WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014 DAILY EXCELSIOR, daily Excelsior The Master Established 1965 Why India needs a stable Govt M.J. Akbar Founder Editor S.D. Rohmetra Col J P Singh, Retd statement. He himself has been part of hopes are high that a stable govt and hushwant Singh was never a journal- ist's journalist; he was an author's jour- UPAI & II. He has been through the con- strong leadership will pull the nation out nalist. He brought the narrative sweep s the polling nears, spectre of tradictions in coalition and consequent of economic sloth and tackle corruption, K hung Parliament appears. If we of an artistic temperament to periodical writ- CAPD a culprit or a victim effects on governance. He has also seen insecurity, inflation and joblessness look back at the last election, the ing. He was already a phenomenon as a novel- A the world and sleepy China galloping effectively. Hence it is a paramount obli- fear of hotch-potch Govt at the centre in ist with Train to Pakistan when he was invited onsumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) towards growth at an unprecedented gation of BJP to come out of communal 2009 actually worked in favour of UPA. to become editor of the Illustrated Weekly of Department has again failed to provide normal pace. Though difficult to dissect his mindset and adopt a realistic economic The fear of a patch up coalition that India, a flagship publication of the Times of quota of ration to the people in both APL and genius mind, yet my understanding con- agenda to attract voters for giving it a C could not have given a good Govt India group. But the ship had stalled on con- BPL categories. In justification of sudden acute short- pushed the fence sitter to vote for Con- siders it Indian predominant role, if we stable govt. India's electoral landscape ventional design, born of a mindset that was age of supply of essential commodities, rice, atta and gress giving it 206 seats and legitimacy want, in the 21st Century which the from North to South and East and West still marooned in the British Raj. sugar for public consumption to the depot holders both to head a coalition. Such apprehensions economists have granted to Asia. It is with nationalist spread, which Congress One wonders if those who made him editor were fully aware of the conse- abound this time too but it favouring time that India becomes a useful partner enjoys, is fading. The vacuum can be quences. Khushwant, week after illustrative week, became a shredding machine in urban and rural areas, the plea advanced is non- in this phenomenon of Asian develop- filled by the BJP should it get a chance. release of funds by the Finance Department. Ordinary descending Congress is unthinkable. of convention. There must have been a few men at the top of the Times who Congress led UPA II is marred with ment. Economists assigned 19th Centu- Veteran journalist Vinod Mehta of were bewildered by his radicalism. But Khushwant never took seriously anyone people are the sufferers. March is almost gone and yet plethora of wrong doings. It got stric- ry to Europe, 20th to West and 21st to Outlook, an extremely vocal Modi who took himself too seriously. He was a sworn enemy of pomp, and defined the supply situation has not improved across the State. tures from judiciary and constitutional Asia. For Asia to grow economically, detractor says that writing on the wall is his own circumstance. No other editor would dare to enter office wearing a tow- We are not giving the statistics about what are the bodies all the way during its rule. Pub- strong and stable govts in Asian democ- clear, in capital letters, "Modi will lead el-cloth T-shirt. It was a cultural shock. He carried off his insouciance with requirements and what is the supply position in each lic resentment against the govt grew racies are essential. China is leading in an NDA govt on May 16. Only divine aplomb. Any and all opposition was silenced by the most powerful weapon in district of Jammu region and also in region. high when Anna Hazare fasted and led growth and governance. We have no intervention can stop him". NDTV sur- an editor's armoury, the reader. The circulation rose with the majesty of a phoenix. choice but to be on its heels to play a vey conducted through Hansa Research These figures are disclosed by the department con- an anti corruption agitation in the capi- If fiction is about contemporary life then journalism is about temporary real- tal. Congress looked to be losing will to constructive role in the Asian phenom- Group places NDA at 281. Another not- ities. Khushwant Singh traversed the distance without a hiccup because he cerned. The point is that the Minister for CAPD admits govern after covering half the way. enon. That is probably what President ed journalist, author and former Con- laughed at the thought of being trapped in any ivory tower. He much preferred, that this is not the first occasion when owing to non Coming under attacks, it became defen- meant by signalling stable Govt. Should gress MP M J Akbar says 'Modi's lead- as the iconic illustration above his column confirmed, life in a light bulb. Mario, availability