits in the ments mostly pertain to the failure tainly evolved safer alternatives. US was unleashed against the use of the company to adequately Who will take the blame? of the toxic pesticide. While Mon- warn consumers of cancer risks But equally important, if 90 santo (which has since been bought posed by the herbicide. per cent of all food eaten in the city over by Bayer) claimed that regu- In India, Down to Earth of Copenhagen is organic, there is latory agencies worldwide, includ- magazine says that on an average, no reason why city dwellers cannot ing European Commission and US 10,000 pesticide poisoning cases opt for healthy, pesticide-free food. Environment Protection Agency, are reported every year. The Na- That’s a true smart city. do not point to a link between tional Crime Records Bureau https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/the-hazards-of-pesticides-45295 27 VIEW POINT Impact of e-Commerce on Government Income

E-commerce and E-business have seen worldwide applications in different forms. The e-commerce and e-business are the words which are interchangeably used. But both these terms has different meanings. The e-commerce is mostly restrict- ed to the transaction between buyer and seller in an online platform while e- business is about doing all the business activities in an online platform. The ex- panding internet penetration is escalating these new avatars of doing things and has repercussions everywhere. When the role of these new arrivals was small the repercussions were small - small enough to be ignored; and now these repercus- sions have become extreme- extreme enough to look for countering its impact to the highest authority in the system i.e. the government, i.e. the government’s source of income, i.e.- the tax collection. In physical store, the buyer and the seller meet with each other, choose the product, pays for the product, receives the product and the invoice, and knows the physical location of the store which has a specific registered address. But the world of e-business or e-commerce is quite different. There are various formats of e-business. In business to business format i.e. B2B, the transaction happens between two companies or two business entities. The end-user customer is miss- ing in this chain. In business to consumer format i.e. B2C, the transaction happens between the company or the business unit and the end-user customer. In consum- er to consumer format, i.e. C2C, the transaction happens between consumers to the consumer. The other format C2B is the consumer to business format and it is a kind of business model where the consumers create products which are used by companies for their business processes. This could be possible only because of the arrival of the internet. Business to administration i.e. B2A is the format where the transaction happens between business and the government using the

Now is the time to think about how to assure the government’s income in the new civilization of e- commerce and e- companies. Alok Singh 28 View Point online mode. The consumer to user is least bothered who is their formly, addresses the concern of Administration i.e. C2A is the for- supplier or manufacturer. But the e-business and e-commerce relat- mat where the transaction happens magnitude has become so high and ed issues for all the tax authorities between the consumer and the it is rising at an exponential rate in and motivates or forces e-com- government on the online plat- tier two cities and beyond that to merce companies to play fairly in form. The concerned area in the towns and might reach villages. We the business of trade and logistics. context of bypassing the govern- have seen in past how Coco-cola So, it is suggested that the ment’s stake is B2C, followed by and Pepsi has penetrated the vil- countries should come together B2B, and C2C; but not restricted lage markets, so it won’t be sur- and develop a common frame- to these only. prising if the government don’t do work to tax the e-commerce and The e-commerce has eliminat- anything and the village-level retail e-business entities. There is a need ed the intermediaries such as the shops are in trouble and villages are for an international level organiza- colony retailer and the city whole- dominated by their dependency on tion to make sure that the tax saler who could be relied upon to e-commerce companies. stakes of all the nations of the identify taxpayers. The companies The new civilization is wel- world in the context of tax collec- are offered a lot of tax incentives- come and the tax regime and the tion from e-commerce and e-busi- it’s sometimes customized, some- tax process need to be changed to ness are assured. The international times are in favor of domestic meet the new challenge. The tax body should provide uniformity in companies over foreign compa- system and the tax process need interpretation of tax rules so that nies, and sometimes are in favor to be compatible in a way that the the e-commerce companies and e- of foreign companies over do- scope of tax arbitrage or tax eva- business companies do not have mestic companies. There is a lack sion is checked. any arbitrage