India Election Effects: Time to change fundamentals

The parliamentary democracy reached a turn around in India in 2019 when those who fought for independence from the British rule, brought change in the socio-economic status of the nation are not in power. Rather hope for their revival seems very weak. India must move from the basics of food, cloth and shelter to technology, innovation and urbanisation. The people of India desire to have now prestige, power and money to bring revolutionary participation in the world economy and social order. The people now want to be removed from the shadow of government to a world full of opportunity. The vision for them is for a strong nation where cultural divisions and social identity must be removed with little concern about equality. The competitive social order is now caught in class divide more when economic growth outshines the social status. The new economy (led by market) has also arranged the citizens' expectations beyond the basic concerns about poverty. The governments over the periods have targetted the poor through hordes of programs resulting in massive removal of poverty leading to starvation. There is inequality which has increased and distribution of wealth is not as would have been desired by socialists. But in a liberal and secular nation, there now exists the acceptance of majority stake and respect for minority rights. 

Innovation in the technology sector should lead to enhanced participation of young citizens to claim their space in a highly competitive market. There is rising services sector and demand for the employment over the periods diminished however, there is a disparity in the potential for creating jobs various parts of the nation. The man-days may be available to some states in India whereas the opportunity for regular employment diminishes. The new governments should be empowered enough to focus on the opportunities for the youth in sectors outside the governments. There is a positive sign when youth has accepted the fact that governments are no more responsible for employment. It is now there own responsibilities to skill themselves to be worthy of economic earnings. The people themselves must pull others out of joblessness or poverty. The community networks would be strengthened to provide enough opportunities. 

The higher education seems to have reached its pinnacle and with job markets not showing opportunities, the young talents must spend more time on making their skills show some good results. The entrepreneurship must come out from the established families to those who can make a difference. The service sectors need support from higher education, though the highest number of educated youth need to contribute towards making their voice heard through participating in meaningful outcomes. There is a need to take India forward to be competitive.

The cultural recognition of the largest Hindu population is at stake in the multi-cultural world. It seems now there is identity requirement for the community and assertation of culture would bring a fundamental change in our democratic systems. The leadership needs to subsume the cultural dominance by removing the privileges of minorities such as in J&K state to be a more inclusive part of the nation. Nevertheless, there is a need to have a balanced approach in dealing with minorities, while claiming back the cultural symbols through constitutional mandate in the national parliament. There is doubt in fulfilling these desires due to institutions like our courts or justice system giving enough opportunities for such a move by the majority governments. There is dominance now of the majority community in India, not to take away the rights of minorities but giving justice to there own actions. 

The social divisions in India must also go with fewer chances of the reservation to survive these decades. The complexities of identities and historical justice may not prevail in the current century. More disturbance of the social order may not be due to the community where people would be born but how they would be treated by society. The demand for the community for social equality must be met with the justice system. The people might not tolerate such unjustified social behaviour when technology and social relations have moved beyond their identities. The fundamentals of constitutions must identify the rights of citizens more than equal and move towards gender justice and social equality leading to new social order. 

The traditional communities living in hard geographical areas need protection from cultural and economic onslaught. The tribals in India need change when mainstreaming of these communities are almost complete when very few could protect there tradition and culture. The cultural missions in these areas must stop and tribals must be allowed to take there own decisions through government and institutional support. The constitution protection must move towards ecological protection along with communities not only accepting their rights but abstain from removing them from there traditional homes. 

(Photo Courtesy: Author, 2017_18)

The Failed Nation Theory of Development

The Failed Nation Theory of Development - There is numerous definition of development based on the philosophy of the social scientists, but the most prominent were described by the professions who were deciding the fate of the nation. The political class with its objective to propagate their thought till they are in power as every thing is for the national development. Till they attain the position of opposition its failure of the development remarked mostly in the discourse for getting power in next election.

But the parties which came to power after 60 years of the nation history, and being part of the active opposition for three decades, now finds very difficult to take it forward. There idea is to reject the past with its complete trace of development history. The political discourse now a days has moved towards projecting India as nation failed to achieve any thing during past 60 years (a mere political context). The agenda of the earlier parties in power was never acceptable even though its scripted ditto by the current ruling alliance. The leaders were quick to select the points of disagreement but later found nothing can be found justified whether its, rural India, urban, agriculture, defense, foreign policy, finance etc. they found the 60 years of history must be shed to give rise to new India.

