Check out Tehelka - India's Independent Weekly News Magazine

Check out Tehelka - India's Independent Weekly News Magazine

Privatisation of Water in Chattisgarh - So much for lessons learned from the Naxal uprising in the region. What more can you expect from such administration? 

On Development Path: Lip Smacking Tones

The democratic status of India remains one of the youngest democracy and yet numerous amendments in its constitution, keeps the legal and political class at the helm of affairs. These changes are representation of demands driven out of the socio-economic changes occurring in various parts of the country. But to these add malice of corruption and declining governance which might have changed its operational practices but remains rooted to the grass roots. Every time a gruesome incident like burning of government official in Maharashtra happens the state 'babus' rise in support. But this energy and opposition against the injustices dies as soon as the memory loss happens with time. That's resulting into retarded growth of our country side.

The showbiz of the development remains a priority of the government be it central or state. But the real issues are left to reality TV (read 24 x7 news), to heard for 5 minutes to an hour and to be forgotten next day. WE the citizens have been meekly seeking answers to the our development questions from the democratically elected representatives. Of course they are not be seen except during the national event, since elections are not near they are cooling their heels in their posh chambers. Some taking pains to try to prepare ground for next elections.

Instead of five years plans our major political parties are limiting development programs from election to election, as if sole objective is to win elections not development. What makes a strong tie up of political economies is the fact that, these two are tied together by streams of schemes floated by the center and state. Priorities of the governments through the structures annual and five year plans still remains rooted to the budgetary allocations, simple fund management.

We keep on policy changes oriented towards participatory process in the governments but that still remains a distant dreams looking at the practices. What seems to be participatory is in fact a Cortie of stakeholders who are interested in retaining their private ambitions. Their optimism of the India development is not more than lip smacking statements derived from the subtle political tones. Better the policies misunderstood by the people, they are saved from the thinking beyond their own self.

Surat: Textile Labour Unrest

Unfortunately the economic capital of Gujarat is under the pressure from the labourers who have been on strike since last four days and textile industries suffering serious loss of business and production. The textile labourers have been under constant work pressure of over 12 hours a day and in shifts living under the unhygienic conditions have helped industry to grow. Over the years the cost of living in the cities like Surat has increased and thus the demand for the just pay rise is justified. The raw material crisis in synthetic textile sector due to monopolistic supply chain as well as rise in crude oil is affecting the industry who have already put down the production due to high cost. The present labourer crises in much claimed labour friendly state presents a unlined situation affecting the lives and work relationships of massive industrial workforce. The industries and city administration has never acted seriously to make the life of these migrants easy, instead they have be made to work hard with less pay comparison to other sector workers.

Organised loom segments are let off by the state industrial labour officers in oversighting the difficulties faced by them in the city. Thus with poor work condition and subsistence pay the migrants would move away given better opportunities in their home state. The industrial labour crises is going to be at large more serious in the state given the massive investment in various sector. The labour shortage in the manufacturing sector and subsequent high cost of labour would also affect the growth prospects. Unless this important factor of production is taken care by introducing better socio-economic package by the collective efforts by the governments and industry association such friction would increase.

The issue of insurance, housing and health has never been tackled fully by the cities concerned for the textile workers and subsequent impact on the city economy is evident. Over million workers in the textile sector in Surat does require attention of the state and central government to ensure long term industrial health. Gujarat can not afford to have collapse of industries in Surat given poor revival of industries in Ahmadabad and Vadodara the next metropolitan city. The urban reform should also look into the economic characteristics and channelise the investment and action is winning the hearts of industrial labourers. The industrial investment would remain volatile or uncertain given the frequent labour unrest starting from Diamond to textile sector and their ancillaries.

Vibrant Gujarat: Looking Outward

Just concluded Vibrant Gujarat summit in Gandhinagar has created Gujarat centric image to outside world..at least reflected in the documents released on the MoU signed, Investment promised and employment destined to be generated. Great! to achieve a milestone in absence of the national support. One may wonder..when the state would acknowledge the support of the national government and vice versa. So much for the industrial investment that, state has pioneered itself in tagging 'Davos of India'. True to an extent till the internal competition rises amongst the states.

The 50 lakh jobs created in a state, when total about 170 crores working population, 100 crores in primary and tertiary sector, with less then 2 percent employment level would result in lack of human resources and skills to cater to such industrial investment. There is an effort to train the manpower to cater to the demand, but its falling short very fast. The manpower in key sector, like power, automobiles, Information technology etc is simply not available as per the requirements.