opportunity to evade of clarity to tax authorities and The governments across the tax. The uniformity should not be hence an opportunity for e-com- world are struggling to come up mistaken as that all the countries merce entities to evade tax. with ways to tax the business which should have same tax rate. The tax Initially, the e-commerce tar- has migrated from physical format rates are an internal matter. It’s not geted the last mile connectivity to to electronic format. The scope of about the international trade agree- the end-users i.e. the retailers, then monitoring has become more chal- ment only, it has moved one step wholesalers felt burnt, followed by lenging, as companies are registered in different direction.The e-com- domestic companies and finally the in one country but are doing busi- merce companies are duping one government’s own income i.e. tax ness in other countries. There is the country after other. on the income of e-commerce interaction among various tax laws Now is the time to think about companies. Or it can be put in an- and various trade laws, spread how to assure the government’s other way - that- initially the small across various countries. The e- income in the new civilization of retailers suffered, they were too commerce companies are exploit- e-commerce and e-companies. weak to resist and the government ing this complexity to the full- to The rules and regulations need to assumed that the end-user custom- their advantage at the cost of many be dynamic and whenever any oth- ers are happy at the cost of retail- nations. Someone in country “A” is er disruptive technology or disrup- ers, so signals were ignored; then losing the job, someone in country tive financial system creates trou- the heat came to the wholesalers, “B” is losing revenue because bles for any stakeholder in the do- followed by manufacturers and somewhere in-country “C” there mestic supply chain, it is the duty now it’s the turn of the govern- is a registered e-commerce com- of the government to act proac- ment to feel the heat. The govern- pany and the promoters living in tively and the parameters should ment can be accused of not pre- the country “D” are printing mon- not be how much impact it is mak- paring well in advance, to safeguard ey. The stakeholders of “A”, ing now, the parameters should be the stakes of retailers, the govern- “B”,”C”, “…”,… are waiting for how much impact it will have in ment also missed the time to safe- a standard worldwide tax system the future. The lack of prepared- guard the interest of the manufac- which is strong enough, compati- ness in the context of e-commerce turers and wholesalers. The end- ble appropriately, interpreted uni- is a learning. 29 CURRENT ISSUE China’s Corona Challenge and Lessons Learnt

This Year Spring festival celebration of New Year 2020 in China, marked as Rat Year in mandarin calendar, has led to much discontent and mourning given the unexpected outbreak of Corona virus causing number of deaths in China. As reported by China’s National Health Commission (CNHC) there was a total of 74,185 confirmed cases as of Feb. 18, and 2,004 people have died so far due to deadly virus infection. The situation has turned out to be worse in the last months, bringing the daily life and routine at halt in the beautiful and picturesque city of Wuhan. Moreover, the gradual spread of infectious Coronavirus within China has posed ‘severe health risks’ for the people living in other regions as well. Given the belated acknowledgment of the outbreak, early efforts to cover up the crisis and lack of preparedness of health infrastructure in Wuhan to contain the epidemic, both the Chinese government and its people are caught up in a very frightening situation. As per the World health Organisation (WHO) guidelines, Coronaviruses make up a large family of viruses that can infect birds and mammals, including humans. In earlier too, these viruses have been linked to the outbreak of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) pandemic of 2003 and the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) outbreak in South Korea 2015 having triggered the global health concerns. Globally, there were 1,739 new confirmed cases during the 24- hour reporting period between Saturday and Sunday. The outbreak remains chal- lenge for Chinese state, having both economic and social implications. The im- pact of the market shutdown and empty public spaces is also been felt beyond China’s borders. To say, even after reporting the first incident of coronavirus infection in Wuhan and the subsequent death on Jan 26, the slow response of the state health