of funds the department could not lift food sive and ineffective. The net result was we have one more ineffective coalition ership is essential for the country'. Com- that inspired artist and cartoonist, drew that brilliant image, with its friendly- grains from the stores of FCI and hence this has result- dithering leadership, deserting partners, like UPA II, Asian phenomenon will be ing from renowned journalists and mischievous grin, which defined Khushwant Singh to millions. ed in a mess. rising inflation, corruption and skewed in China leaving us where we are today. reputed national channel confirms A bulb is a familiar symbol of an idea. Khushwant preferred ideas to any ide- Late release of funds is the patent pretext to legit- development. Hence it becomes clear to me that if we Modi's acceptance. ology. He was, in a sense, profoundly non-ideological. He thought the Left, which have to become an Asian power, we have imise delay, in efficiency and non-seriousness of the Having gone through similar situa- With entry of 'Chai Pe Charcha', was the intellectual fashion of the age, was inherently antagonistic to individual tions in the past, public lost faith in the to have a strong and stable Govt at the Modi is the topic of discussion every- liberty, which he prized above all else, because of its doctrinaire traps. He saw department concerned in providing food grains to peo- weak kneed Govt. Hence strong leader- centre. When I look around, I find that where. NDTV anchor Barkha Dutt' s doctrine as a casket, fit for a graveyard. And the right was too strident for his ple without interruption. The department says that ship and stable govt became the politi- it is BJP alone today which can provide 'tea talk' is being replicated in the road tastes. He wandered around the productive middle, taking positions on merit. delays have always been happening during March and cal buzz word. Today strong Govt is a stable Govt with strong leadership. I side tea stalls. Disagree if you may, but This did not make him non-partisan, as anyone who knows anything about April each year. If it is so, why did not the department considered as one of the pre-conditions am sure the economists will interpret it in every social, informal, religious and the man who dragged Indian journalism into the 20th century will confirm. His take adequate steps to remove the lacuna? Why should for all round development. A weak and more lucidly than me. To apply it to Indi- obituary functions, politics is discussed most famous display of bias was towards Mrs Indira Gandhi. In 1971, when Mrs meek coalition or a front can stymie pol- the consumers suffer year after year and face the trau- an reality, they must educate public. where Modi invariably takes the centre Gandhi was the nation's heroine, this was unexceptionable. In fact, he was just icy decisions and impair institutions of Given anti UPA mood and anger stage. Even where there is no BJP, there one of a crowd when Mrs Gandhi first liberated Congress from a morbid old ma of non availability of food grains? We remember governance. If a strong leader does not against the Congress, a coalition led by is extreme thirst for good governance. guard, and then helped liberate Bangladesh from Pakistan with a marvellous dis- that during the pre-independence period, Food Supplies head a stable Govt at Delhi after this Congress is unthinkable. CPM's initia- This is what unites voters and cuts play of tough, bold leadership. But to do so in 1975, when she imposed an Emer- Department was considered among the most efficient election, we will hear the same story of tives on the formation of Third Front, across traditional divide such as party, gency, imprisoned opposition leaders and ordered censorship of the press, required and honest departments of the civil administration in the corruption and indecisiveness again and Mamta's initiative of Federal Front and loyalty beyond belief. The shock was that a libertarian like Khushwant Singh veteran anti corruption crusader Anna caste, religion or region. Only voters State. It has lost its thrust, efficiency and vision. There Kejriwals's anti Congress and anti BJP should become an advocate of dictatorship. His own explanations were hopeless- will not be able to rescue us any more. apprehensive of BJP and not yet decid- Front were doing the rounds in the ly weak, when he cared to offer them, but he was relentless in his support. are other reasons also which account for FCI not allow- It will be now or never because of vari- ed are the Muslim but most of them are recent past. The idea of pre poll 11 par- The only excuse, if there is one, was that he was contrarian. If there was a ing on account supplies to the State. A huge amount is ous reasons considered here. disillusioned with the Congress. Minor- ty Third Front ran into rough weathers tide in human affairs that, when taken in flood, led on to fortune, Khushwant still outstanding against the State in the books of Food On the eve of this year's Republic ity also sees Modi representing good with AIADMK, AGP and BJD opting would catch the opposite current. I don't think he would have made such a