As if we have entered into the royalty the end of one dynasty saw the rise of new and changed the direction of the development flow. The groups which were rejected by the political commentators have nothing to do with freedom of India, is now seeded to power with more stronger nation concept. The believers and non-believers concept of political ideologies are promoted with the tizzy cocktail of captialist frame of development. The ruling party now wants to select and change the system one by one for the national development with very profoundly believe in the failed system of development.

Albiet the theory for the development and means or methods remains same it would be only time which would converge two political thought which might talk to integrate India with rest of world. The pain and gain of the citizens now depends upon their voting pattern, the 2016 election like 2014 may not be land mark when the change happened after 60 years of political dominance. The current ruling party in now challenged within two year. What is there in India's DNA politically is non-alligned to an ideology where there is maximum diversity which political parties urge to unite. The plural character of nation is being brought down to desire for singular frame to worship 'Bharat'. The ideal and ideologies have changed but whether the citizens who voted them to power also changed? Do not know. When the 10,000 British men can rule India for long a handful of political leaders ranging from 500-2000 committed leaders can dominate Indian political landscape.

What is expected for the leaders who try to rule (rather to serve) in democracy? A fan following who belive in the character of development, When majority were made to believe in 'failed' nation theory the lack of continuity is expected, But this would also associate the political unrest and change of sub-systems and non-cooperation from the state who do not believe in ideologies of the party who is running the national development agenda. How difficult it would be agree in future?

Government of India: Post Budget Agenda

Riding on the media bandwagon the Union Finance minister presented budget on 28th Feb 2015 admist lot of hope as change maker. While increasing the scope for the insurance cover to the poor, there is chance to include poor in monitized economy. Whether the claim is granted and reclaimed by the poor as regards to insurance? Only time would tell the benefits it would do to the poor. Thats apart the budget curtail the spending on the social sector, including Panchayati raj, education, health, water resources has been reduced. As mentioned by one analyst as under;

"Many of the social sectors have experienced huge cut in allocation. The allocation for women and child development has been reduced by staggering 44 per cent, the reduction for school education and literacy has been facing a reduction of closer to 10 per cent. The allocation for environment and forest has been slashed by almost 5 per cent and for water resources the allocation was reduced by 29 per cent. Allocation on Mid-day meal scheme has been reduced by almost 22 per cent. Allocation for JnNURM has been reduced from Rs. 6, 2167 crore to Rs. 240 crore and the money would be transferred to the creation of 100 smart cities across the country. In the name of giving fiscal autonomy to the states, 12 schemes earlier funded by central government have been winded up and left to the states to use their additional resources. As a result, backward region grants fund, tourist infrastructure development scheme, model school at block level, part of agricultural development has to be taken care of by the state governments."

For detail :https://expldev.wordpress.com/2015/03/01/union-budget-2015-16-hopes-and-apprehensions-anjan-chakrabarti/

What can be expected from the government who has done wonders to facilitate the corporate by providing for the tax breaks, have been planning to disinvest from the public enterprise, facilitate new business  etc has been lack lustors in promoting the agricultural growth. With lots of hope on the 'niti ' ayog, this has been non starter with Rs.20000 crore seed capital alloted. The state are now left with the recommendations of the finance commissions for their share of central revenue. Most of the state are now made to look for their own resources. Right approach but state needs to be trained, monitored and supported for the planning excercise. The largest share of revenue from the centre now goes to the defence sector with over Rs.2.5 lakh crore expenditure allocation. 

With the objective of bringing the labour from the agriculture to the services sector the focus retains on the skill development. What skills? mainly to serve the service sector, which has seen the rise of service tax from 12 to 14 percent directly, and with addition proposed cess of 2 percent its going to rise above 16 percent. This can harmful for the growth of service sector it self. More or less it would effect the tourism, hotel and restaurant business in big way. The middle class households are largely effected, not only in urban India but also in rural. The development scenario would never receive investments as expected due to poor rise in income of households. There is poor chance of saving the money, thus where is scope for the investment in infrastructure or govt schemes. 

The arm twisting of the middle class has been opposite to the 'achhe din' slogan by the Modi Sarkar, promised on the eve of election. The net benefit to the poor would be lesser if the investment in rural infrastructure is declining, and the employment scope is declined due to poor service sector growth. The decline in crude prices have not helped the customers but it has helped the government and corporate to save the addition revenue and foreign exchange. The additional levies and taxes would burden on the common men and rich alike since many of them who consume these raw material would be hard hit by increasing price rise. 