After Hong Kong crisis, the corona outbreak brings another challenge for Chinese state. Abhishek Pratap Singh 30 Current Issue machinery has caused the epidem- ic outbreak in the region. Having The coronavirus learned from SARS outbreak in outbreak will also 2003 and Wenchuan earthquake 2008, China’s national emergency have certain socio- response system must have shown political its ability to concentrate efforts and resources to contain the epidemic implications for outbreak. Moreover, top-level health China’s model of emergency efforts were activated political governance. very late by the end of January 2020. Notably, ‘transparency of Beijing, Xu Zhangrun in his online Even though late the state measures’ is key to any outbreak essay. Sympathy for the dead doc- apparatus has been fully activated control but in case of China the tor who sounded the early alarm to contain the outbreak. Several doctors who reported the crisis over coronavirus is mixed with committees and response teams at initially were subject to spreading anger at the government and lead- different levels have been formed rumours. The death of Dr. Li Wen- ership. to check the heath safeguards for laing on February 7, after he was The newly affluent savvy Chi- citizens. In addition, the crisis like infected with the deadly coronavi- nese middle class has remained this necessitates a more open and rus unleashed a wave of public often critical of China’s top down wider global health cooperation outrage on Chinese social media. model of political control, which from countries. In times of crisis, It also suffers due to limitations of disallows any expression of dissat- the WHO — a U.N. agency based China’s development model and isfaction with the ruling state. For in Geneva — must work with demands improving the cross re- the common Chinese citizen the member countries to get more in- gional and more decentralised much noise of government pro- formation and coordinate an emergency response mechanism paganda and state power around emergency response system in place within China, not always subjected the corona crisis management does for countries. The colonial experi- to top-down model of control make a sense for its mishandling ence of Team of Doctors from and governance. In addition, the of a health emergency. It demand- India led by Dr. Kotnis to China reputation of China’s health care ed a more open and quick response could be one such good example. system has come in question given from the state, rather another ex- One has to understand that the spread of virus outbreak. ample of the regime’s ineptitude. managing the outbreak of a new The coronavirus outbreak will On the economic front, for a infection is never an easy task. The also have certain socio-political country with 14.55 trillion USD $ collective efforts to develop a vac- implications for China’s model of economy and with a global share cine for the virus could be break- political governance. In 2017, Chi- of 19 % in global market and also through in these times and contain na pushed for the effectiveness of highly integrated with global eco- its spread in future. But more im- one party state model for the coun- nomic system, the corona outbreak portantly, public information and tries that want to speed up their has also come with huge econom- awareness about such kind of development process and growth. ic cost to China. Economic activi- health emergency must be strength- However, the present crisis does ty is many Chinese cities have ened globally, to better cope up to raise some questions on the effec- sharply declined. At the time, when this kind of epidemic manage- tiveness of one party state model Chinese are facing the economic ment. This will surely help out glo- to face up short-term crisis and downturn given the ‘new normal’ bal health safety standards to the long-term challenges. The coro- and challenges on the trade front protection of human life and navirus epidemic has revealed the due to US policies, the outbreak peace. rotten core of Chinese gover- has come at no good time for *Holds PhD in China Studies from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi and teaches at Deshbandhu nance,” quotes a law professor in Chinese economy. College, University of Delhi. 31 HISTORY Charak Samhita: Ancient India’s Contributions to the Medical Science

n continuation with our article on Ayurveda in the last issue of Swadeshi Patri- Ika, we bring to readers some of the salient features of Charaka Samhita, the first Indian text on medical Science, specially Ayurveda. Ayurveda is the most ancient indigenous medical system of India. According to various Ayurvedic lit- eratures, Brahma (the creator) was the divine source of this science. The knowl- edge of Ayurved was recalled by Lord Brahma. He transfers his noble knowl- edge of Ayurved to God Daksha Prajapati who, in turn, passed it totally to twin brothers (Ashvinikumars) who were the physician of the Gods. The Ashviniku- mars then proffered this knowledge to the king of gods i.e. Lord Indra. From Indra, the knowledge of Ayurved descended to earth in two different ways. According to Charak samhita, once upon a time, when the people on earth were suffered with various kinds of diseases, the sage, Bharadwaja was deputed by an assembly of learned teachers to go to Lord Indra to learn Ayurveda. Then Bharad- waja, the semi-divine sage was instructed by Indra to spread this invaluable sci- ence of longevity on the earth. On his return, Bharadwaja imparted his knowl- edge to Punarvasu Atreya and later their six disciples. The present manuscript of Charak samhita has a long history behind it. The original source i.e. Charak samhita is identified