pub- Corporation of India. It is for the failure of the CAPD to Day address, the President of India, Govt as seen in Gujarat which has gen- out and the Federal Front tumbled after lic fetish out of Scotch whisky if Mumbai, where he lived during his Weekly without naming any party or leader said erated economic growth and job oppor- clear the balance payment which has forced the FCI to Anna Hazare's absence from Mamta years, did not have prohibition. If drinking had been legal, he might even have refuse giving food stuff to the department on credit. that winning election does not give one tunities and that is their aspiration as Banerjee's 12th March Ram Lila Maid- well. Electorate is looking into the become a teetotaller. His fertile views on love and sex were a little more com- Nearly a hundred crore rupees are still outstanding with licence to flirt with illusions. Populist an rally. Kejriwal's chaotic diatribes future. Identity is losing ground to the plicated but here too one major impulse was to tweak the Victorian prudery that anarchy, he said, is no substitute to gov- against every one else is slowing his the department. The CAPD should set up an enquiry economics. When Modi talks of devel- so dominated the thinking of "respectable" Indians. ernance and added that govts are not momentum particularly after failing to The worldwide youth movement of the 1960s, in which the young brandished committee to examine why huge amount is still unpaid? opment it makes sense because he has charity shops and false promises breed become joint opposition candidate in a molotov cocktail in Paris, and a marijuana cigarette in California, came to India As far as the delay caused by the Finance delivered it in Gujarat. He thus fits in disillusionment which further breed Varanasi. These are few example of oth- in the early 1970s, in precisely those years when the Weekly began to climb the Department in releasing the funds to CAPD is con- Indian and Asian growth phenomenon. rage targeted at the people who are in ers falling even before standing and charts. This was not accidental. Khushwant Singh became the rebel that Indian One thing which is hitherto standing cerned, this matter should have been resolved by the power. He exhorted voters to vote Modi not only surviving but thriving middle class youth were looking for, the writer who admired Mahatma Gandhi out in the BJP election campaign is mel- secretaries of the two organizations at their official level. responsibly in the coming general elec- too. Even though political pundits have without recognising the rules of a Gandhi ashram. lowing down of communalism rhetoric. On the face of it, there should not have been any sound tion and elect a Govt which can provide written off Congress but some regional Khushwant Singh believed in the young, and in young journalists, to an extent reason for infighting within the departments. In a demo- stability. He cautioned that a fractured satraps are betting on it. They still talk Seeing the new aspirational mood of the that would have been remarkable in any age, but was positively insurrectionist nation, youths in particular, Modi has cratic set up, understanding has to be developed espe- mandate could be catastrophic. Most of of going with the secular forces and con- in 1970 and 1971. The media hierarchy left those on the first rung of the ladder the speech of the widely respected suitably modified his script which is cially in very sensitive matters that pertain to the inter- tinue holding ground. Thus the overall scratching around for years. Khushwant lifted them to the top with a carefree statesman President was 'rap on the spectre of a fragmented electoral verdict more suggestive of development, good ests of general public. It is something only short of a mir- shrug, but with a very, very careful eye on the copy they submitted. I have no knuckles' of those leaders who spread portends bad days and revitalises seri- governance and nationalism. By re- idea what life would have had in store for me if Khushwant, and his wonderful acle that there has not been any mass protest against disenchantment in the society and at the ous thinking. Anything can happen in branding BJP as pro development, he deputy editor Fatma Zakaria, had not offered me the chance that changed my the fragile position of civil supplies in all the three regions same time a wise counsel for the rest of Indian politics. Ambitions of regional has attracted secular allies which bright- fortunes. But this I do know: what they did was enough to command a lifetime's of the State. From what we learn of the ground situation, us. leaders and inability of Congress to be en chances of stability. India needs sta- gratitude. hardly 35 per cent of supplies have been made and the Since Presidents address was direct- a serious contender leaves BJPfar ahead bility not for BJP, Modi or Rajnath but Khushwant Singh was The Master. He pretended not to believe in God, but condition of most of the districts especially those of ed at you and me, I scratched my head of others in the race for 7 Race Course for economic power and prosperity. Let I do fancy that God certainly believed