The global competitiveness would decline since the delay in the major projects like Dholera SIR, GIFT city and DFC would take toll on the corporate expectation. Even with rise in government investment the projects on the ground are moving at slow pace. The first of the projects mentioned might be expected to finish by 2017-18, if the projects do not get the investors who are really interested in starting projects there is likely chance to even foresee employment generated on the ground. 

Though the governments abstain itself from being populist it attracted the attention of the market and corporate since it facilitated them for the want of investment and employment. As per the experience of Gujarat goes hardly 30 to 40 percent being realized even after facilitating the corporate in most of the manufacturing sectors. 

Corporate to cooperate with Governments to meet Development Targets?

Recently the Vibrant Gujarat 2015, concluded in Gandhinagar and host of CEO and top management of corporate world descended to support the agenda of Mr. Modi, as PM of India. The event hosted by Gujarat Government saw a mix of Modi and current CM Mrs. Patel. A careful integration of Global, national and regional development hopes were laid with most of the government departments pursued the corporate world to invest in their activities. The responsibilities of the government is now extended to the CEOs to help them in making infrastructure ready for massive investment in later stages. Of course promises made in most of the sectors as usual by national investors worth lakhs of crores, figures ranging from 2 lakh to 20 lakh crores. Wide investment in the state economies shows the advancement made by the state in pursuing the corporate s. Though the direct benefits are yet to be seen in the perspective of people since hardly quarter of the investments promised in earlier events has been materialized.

The investors were keen to be partner with the departments and state officials were quick enough to take promises of the investments. No body knows the serious viability and realization capacity of these deals. But the image of the state shows improvement in eyes of investors. The foreign delegates were happy but tizzy about actual realization. With slow world economy the monies required for the investment is hard to come by in the near future. The promised land of 'Smart' cities in Dholera and GIFT city could not see much more energy from investors. The land deals half completed in some cases are hard to realize due to slow growth in the international and national economies.

The bullish national approach to the economy is due to commitment of the ruling party are centre and state. The harsh development reality with the newly formed NITI Ayog (in lieu of planning commission) must face to keep the corporate and finance department happy. The task of winning the hearts of million citizens comes from showcase of implementing the schemes. The half baked approach of the ideas in Land Acquisition, Safai and development planning little serious change in government thinking. The facilitation of the investors is great and so was the promises, when we are going to see the real investors from distant land is hard to get. The stake of traditional partners like Japan, US, Australia over the Denmark, Finland, UK, South Africa is high due to long term commitments, but very cautious in approaching the Indian market. The system is ready to welcome them but lacks the down right commitment towards its own people.

India being the world market cannot expect export to the world till we find market for ourselves. We may not find export improving unless the corporate giants enter India on their own term to exploit the resources. After all they must promise profits for their investors. Keen to raise the human resources India still aspires to become largest 'Coolie' supplying nation to serve the multi national corporate. Despite trying to raise the bar for improving innovation and competitiveness India as a nation made to believe all we can do is to supply human labour in addition to get exploited of our resources. The pain to deal with the corporate is to facilitate them with land, capital and labour and allow them to take profits. When Indian systems would get benefited to invest further in social sector depends still on the tax paid by the resident citizens.

The PPP model adopted to give the infrastructure projects to corporate also enlists the possibilities of linking a system of paying tax money to corporate funds. The pity Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) unless sees light of day there is little chance of return on the social investment government would make in future. The viability of the policy framework depends on the markets, when the planned economies is rejected by the new governments. The new directions adopted provides little scope of the focus to investments in backward areas unless supports the investment by the corporate. The state governments must be ready to provide for the land, power and labour to the corporate guests in order to seek handful employment to its citizens.

The quick clearances of the projects, and easily twisted approach to resource management would evolve the exploitation more planned to extract the resources at minimum price and maximum benefits to the investors. The citizens must pay for the cost incurred to the governments which than can be shared with the corporate entity with the sound hope to have return on the investments. Not all remains hopeless in the dawn of new market and investment led government philosophy, with 'Make in India' campaign and realization of the social dreams. The easy arrangement with the World Banks (WB) for the loans which cities would need would further tangle and pledge the future Indian institutional capital to the corporate.