Now its upto the state and industry to transfer the vast pool of workforce from across the country and attract them in their newly established townships (to be constructed) in future. Whether this would lead to migration of work force? May be from the states where infrastructure is not available and has surplus man power. The costly labour intake in the industries might prove competitive of the state entrepreneurs in long run and thus idea of doing away with labour laws would also work.

We hope most of the claims seems to regular success rates of promises and simple routing the various investment through government channel (Vibrant Gujarat). What else do you think of partnerships which is as simple as internal investment on projects like housing colonies, urban infrastructure, irrigation projects, etc and even investment by MSME. These are regular investment where in government has only regulatory role to play. Government is party to any investment happening in the state, only this time its one page MoU (form) given to INDEXb to maintain the data. Good for marketing the state..smart move indeed.

Breaking Free: Indian States in Motion

India being republic for the states it has carved out from time to time, are now feeling strangulated with an idea to bow down to central pressure on its action and of late has become vocal in demanding and asserting their share of funds. With the different political parties are at helm of affairs at the center and state, the situation has become too close to conflict. Its not only the developed states asking for more autonomy but also the developing states like Bihar, Odisha seeking attention. Brand 'India' is no more attractive to them anymore and most would like to establish their own brand image in world market.

Gujarat being one of the foremost state to look for branding and marketing Gujarat for outside world. There is hardly any presence of central or India centric rhetoric in states business agenda. Yes with competition, the exchange of goods and services between the state would be further monitored to safeguard their own interest.

With the states, libralising its own self has entered as an active business players from the 21st century and last decade might be for state activism for establishing industry and business. The central ministry through a long list of the legislative control over the natural resources is now thought to be barriers and stumbling block for the state control. May be decentralization also has a negative fall out for the country but good for state and community? Traditionally, the idea of nation in India has been limited to few pockets and post independent states has recently been able to challenge the governance by central rules.

Had it been a political fall out of the parties in power in the center and state it would have been an natural ally to the central or national causes. But central governments has increasingly becoming a fund managers and guaranteers without much control on the state autonomy. This was not so till state become financially sound and independent. The planning commission at the central level is making it self redundant by overlooking the expenditures in the sectors and schemes which it never seriously visualised during the planning phases.

Till the parties get majority in both central and state this situation is likely to be aggravated, or mandate to central and state rulers are more clear in terms of reviving national agenda and state participation. The state who are in great motion, would intend to break it self free from central governance. Till then keep tracking....

New Year: Beating Drums and Tagging Corruption Index Spatially

Lets not forget to be optimistic for once in New year in the calender. If we all remember there was a system in earlier times to beat the drum in order to warn the public about the coming dangers in society by the erstwhile administrators. In this new year, we all start beating the drum, though virtually since no culprit can be found by the concerned agencies. Also look at the spatial reach of the corruption and associated indicators in India. Hopes are planted in the Judicial system to get justice for all...(only avenue left)

to murder of teenage girls in Delhi, going after CWG culprits in Delhi, catch the 2G gang in India (most of state licencors), Stop loot of Forest and Mineral Resources in Goa, Orissa, Jharkhand, Chattisgarh, West Bengal and other state, Check loosing erosion of land due to massive industrialization in Goa, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra.

corrupt practices in PDS systems in India (all states), release political prisoners and human rights activists, stop chasing government bashers (Arundhati, Binayak Sen et. al), Check free distribution of goods by cheif ministers of state to all and sundry, check the BPL list again...again., check cash doles handed out to poor and others.

Corporates and associated departments (IT/ED/SEBI/CBDT/Others) for their doubtful associations in all the parts of country to loot the public money from all means. Check political and media bosses for their unholy alliances in country.

Public for their civic behavior, use of plastics, burning of public property, not following rule of law and not respecting all citizens of the country.

All cases above are spread either locally or the nationally. Some indicators for corrupt societies have been quite evident a very little would require serious research or investigation. Rate these in your regions or state of work. I know many of us would be able to map the intensity and spatial spread of corruption indicators.

Meanwhile Green Eminent would try to come up with some data in next few months so keep viewing the blog and pass on your spatial indicators in any form..to us. We would be happy to include in national ranking by the mid year.