in him. Khushwant Singh was among the us give it a trial. , , Udhampur, Doda, and to understand the deep meaning in his Road. With the economy in trouble, chosen. After 99 years of happy turbulence, his soul now rests in peace. and some in Kashmir region is almost critical. Officials have conceded that against the full quota of 57000 qtl APL rice quota in Jammu province, just 19000 qtl was made available in March. Again against 42000 qtl rice Task Force on development of Jammu region quota of BPL category, just 28000 qtl was released and for AAY category just 12000 qtl out of 19000 qtl was pro- Gautam Sen adequate drinking water and sol- priately included important local people by tapping the sion which varied from Rs. 6600 in its report that, implementing id waste management; augmen- infrastructural projects like: proven potential of the State. crs. to Rs. 7300 crs. over the and monitoring aspects are an vided. According to our information, the situation is not ovt. of India had consti- tation of tourism facilities and expansion and up-gradation of Skill building and vocational years (2011-12) to (2013-14). integral part of the overall focus. likely to ease much in April as well. tuted a Special Task ensuring proper accessibility to Jammu airport serving virtually training of youth and supportive While adequate utilization of Not only in respect of Jammu & As already said there is no serious reason for delay- GForce to examine the the spots; support for projects as a gateway to the region; ventures to employ the trained Plan grants and Normal and Spe- Kashmir Govt., but also in regard developmental needs of Jammu ing release of funds enabling the CAPD lift food grains which can generate viable expansion of the General Bus- youth, seemed to be the only cial Central Assistance funds by to schemes of many other State region (STFJ) of the State of Jam- employment; measures to over- Stand at Jammu; five short-ges- areas not specifically included in the Govt. of Jammu & Kashmir, Govts. as well as the Central in time. But there is non-seriousness and lack of vision mu & Kashmir in October 2010. come problems in respect of tation road connectivity projects the package. If efficiently exe- have been an issue before the Govt., these aspects are not giv- at various levels. There is no complaint of shortage of The STFJ, headed by Dr. Abhijit health and education infrastruc- like preliminary work on the Pati cuted under proper monitoring Central Govt., it was however en due attention. Substantial funds; there is the complaint of release of funds at prop- Sen, Member, Planning Com- ture in areas of low population Mahal Dachan Road to facilitate oversight, outcomes envisaged not fair on the part of the latter to mismatch between progress in mission of India, with Dr. Najeeb er time. That is simply administrative matter and should density; and improving the over- implementation of the 1000 should be obtainable in the near avoid earmarking specific allo- physical-material activities and Jung, Vice Chancellor of Jamia all power supply. While taking megawatt Pakal Dul hydroelec- future. cation for the STFJ package. concomitant expenditure, is an be resolved in advance. Also there is the need of plan- Millia Islamia University, Dr cognizance of the fact that, a fair tric project in ; an While the manifest objec- Resource management and mon- universal phenomenon in the ning. FCI must have reasons to stop allowing lifting of Amaresh Dubey, Economist and amount of development in these all-weather road from Ramnagar tive and recommendations of the itoring problems exist with the Indian governmental systems. food grains on credit, something from which it has devi- senior officers of Central Home functional areas was already tak- town to remote backward areas, STFJ were prima facie laudable State Govt. as evident from its The fate of the STFJ-recom- ated now. Those reasons should be probed into and a and Finance Ministries as mem- ing place under the Prime Minis- earlier militancy affected, of from a macro politico-economic failure to utilize the PMRPfunds mended projects has not been bers, had submitted its report to solution found. Intervention of contractors has to be reg- ter`s Reconstruction Plan Dudu Basantgarh and Latti; an perspective, some questions may on schedule, and slow pace of any different. It is therefore the Central Govt. in February (PMRP), and also through State- essential second bridge at arise as to whether the STFJ went expenditure from the 13th essential that Govt. of India, ulated in a manner that monopolisation of grinding the 2011. The STFJ was the outcome specific grants amounting to Rs. Rajouri town on Chenab River beyond its call of duty to just rec- Finance Commission devolved through its Ministry of Home wheat into flour is put to an end. There are so many of a review by Prime Minister, 125 crs. provided by the 13th to ensure easier access beyond ommend a shelf of projects, with- state-specific grants. Neverthe- Affairs (MHA ) set up a proper loopholes and bottlenecks in the system, which need to Dr. Manmohan Singh on Sep- Finance Commission targetted the town further north and west out