as the Agnivesha Tantra based on the teachings of Punarvasu Atreya. Atreya was a famous rishi who taught in the famous Takshashila university during the Buddhist era, however, he also traveled extensively and held symposia in different parts of the country. He is also known as Atreya. After study and due permission of their preceptor all six disciples namely Agnivesha, Bhela, Jatukarna, Parashara, Harita and Ksharapani compose their own tantra under the guidance of Punarvasu Atreya. The writing of this tantra is done only after obtaining permission from their preceptor. Of those, the Kashmiri Pandit Dridhabala is credited with the present form of Charaka Samhita. This treatise expounds treatment (Kaya Chikitsa) based on internal and external use of Ayurvedic medicines. Prof. Nandini Sinha Kapur 32 History

Agnivesha-Tantra, composed by tant text, Charak samhita was again cine. Though the samhita contains Agnivesha, was unique in depth and revised by a Kashmiri Pandita all the theoretical knowledge of content. Charak samhita is com- named Dridhabala, son of Kapila- Ayurveda its focus is on healing the posed in the form of questions bala residential of Panchanandpur. body, mind and soul of a patient in and answers between Atreya and The present form to Charak the minimum invasive manner that’s Agniveshadi six disciples. samhita was given to it by Acharya Kaya Chikitsa. Hence, he placed Therefore it was considered Dridhabala. He not only reconsti- great emphasis on the diagnostic the best. But in course of time this tutes and restores the missing chap- part of the treatment. It is included tantra became mutilated and now ters but also added new chapters in the list of three mostly authentic original work of Agnivesha is not in samhita and made the samhita samhitas of Ayurvedic science available for study. Noticing this complete and suitable for study. It which are known as “Brihattrayee” condition, a scholar by name Char- is not difficult to identify the chap- and held in high esteem since many ak collect all the fragments of scat- ter added by Acharya Dridhabala millennia. Brihattrayee consists of tered tantra and revised with nec- because he clearly mentioned in the Charak samhita, Sushruta samhita essary correction and made it suit- last chapter of Charak samhita that and Ashtanga Hridya respectively. able for study. After revision, he added total 17 chapters in Chi- Acharya Charka has not men- Acharya Charak renamed Agnive- kitsasthana and 12 chapters each of tioned his birth place and proper sha Tantra as Charak samhita and Kalpasthana and Siddhisthana (to- introduction anywhere in Charak hence after this it came to be known tal of 41 chapters which form one samhita which create curiosity as Charak samhita. But it is not easy third of the entire text). From among various historical and to identify the chapters added, de- above sources we can conclude that Ayurvedists. But he quoted north– leted or amended by Charak. To Charak samhita has passed through west regions of India such as Hi- keep away our self from Abhidhya the following three stages in its malaya, Panchala kshetra, Kailash dosha, Acharya Charak clearly men- completion. and panchandapura etc. All these tioned one quotation at the end of 1. 1st stage: Punarvasu above references suggest that may every chapter of Charak samhita Atreya expounding the knowledge be from north-west region of the which is “Agniveshakrute Tantre of Ayurveda and Agnivesha com- India. Charak is considered as a Charak pratisanskrite” which means piled the tantra. son of Vishuddha krishi and disci- this tantra was originally composed 2. 2nd stage: Acharya Char- ple of Vaishyampayan. by Agnivesha and organized or put ak redacting Agnivesha tantra which The Charak samhita is a huge together by Charak. After this re- is popular as Charak Samhita. treatise on ancient Indian medicine. daction this text became more 3. 3rd stage: Charak samhita It was written in Sanskrit language. popular as Charak samhita in the redacted and revised by a Kash- It is a voluminous text composed name of the redactor. miri Pandita Dridhabala. in both prose and poetry form. Many Ayurvedic experts as- This work is sometimes con- Poetry was known to serve as a sume that Agnivesha tantra contin- sidered a redaction of an older memory aid. In ancient times this ued to exist for a long time upto and more voluminous work, Ag- style helped aspiring Ayurvedic stu- about 7th cent AD the period of nivesha samhita, which is no long- dents to memorize the sutras. Char- Acharya Vagbhata who has quoted er extant. It describes not only the ak samhita consists of 9295 Sutras some verse from it. Charak samhi- existing knowledge about medicine and 120 adhyayas (chapters). The ta, Sushruta samhita and Vagbhata aspects but also the logic and phi- number ‘120’ appears to bear some samhita are considered as the most losophy behind the medical sys- significance because Ashtanga hri- important samhita of Kritayuga, tems. It concentrates on the branch daya, Kashyapa samhita and Bhela Dwaparyuga and Kaliyuga respec- of Ayurveda called Kaya Chikitsa samhita also contain 120 chapters tively. In the course of some more (internal medicine). Charak fol- each. In Charak samhita Adhyayas centuries even this Charak samhita lowed the Aatreya School of Phy- are distributed into Ashtanga stha- became mutilated and some por- sicians, which predominantly deals na (eight sections). Each section is tion is lost. Noticing this pathetic with treatments through internal further divided into numerous condition of an ancient and impor- and external application of medi- chapters. 33 NEWS