The images of the earlier, 'Bombay Plan' when eager investors lined up to partner with governments, though government decided to go public by setting large public sector undertaking. This time the governments is making large enterprise which is owned by the public to partner with corporate to justify the development targets. Corporate must participate with the governments to meet the development targets. Like most of the funds in social sector must now be routed through the expert corporate entity, the operations and management of the enterprise must also facilitate the improvement in the delivery and quality targets.

The nation must be sleeping is they do not react into the corporate take over of the public systems citing lack of public funds and their inability to manage. The market based economy needs to be most regulated and guided than the socialist economies. The wheel may turn back since the motive of profits must not be for the public benefits, and entirely least cost. The community till than must be diligent customers and good employee in order to allow the corporate to function and cooperate with the government to meet the development targets.  

Development has got new Engine and Multiple Drivers in India

With the election over in most of the state, the dominance of the new political order is reflected in the way we deal with the issues in our hand. The state were subject to distinct development philosophy than the central government has to align with new change. The sudden shift in the goal post and the drivers of the government from background also reflected in change in direction of development. Instead of chasing the development goals of food, shelter and employment the current national government in India is looking for culture, education and hindu nationalism. The essential ingredient to divert the attention from acute poverty and unemployment, the role of market is now enhanced with more private money (investment) and government wants to achieve the development targets. The babus in the governments would now feel like corporate having made to negotiate with private corporations for the basic needs of the citizens. In no time the civil services are looking to be privatized, with more local governments and state is opening doors for market driven economy. The end of planned era and more dominance of right wing ideology is now tutoring the governments to stand for make over and understand the change.

The correction or readjustment of the historical facts to suit the government in power is up for debate in development circle, the argument of development is on the surface with top most leader is promising for the sea change in the way state has been addressed in last 60 years. The systems of the governance is looking for the change, with initial rise of the market hopes there is downfall on the extreme other hand. The economy hoping for the revival must wait for these fundamental change inside the governance of the plans and schemes. Till than there is scope for the international agencies and corporation to invest and partner with the government for delivering the goods and services to the citizens. More investment is expected in the states but by whom, the international order has also been changing with revival of the US economy.

The cultural change and sudden assertions of majority politics have thrown necessary evil to disturb the harmony in society. The national concern towards the spaces whether its rural or urban is of constant flip flop with little policy consistency. The sense of the urgency as promised in the elections are now tend to reduce as the days passes by the ruling government. Now these are the national concerns which have been little addressed when the government is questions still refuses to acknowledge there role. The clean operations stands foremost important before they start reflecting there thought, hence more active third layers of political class.

The focus on the cultural assertions through the government is must and so is the celebrations changing the national identities with more focus on Gita, Ganga, Gaye (Cow) and other such hindutva symbolism. Of these even many so called Hindu's are shamed by accepting a certain ideology which is still germinating from the heads of Nagpur clan of Hindus. The emergence of identities are distinct and new political class in race of taking control of nation is unsettled with principles of Indian constitutions.

Though its difficult to pass the judgement, but whether the development politics of the past would survive the test of present time. Keep you finger crossed!!

Upsetting the Planning Commission: Old Wine in New Bottle

The setting of the planning commission in year 1950, an about 54 years ago and up to 12th five plan it served the nation with advising the central government and directing the states from time to time. The planning commission established to promote and protect the rights of the citizens. The development planning emerges as science which was practiced and researched while we planned for our nation. The basis of planning commission was following;

The Constitution of India has guaranteed certain Fundamental Rights to the citizens of India and enunciates certain Directive Principles of State Policy, in particular, that the State shall strive to promote the welfare of the people by securing and protecting as effectively as it may a social order in which justice, social economic and political, shall inform all the institutions of the national life and shall direct its policy towards securing, among other things:-
(a) that the citizens, men and women, equally, have the right to an adequate means of livelihood;
(b) that the ownership and control of the material resources of the community are so distributed as best to sub serve the common good; and
(c) that the operation of the economic system does not result in the concentration of wealth and means of production to the common detriment.

With new government elected in May2014, there is urge to change and new direction to be sought from the organisation which now is allowed to shut and become defunct. The new regime with eyes on the growth of economy, and post libralization effects give rise to capital and market based policy making. The rights based approach subsided by the economic and employment concerns of the urban India. The rising middle class and their hopes giving way to new thinking promoting greater participation from the enterprises. 

The so called 'think tank' based approach is not new, the guards changed with planning commission paid fitting obituary to its structure and planned era by going beyond the means by extending itself too much into the political economy. India has not achieved coordinated growth among the stakeholders like the states and centre, the federal structure needs to be strengthened with states taking more responsibility in planning.