analyzing the very impera- less, the entire approach towards institutionalized mechanism to be removed. tember 25, 2010 in the backdrop for Jammu, the STFJ had identi- and; proper approach roads to tives and policies of the State the STFJ projects and their monitor these projects in concert of political demands from differ- fied a number of short-duration Railway Station and the Govt., which lead to the sense of implementation had taken on a with the State Govt. ent quarters in Jammu & Kash- discrete projects which could new degree college at Kundi alienation among the local peo- unique dimension of being virtu- Had the panchayats duly Drug mafia on boost mir, and also from some politi- have a multiplier effect towards Karol Ramban. The package also ple south of the Pirpanjals. ally Centrally-sponsored but elected nearly three years ago, cians and public persons outside promoting better livelihood, had projects for strengthening of Another lacuna was that, neither State Govt.-funded venture, and other local self-governing report of the Home Department giving figures of the State, on so-called discrimi- realizing the tourism potential tourist facilities, expansion of the STFJ recommended nor instead of being like normal institutions, been suitably narcotic trafficking in the State during five years nation towards Jammu region in and removing the sense of alien- water supply and solid waste Govt. of India or Planning Com- Centrally- sponsored schemes empowered and brought within (2009 - 2013) gives shocking picture of drug pro- matters of development funding ation felt by the people of Jam- management arrangements at mission explicitly committed, funded on the accepted Gadgil an oversight-cum-monitoring A from State and Central resources. liferation among the youth. The quantity of narcotic mu region. The STJF selected 28 many places in the region, the any additional funding for the formula wherein, Special-Cate- framework vis-à-vis the STFJ The negative public perception projects with total outlay of Rs. most notable being the water STFJ package. The State Govt. gory States like Jammu & Kash- projects, public confidence drugs seized during the period is computed at 968 qtls in of the State, 738.13 crs., for priority execu- supply scheme for Katra pilgrim consequently faced a financial mir are entitled to get 90% fund- could have been instilled on the plus 7 lakh intoxicants. The narcotics include almost all had got accentuated on the step- tion, on the premise that early town providing for 13.20 lakh handicap to fund these projects ing support from the Centre as governmental efforts to remove known varieties like heroine, brown sugar, opium and motherly treatment issue, as a visible outcomes could be gallons of water per day and owing to negative BCRs ( bal- grant and 10% as loan. grievances of Jammu region. charas. Yearly graph of seizures shows that these have fall-out of the massive public expected from them. The STFJ expected to be adequate till 2040. ance from current revenues The State Govt. has report- This has not happened. It is there- upsurge in the region during the finally recommended Govt. Mini Secretariats in the districts which denotes available receipts ed a total expenditure of Rs. fore doubtful whether the pur- been on gradual increase. We do not have the figures Amarnath agitation during July- acceptance of a total outlay of Rs. of Rajouri, Poonch and Doda are of the State Govt. minus Central 238.48 crs. till October 2013 on pose of the STFJ would have of narcotic drugs that have escaped the searching eye September 2008. The STFJ was 496.63 crs. for these 28 projects also part of the package, and assistance to finance develop- the STFJ projects, and still many been served with the institution- of the police. The ever increasing quantities of these mandated to examine the alloca- ( against total estimated cost of these should help bring the ment). The State Govt. had nev- of them are to be completed. Out- al shortcomings in the imple- drugs show that the demand is not dwindling but tion to the region in terms of Rs. 738.13 crs. projected by the administration in many function- ertheless started implementing comes from these investments mentation process and hiatus in increasing, and the youth of the State are the users of infrastructure needs and convey State Govt.) and implementation al matters, closer to the local peo- all the 28 STFJ projects. can therefore be expected at least the matter of public participation recommendations to overcome on priority during (2011-12) and ple. The priorities of the STFJ, The Central Govt., eventu- a year or two later. Cost escala- and oversight. drugs. the deficiencies. (2012-13). The package of Rs. seem to be alright to the extent ally did not release any addition- tion owing to delayed implemen- (The author is a former Addition- Drug addiction is proliferating among the youth and The STFJ report had stat- 496.63 crs. was recommended that investment was planned to al allocation and, perforce the tation partially attributable to al Controller General of Defence this is becoming a big problem for the State. The boys ed that, the broad needs encom- reckoning