SJM writes to Minister on BT cotton Moreover, such patents have now expired, are deemed illegal in India. Speaking to IANS, Mahajan who is often credited for stalling the RCEP, said, "In India, we don''t allow patenting seeds. Yet they claim a patent here." This is not the first time SJM wrote to the Ministry about it. Last year on March 1, SJM wrote to the Minis- try arguing against the trait value as illegal. But this time he claims, even that questionable patent has ex- pired on November 4, 2019. So all the premium charged since has been unduly usurped, the Swadeshi Jagran Manch claims. Another key argument is the At a time when the Modi government has tried claim over the crops'' contamination. "It has repeat- to project a pro-farmer image through the recent edly conceded by the Ministry that Bt 2 trait has not Union Budget, the Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) has been working for Pink Bollworm and there was no given a war cry against BT crop giant Monsanto. SJM justification for charging trait value of any amount, shot off a letter to Minister of Agriculture & against the interests of the farmers," SJM wrote. While Farmers'' Welfare Narendra Tomar, arguing the ''trait Monsanto is a global corporate giant and wields mas- value'' charged from farmers for Bollgard-II, a variety sive influence, the argument of bringing farmers'' in- of cotton plants, should be written off completely terest may be prove to be tricky for the Centre. considering the patent for the plant in question has ex- The Modi government has gone out of its way pired. Trait value is something similar to a royalty to project a pro-farmer image in this Union Budget charged from farmers. SJM which had started the de- where apart from goodies, Finance Minister Nirmala bate against government signing a proposed trade deal Sitharaman also announced Kisan Rail and Kisan Udan called RCEP which was finally put into the back burn- -- the train and flight services dedicated for farmers. er, argued that the BT crop giant Monsanto has al- With SJM making a strong case for farmers, the ready charged Rs 7000 crore from farmers. Centre is faced with a tricky situation. "Monsanto company (now Bayer) had been https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/rss-wing-writes-to-minister-on-bt-cotton/1746800 charging exorbitant price of cotton seeds in the name of Bt 2 trait, exploiting our poor farmers and had Coronavirus outbreak in China collected more than Rs 7,000 crore from them, be- an opportunity for India to fore Cotton Seeds Price (Control) Order 2015 came reduce reliance on China: SJM into being," letter says. The crippling effects of the deadly coronavirus As per SJM the patent itself is questionable which outbreak in China presents an opportunity for India was challenged at multiple forums, even that patent has to narrow its massive fiscal deficit with China, point- allegedly expired and, most importantly, the premium ed out by Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) in New Del- is charged from farmers with the claim that worms or hi. Its high time that we realise that too much depen- insects cannot trouble this cotton''s plantation has also dence on other countries for business is not a very been found to be false. "As IN214436 patent which is the underlying patent for BG-II version of Bt Cotton hybrid seeds has expired, the trait value for BG-II version of Bt Cotton hybrid seeds should also be considered as zero, like in the case of BG-I version, while fixing the sale price for BG-II version", says letter. Earlier, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in its Cotton Seeds Price (Control) Order, 2015, abolished the controversial trait value of BG-I version of Bt Cotton hybrids. 34 News wise thing to do. The country must ensure that we panies could benefit. But we are seeing now that In- become self-reliant in crucial matters such as food dian stents are as good as the foreign ones," pointed security, healthcare. When it comes to China, we can't out SJM. He complained that China had also "ru- really rely on them economically since they have threat- ined" India's e-rickshaw and other industries by dump- ened India's national security, Mahajan told India TV ing products and materials in the country over recent on the sidelines of an event on coronavirus, organ- years. One per cent of global GDP set to be affected ised by Russian news agency Sputnik. by coronavirus. The total economic loss due to coro- The remarks by SJM come as the fallout of the navirus will be to the tune of $500 billion, roughly COVID-19 outbreak in China threatens the global translating into one per cent of the global GDP, said supply chains. Indian