The tiff between centre and state in earlier regime and emergence of Gujarat Model with more action towards inviting the private players and high stake of state in capital investment. The sector based growth in Gujarat, with more corporate segments of government, due to emergence of companies owned and sustained by Government. The model succeeded in reducing the government department to signing authorities and release of lumpsum financial support to new organisations. The improvised management techniques minus lack of government (middle level management) helped these government run corporate to functions. But none of the corporate (of government) was evaluated for its result except their contribution and zeal in signing the MoUs with limited companies. Public-Private partnership was done in true spirit with both the parties unshackled themselves from the government systems except receiving the financial aid and decision ability. The American dream of Gujarat government to establish the brand succeeded in making the model adaptable to wider use once the ruling party came to power in India.

Now, the model needs to be tested on India's economic fate yet, failing to recognize the need there is little doubt that the re-organised decision making body will not be planning commission. This would work as disinvestment commission on one hand when government departments would give birth to state run enterprises. Eventually, PPP model bringing out the change (financial control) to their own hand for quick decision making. It would be hard to replace the planning commission, by its nature but its easy to open a new way of governance with no government in place to decide the path to development. State and local bodies now need to compete among themselves to get the wider power and investment. It would be not long before they come together to demand more assistance and thus market playing its role.

Scope of Urban Planners on Election Eve

Country is going through an election phase which is rolling information and data on the status of various states regards to the development. The basic needs of the humans have not met in many constituency and need of hour is to understand the importance of planning and implementation. Most of the political leaders lack ideas and plan for going about conducting development works in their respective areas. The failures of the urban governance at large in providing the basic urban services and satisfying the citizen has resulted in performance of ruling party. The election to election vision of the party is different than the organised planning procedures adopted in the planning mechanism. The discussions across the board shows the concerns of all to improve the situation, irrespective of the political parties. Very few have distinct agenda for the change, the system of governance relies on the delivery, and urban services depends on efficient management. Most of the cities in India lack the efforts, despite the scores of reforms and financial aid given in last decade.

The problem lies in unwillingness of the political class to provide for the services, where on the ground its divided on the basis of class, vote bank, religious groups and power centers. The services provided in the cities are not uniform, one or the other areas are neglected not because of efficiency of the local bodies but priority which is not granted over the others. The decision makers are often people's representatives who if lucky to be in ruling party gets hearing and priority over those who are from opposition. This selective development framework of the leaders and ineffective the outreach of the services which are responsible in the state of mess in our cities.

As a professional, there is need to understand the political notion of the development for the cities, where the systems and law does not distinct the service delivery on the basis of its political support. The apolitical work of the professionals should be taken up for understanding the need of the service area. The plans so made should cater to all the section of the society without any prejudice. There are cases on the most of the cities where old areas, slums, minority areas, and urban poor are not serviced with the basic need. Cities like Mumbai, Ahmadabad, Surat, Varanasi, Allahabad etc has not been able to provide for the needs of the people in terms of the urban services.

The posh and hip city areas are provided with good road, gardens, clubs, fountains and other urban amenities which envy the poorer section which often creates a social division by the way of differential development efforts. The planners would have scope to reduce the gap of development efforts by the urban local bodies. The people often see the government from the prespective of the services they are able to receive, till the local issues are resolve it would be hard to imagine that elections would be fought on the national issues.  

'Development' in Political Debates: Beyond People Just Elections

Whatever had been our development philosophies the elections have covered a close agenda with parties after parties have not accepted that there is some requirements which can always grow. The needs are endless and thereby no one can satisfy the needs of people to a hundred percent centrality. Thats why we also see the 'development' now equated with 'roti, kapda aur makan' along swasth aur shiksha (Food, Cloth and Shelther along with Health and Education) as the basics of development.

For any development analysis this would be easy plan,

(a) Even America fails on this pretext because these are growing demands and government often do not reach to the target because of many of the people are out of reach to the governments. India too stands on similar line but more harsher, if you want to target any government you may find plenty of instances where they fail on these counts. There are people who are out these circle of development needs (as mentioned above) because they are wealthy and support themselves. In countries like India 80 percent are dependent on the government for these 'development' needs. Even countries like USA, UK and France more population is dependent on state lead mentioned 'development' doles.