the capacity of the have a multiplier effect on eco- State Govt. has been implement- fund constraint, will invariably Accounts of Govt. of India, presently and girls of higher strata of society are reportedly passed: better connectivity State Govt. for implementation nomic activities within the ing within the normal State Plan imply lesser outcomes than working as Adviser (Finance) to Govt. becoming easy victims of drug peddlers because they through roads, bridges including and fund absorption. region, and lead to more income outlay ( minus the PMRP) could have been obtainable. The of Nagaland. The author has served in air connectivity; provision of The STFJ package appro- generating opportunities for the assigned by Planning Commis- STFJ had correctly emphasized Jammu & Kashmir during 2008-10.) have money and can afford it easily. But with improve- ment of economic position of the people, now even the youth coming from middle class are also getting addict- Martyrdom Day No let up in suicides One rank, one pension ed to drugs. Curiously, conviction of drug peddlers is far less that those arrested. During the period between Sir, Sir, Sir, By granting one rank, one pension, Release DA arrears 2009 to 2013, a total of 93 drug-smugglers/peddlers Our freedom fighters who laid down their lives for us seem to have These seems no let up in suicide cases in the Govt has indeed fulfilled long cher- were convicted under the NDPSA but during this period been confined just to an advertisement. People seem to have forgotten the State. The two divisions -- Jammu and ished demand of millions of ex-service- Sir, the number of acquittals was 840 and this situation not them forever, if we go by the way we observe their Martyrdom Day. Kashmir continue to face this reality. Almost men, feeling gross injustice in terms of We, the pensioners request Finance Min- only puts State Police in the dock but also raises eye- Media whether print or electronic does not have space and time for every day one or two suicide incidents are pensionary benefits. ister that six percent DA arrears from Janu- brows about those who conducted investigation into the them. No write-ups in newspapers or features are telecast on those who reported. The victims mostly include women Removal of disparity of such nature, sacrificed their lives to see us live with dignity and freedom. It is only and teens. The social scientists, psychologists ary to June 2009 have been with-held with- cases which culminated in acquittals. A total of 121 drug obviously boosts morale of those who through advertisements issued by the Ministry of Information and religious preachers and statesmen should think out assigning any logical reason causing never budged an inch to face bullets on smugglers/peddlers were acquitted in 2009 while as the Broadcasting, Government of India that we remember them and pay over the issue seriously. The society cannot resentment among pensioners. The Finance number of acquittals was 88 in 2010. In 2011, a total of homage. Our freedom fighters were not merely human beings in blood afford such incidents as it will have serious their chests and exhibited unshaking Minister is an experienced hand and knows 125 smugglers were acquitted while as 237 persons and flesh but they were extra-ordinary people. They were symbols of consequence on it. As it has become a daily sense of sacrifice both in peace and war. the pulse of the people. The Minister has were acquitted by the courts because of faulty investi- courage, conviction, sacrifice, patriotism and bravery. They have suf- phenomenon, the issue needs to debated and No nation can progress and prosper until always been sympathetic to the senior citi- gations in 2012. fered innumerable hardships during their life time. They have sacrificed discussed at various levels by social scientist it is militarily powerful and therefore, zens/ pensioners. This withholding of six Drug trafficking has become a nuisance and since it their joys, so that we may not live in sorrow. They have suffered humil- so that causes which are responsible for it are welfare even of those who aren't on month arrear that too of 2009 is a riddle and involved enormous monies, narcotic traffickers become iation so that we live with dignity. known and a policy is framed to counter this active service, deserve to be taken care mystery. The pensioners sentiments have of. Extension of happiness and gratitude millionaire overnight and thus disrupt the equilibrium of As citizens of this country, we should not only pay them homage phenomenon. been hurt and need immediate attention of but live their ideals too. In case we continue to ignore it will create for okaying OROPto these old warriors, society's economic balance. The Government cannot the concerned Minister. Yours etc... social unrest in coming times. can't be exaggerated. Yours etc... continue closing its eyes to the gravity of situation. Surjit Singh Yours etc.... Yours etc.... P L Koul Police Department has to reform drug related rules to Gole Pulli Harbans Singh Keshwa Nand Sharma (Budgami) make them more effective. Talab Tillo, Jammu Udhampur Salehri (Sunder Bani) Jammu