companies, which had been Viktorya Perskaya, Director of the Centre for the Study sourcing raw material from China, have expressed of International Economic Relations, Financial Univer- concern over disruption in supplies. sity under the Government of Russian Federation. "We are appealing to the government to check Highlighting that China had emerged as a major the nation's economic dependence on China," he said, competitor to the US in recent years, Sergei Louisian- referring to India's ballooning trade deficit with the in said from Moscow that the Chinese economy had world's second-largest economy. According to a gov- come under great strain due to the outbreak. ernment statistic, India imports goods worth $70 bil- “As per an estimate, the Chinese GDP will de- lion from China, while exporting only goods worth celerate to 4.9 per cent. The ongoing trade negotia- $17 billion in comparison. tions with the US, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Citing the situation in India's thriving pharmaceu- as well as tech companies such as Huawei’s business tical industry, SJM said the Centre must work towards interests also stand to be affected,” said Louisianin. reversing the trend of importing raw material from The Russia-based panel was joined by Dr Ma- China. "Today, we are importing 90 per cent of the hajan, Dr Ajai Sahai, the Director-General and CEO raw materials, including Active Pharmaceutical Ingre- at Federation of Indian Exports Organisation and dients (APIs) from China. But there was a time when Anuradha Chenoy, the former dean at the School of we used to source most of the raw material for the International Studies at the Jawaharlal Nehru Univer- industry domestically. There is no reason to believe that sity (JNU) in New Delhi. we can't go back on being self-reliant," SJM said. “The fallout of the outbreak is no longer con- "Our organisation is in touch with private play- fined to China and will have an overall effect on glo- ers. Many of them are also of the opinion that our bal trade. While almost every country engaged in trade industry must rise up to the occasion and produce with China is bound to be hit, the south-east Asian APIs at home," revealed SJM. When asked about the economies are particularly vulnerable,” said Sahai. recent demand by Indian medical manufacturers to “As far as India is concerned, the impact on the remove the ban on exporting face masks to China, the supply chain is significant. China is a leading trade part- economist replied that if there were a surplus, then the ner of India and we have all the reasons to be upset,” government should relax the export controls. The ban SJM added. Anuradha Chenoy complained that China was ordered in the wake of spurt in demand for masks must abstain from suppressing information about the in China after the surfacing of the new coronavirus in magnitude of the virus, amid reports that Beijing had China in December last year. While the Director-Gen- been detaining whistle-blowers who have dared to ques- eral of Foreign Trade revoked the export restrictions tion the government’s claims over the last month or so. on gloves and surgical masks on Feb 8, the ban on the https://www.indiatvnews.com/business/news-coronavirus-outbreak-in-china-an-opportunity-for-india-to-reduce- reliance-on-china-ashwani-mahajan-swadeshi-jagran-manch-590800 export of N95 respirator masks remain in place. "We believe that this is a really good opportunity Don't see any trade deal with the for domestic manufacturers of medical equipment US in near future: SJM to capitalise on the disruption and move towards in- digenisation. The government should bolster the glo- Swadeshi Jagran Manch national co-convenor bal standing of the industry," SJM said. Ashwani Mahajan while calling the US President “Countries such as America want the price con- Donald Trump an important ally of India claimed trols on stent devices to be removed so that their com- that the much-anticipated trade deal with the US may 35 News not see the light of the day even in near future. Mahajan said there are so many unresolved is- sues with the US on the trade front that any trade agreement seems to be a remote possibility. While welcoming Trump to India, SJM co-convenor said, "We welcome Trump in our country. I don't think there is going to be any trade deal per se as has been talked about in the past." "There are so many issues regarding dairy, agri- culture, medical equipment and IPR. There are previ- However, opposition within India to any trade ous concerns as well. For the past so many years these deal whatsoever has been rising in the lead-up to the issues are pending and I don't think in the near future President’s visit, with opposition Congress’ concerns there can be any trade deal with the US," he added. being seconded by a farmers’ organisations, RSS-af- He stated that India had learnt to live without being filiated think tank Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) and beneficiary of the Generalised System of Preferences other industry bodies. which is a unilateral and now reciprocal benefit scheme "India has been reduced to a lowly buyer state extended by the US