(b) Nine out of the ten country would move along with the population growth, but high growth of population and lack of economic attainment do not allow the people to catch up with others. The cycle of poverty catches them since they seldom have resources to match up with the growing demands. What then a 'development politician' can do to serve the people? The promises to supply them enough finance and materials to fight with needs the governments does not reach to all the citizens groups. May be due to priority and difference among those who are authorized to supply. The different and specific approaches benefits only few but harms many for the want of 'development needs'.

(c) Politicians often claim my development is better than yours, but they often forgets the coffers are same, the finance and ability to meet the requirements of the citizens can not be different during the various political regimes. Recent claims and counter claims of the political parties to become messiah of one or other citizen groups often fall flat due to inabilities of the leaders to understand the development sourcing which are same. No amount of work can satisfy the hundred percent population and opposition would always puncture the long lasting claims of ruling parties.

(d) The media houses across the globe is used by the political parties to fool the citizens in favour  of their idea of development, which revolves around the similar development wheel. The image maker overs to market the 'development' products, which are packaged to suit the party and their ideologies. In countries like India there seems to offers from the media managers to take the political leaderships to these development rides advertising the political campaign to sell the 'development products' offered to citizens. 

Election in democracy is chance for the political leaderships to claim the development efforts by the governments, forgetting that they are by chance the trustees of such works. Its the who system which functions to provide for the 'development needs' of the people. Why do the claims of the parties to correct the wrongs be accepted, which in a way justifies the role of political class to claim the development outcome. The scores of industrialists, academicians, scientists and others who toil hard to reach to there goal thereby contributing to the development requirements often feel neglected and fooled by the political class. The assumed power of the political class and their debates often circles around reducing the development to their party framework, forgetting the needs of the people. 

Political parties and personalities taking over the government today...

The constitution of India a document people of India gave to themselves to decide the future of India and manner in which the stakeholders should be behaving has done well during last six decades by inching towards the progress. The progress so made now also have credit takers as well as those who demonize the development also give credit to political class. The 'government' so defined constituted the four estates, executive, legislative and judiciary. In addition 'media' as forth estate constitute what government was supposed to be in democracy. Some may also cite 'people' community or mob as a part of the fourth estate. But during these last 60 years India's democracy is now fully taken over the political class by claiming government as their own, the government's are now titles as 'congress government' 'Janta Government' or BJP Government, and more brazenly as Manmohan's Government, Modi's Government, Mulayams Governments, Vasundhara's Government etc. It so feels now that we are returning backing to feudal system of governance. The lordships have divided the country among themselves and trying to get control of more territories by claiming victory over the opposition territory. The political class conveniently run the government (as they claim), and asks the people to go to long sleep and slumber till before the next election.

Such is the desire of the political class, that they create the political lobbies in the other estates like in executive, judiciary and media. They are often used to target the opposition, and often purchased by using ill gotten monies from the political slung matches. The furious fight is for the people to believe that they are enemies but as true to their class they do not mind to come together for their own self, or political benefits. The same opposition parties becomes a part of the common minimum program to run the ill mandated governance. The fate of nation though not really being planned by either of the political parties they use the other estates for their own political benefit. The system so builds takes care of the orientation of common citizens towards the political debates and the interest of them takes back seat. It takes few more people to join the political bandwagon to claim government of their own. Democracy in such conditions often fails to address the needs to people (who are not aligned to the ruling parties). The societies across are polarized between the political camps often prevails to feed their political masters and class.

 The dance of democracy from the political claimant's continues till the upcoming election 2014 in India, the political rivalries on the street also tends to friendly affairs among the seasoned politicians. The country divided into the political views ultimately has to follow the constitution, its hard to believe how one can clean the system unless its changed often. 'Swaraj' or 'Self rule' by the people was the essence of the Indian democracy but political class or emerging political class stops short of addressing the people or they themselves have accepted the political masters. Let the parties divide the nations, societies and communities by polarizing the political lines and keep people divided to run their democratic governments. Whether the political class have taken over the governments? we need to be more cautious in understanding the manner in which India's democracy would mature.  

A tale of two cities by CSE, New Delhi

I could not resist to relay story by CSE, New Delhi worth reading by fellow planners, Thanks to them..

EDITORIAL: A tale of two cities 
by Sunita Narain
======================================================
I travelled to two different cities in two different states last week—Indore and Guwahati. I came back with images identified by common distinctions: piles of garbage and glitzy new shopping malls. Is this our vision of urban development? There is no question that cities are imploding; growth is happening faster than we ever imagined. Construction is booming and expansion is gobbling agricultural land.