to various countries. from a strategic Partner. India has no role in Afghan "The US has got no legitimacy to discuss the GSP Peace Process," former Union Minister Manish Tew- as it was a unilateral decision on concessions available ari commented on Sunday, adding that only big de- to India and was withdrawn for India, " stated Ma- fence manufacturers’ such as Boeing's, Lockheed hajan. Acknowledging that the US is vital to maintain a Martin's and General Atomics. balance as China too is a strong player, Mahajan said Swadeshi Jagran Manch has also cautioned the that India is dictating terms from a strong position. Centre against reducing tariffs on dairy products at "We find that the US is saying that India is not the insistence of the US President, alleging that such a falling in line with its line on the trade deals. There decision could spell doom for Indian poultry farm- may be defence deals and the purchase of equipment ers. Significantly, the SJM was at the forefront of a is decided by the government on the basis of require- campaign last year against the Regional Comprehen- ments. On trade deal part, from RCEP days to date, sive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which had been Indian govt is taking a tough stand," he added. While endorsed by Centre but didn't see the light of the day President Trump has made a commitment to fight due to concerns of domestic farmers and business. Islamic terrorism, India too is hopeful of containing Peak body Poultry Federation of India highlight- terrorism. "India and the US have been a victim of ed with concern that reaching any understanding with terrorism. Coming together of both countries is bad the US could affect a $100 million domestic ecosys- news for terrorists and good new for peace lovers, " tem which supports four crore jobs. stated Mahajan. (ANI) From the ruling party quarters, Bharatiya Janata https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/politics/887219-dont-see-any-trade-deal-with-the-us-in-near-future-says- Party MP Subramanian Swamy has also taken the rss-affiliate pledge of an impeding trade deal with a hint of salt. In NUMBERS: Is a trade deal with In significant remarks delivered at an event in Bhu- the US in India’s national interest? baneswar on Sunday, Swamy highlighted that the US President was in India to boost the American econo- As US President Donald Trump delivered his my and "not ours." maiden address in India, in front of a massive crowd "He has come to boost his economy and not at Ahmedabad’s Motera Stadium, a trade deal with ours. So I do not see any benefit to our country," India played big on the mind of the US President. Swamy was quoted as saying in Press Trust of India “Prime Minister Modi and I will be making some (PTI). "There may be some defence agreements. That very big trade deal to boost our countries’ econo- will also boost his country. Above all, we are paying mies. I am sure that we can reach a good trade, but for the defence equipments..." the Rajya Sabha MP PM Modi is a tough negotiator,” the US President reportedly said. said during his speech in Ahmedabad. https://www.indiatvnews.com/business/news-in-numbers-is-a-trade-deal-with-the-us-in-india-s-national-interest- donald-trump-visit-591990 36 News

‘FDI in education will bring down nomic development and trade and industry will also flourish,” he said. Ashwin Mehadia in his opening re- standards’ marks said that NVCC is always giving priority to safeguard the interest of traders. “When we felt Gov- ernment policies were against the interest of the trad- ers, we have opposed it tooth and nail. Increase in Import Duty in the Union Budget is a welcome move,” Mehadia said. Also present on the occasion were advocate Sanjay Agrawal, Vice-Presi- dent, Ramavtar Totla, Secretary, Raju Makhija, PRO, Narayan Toshniwal, Rajesh Aohari, Shankar Sughandh, advocate Nikhil Agrawal, Rajesh Lakhotiya, Sandesh THE Government in its Union Budget had tak- Kanoje, Sanjay Nabira of NVCC. Sirish Tare, Pravin en proper measures which will encourage fisheries, Mase, Dhananjay Bhende, Rajiv Kshirsagar, Anita Patki gardening and other non-agricultural sector to increase of Swadeshi Jagran Manch. Swarnima Sinha, Jyoti rural employment, said Dr Ashwini Mahajan, Profes- Awasti, Archana Rastogi from team CAIT and other sor at Delhi University and All India Joint Convenor members in large numbers. of Swadeshi Jagran Manch. Dr Mahajan was speak- https://www.thehitavada.com/Encyc/2020/2/21/-FDI-in-education-will-bring-down-standards-.html ing as a keynote speaker on the topic ‘Present Eco- Swadeshi Sandesh Yatra nomic Scenario’ organised by Nag Vidarbha Cham- ber of Commerce (NVCC) recenlty. organised at Guntur Also present on the occasion were Ajay Patki, National Convenor of Swadeshi Jagran Manch, Ash- win Mehadia, President of NVCC, B C Bhartia, Na- tional President of CAIT, Gopal Agrawal, Chairman of Team CAIT Nagpur, Kishore Dharashivkar, Pres- ident of Team CAIT, Nagpur, Arjundas Ahuja, Vice- President of NVCC, Sachin Punyani, Treasurer of NVCC, Swapnil Ahirkar, Joint Secretary of NVCC and others. Dr Mahajan said that the previous Gov- ernment’s policy of free trade, Import Duty was re- duce on foreign goods and flood of foreign goods Guntur: Swadeshi Jagaran Manch activists took was noticed in the country. out a Swadeshi Sandesh Yatra here on Sunday to co- “In last 20 years, our trade loss due to foreign incide with the twoday state-level conference on Feb- goods had increased to 30 per cent,” Dr Mahajan ruary 15 and 16. The procession which started at Sri said. He also added that due to such policy small trade Venkateshwara Vignana Mandiram passed through started decline and even the manufacturing also de- Naaz Centre, Kothapet, Zinna Centre and reached creased. “In order to stop the inflow of foreign goods, Sri Venkateswara Vignana Mandiram. the present Government has increased Import Duty, The activists took out rally to create awareness Anti-Dumping Duty which combinedly has improved on need to use local products. Swadeshi Jagran Manch electronic, chemical and other products. It is a wel- national convener R. Sundaram stressed on need to come move by the Government,” he said. At the same encourage the use of domestic products. He alleged time, he opposed the Government move in bringing that foreign companies are trying to do cultivation in FDI in educational sector. our country to make a fast buck and urged the peo- “FDI in education will bring down the educa- ple to oppose it. He felt that there is need to develop tion standards,” he pointed out. B C Bhartia said that the country with own investments instead of foreign the aim of Swadeshi Jagran Manch was to promote investments. He recalled that Indian family system has indigenous trade and protect the Indian tradition. “The a special recognition in the world countries. more we use Indian goods, we will have more eco- https://www.thehansindia.com/andhra-pradesh/swadeshi-sandesh-yatra-organised-at-guntur-605617 37 SJM Activities

The Hon'ble Minister of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Government of India, New Delhi.

Subject: Non-applicability of trait value for Bollgard-II Cotton Plant varieties on account of Expiry of patent IN 214436 on 04th November 2019 under the Cotton Seeds Price (Control) Order, 2019 -regarding

Respected NS Tomar Ji, As you may be aware that Monsanto company (now Bayer) had been charging ex- orbitant price of cotton seeds in the name of Bt 2 trait, exploiting our poor farmers and had collected more than Rs. 7000 crores from them, before Cotton Seeds Price (Control) Order 2015 came into being. In our earlier letter dated March1, 2019, to your office, we had represented to the Ministry that the trait value for Bt2 trait should be removed since it is not working any more for the Pink Bollworm. The Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR) reports and the Press reports have made it clear. It has repeatedly conceded by the Ministry that Bt 2 trait has not been working for Pink Bollworm and there was no justification for charging trait value of any amount, against the interests of the farmers. After our letter to your office, Ministry of Agriculture reduced the trait value for B2trait, from Rs 39 per packet of 450 grams to Rs. 20 per packet. The Monsanto has irresponsibly been collecting trait value based on the orders issued under the Cotton Seeds Price (Control) Order, 2015 since 2016 though the trait is not working. The trait value for Bt Cotton hybrid seeds as per the Cotton Seeds Price (Control) Order,2015, issued by Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare for BG-I version of Bt Cotton hybrids had been declared "zero", as the BG-I version of the trait did not have patent in India. The details on the same are mentioned in the minutes of Price Control Committee meeting held on 24-2-2016 under the chairmanship of JS (Seeds) and Controller. The minutes also mention BG-II version of Bt Cotton hybrids as BG-II technol- ogy is patented in India and therefore trait value is applicable for them. In this context it is to bring to your kind notice that the Indian Patent IN 214436, (which had been challenged at several forums being illegal), under which MMBL had been claiming patent rights before various forums, including the courts and the Central and State Governments, over the BG-II version of Bt Cotton hybrid seeds, has expired on 4th November 2019. At this point we wish to state that as per Amended Indian Patent Act 1970, seeds, plants and lives cannot be patented, and the claimed patent is subject to judicial scrutiny. As IN214436 patent which is the underlying patent for BG-II version of Bt Cotton hybrid seeds has expired, the trait value for BG-II version of Bt Cotton hybrid seeds should also be considered as zero, like in the case of BG-I version, while fixing the sale price for BG-II version as per due process. Therefore the Price Control Order for 2020-21 to be issued under CSPCO 2015, may consider the same to declare trait value for BG-II also as NIL, while taking up fixation of the Bt Cotton hybrid seed prices for 2020. Since the price fixation for 2019-20 is currently in motion, we are bringing this to your kind notice for appropriate action. Thanking you, Yours sincerely, Dr. Ashwani Mahajan All India Co-convener 38 39 40