But the quality of life is no better. In most parts there is traffic, dust, air pollution and most of all the chaos of unplanned growth. Road expansion is eating up lines of shady trees—in Guwahati I saw the most majestic trees hacked down mercilessly. The city’s lungs are going, and so are its sponges, as waterbodies are making way for buildings. In Indore its residents will tell you that the names of the colonies are the names of the lakes they are built on. In Guwahati, the airport has been built by killing the grand Deepor beel. First a road was built (obviously without culverts to channelise the water), then as the waterbody died, it was filled to undertake new construction. This year, as always, Guwahati airport was flooded and air traffic disrupted.

The two cities are different ecosystems, so they should have had different water and waste issues. One is located in the relatively dry Malwa plateau and the other in the high-rainfall region on the banks of the mighty Brahmaputra. But both cities have acute water stress, even as rain leads to swamping of cities, disrupting life and destroying property. Both cities have no water culture. Both are drowning in their waste.

Indore, because of its location, had a rich tradition of lakes. Rain water was harvested and stored in structures, which recharged groundwater. Then, in 1977, the city brought Narmada water from some 110 km to the city. Indore should have had enough to drink and to swim. But 35 years later, the water has still not reached all distribution pipelines. Over 50 per cent of the 172 million litres per day of water it sources is lost in distribution, which means there is far more costs but far less water to supply. The city water utility has no money to repair and extend its water system. It spends all it has and more in just electricity costs of bringing the water. Politicians are vying with each other to bring the water from the Maheshwar dam. The recent jal samadhi by the Maheshwar dam-displaced has met with enormous anger from Indore’s power elite. They say they need the dam’s water at all costs. They do not care if the people, whose land has been submerged by the dam, have not received compensation or been resettled.

The same power elite never demand systems to deal with the sewage they flush out of their homes. In Indore, the sewage system was constructed in 1936 at the time of the Holkars. Independent Indore has added to it insignificantly. The bulk of the sewage pours into its rivers, Khan and Saraswati, and Piliyakhal Nullah, untreated. It forgets that the Khan pollutes the Kshipra; the main water source of the neighbour, Ujjain.

Guwahati is no different. When I went in early October, floods were still ravaging the city. This was the third pulse of flooding, which began in early June. Residents explained that the intensity and duration of floods had made life impossibly difficult. They also spoke of desperate water shortages in this region of plenty. Worse, life-giving water is now the cause of diseases—death by dengue fever was top news in Guwahati.

This is when both cities have options to do things differently. They are yet to build all their homes, roads and water and sewage systems. They can execute a plan, which allows them to modernise but with quality of life intact and even better. This requires not to want to grow in the way Delhi, Mumbai or any other “old-growth” city has.

For instance, they should not repeat the mistake of allowing fleets of cars to take over their roads. Indore was an enlightened city to plan for a bus-based future. Some years ago it invested in new buses, rationalised routes, created systems for efficient operation and put GPS in place to track and inform customers. Now cost of bus fuel is up, fares have not been revised and buses are losers. Still the majority of the city population rides or walks, even though the city’s footpaths are long gone. Indore is now building a bus rapid transit (BRT) corridor. It has a many foreign and Indian consultants to design the system but the people of Indore have no idea what is being proposed and why BRT is important. So they already hate it.

Guwahati’s footpaths are gone as well, taken over by mounds of garbage. The city has taken the route of its bigger cousins. It has put the task of garbage disposal out to a concessionaire, who, it hopes, will sweep the city clean. It does not. Instead, Guwahati could collect, segregate and compost garbage at the household level. It could reserve areas in colonies for environmental services. This way it would not have to first collect and then transport the waste. It would not have to live in filth.

In the end Indore and Guwahati will be the creations of their people. The only question is whether they will be dreams or nightmares. 

You can post your comments on this editorial online at http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/tale-two-cities

Politics of Decentralization and Center

The nature of citizenship offered by India is universal and sub-nationalism was in background when India  adopted new constitution and emerged as a nation state decades ago. The nationalism was fueled by the then freedom fighters and decision makers at the national and state level politics. What ever may be their party affiliation  the concern for nation for the priority, the states were not developed to have become an independent economic strength. The national priorities were together and distributed across the nation with clear mandate to provide boost to economy- including agriculture and industry dedicated to the nation. The national goals are set by the then leaders and obidiantly being followed till the rise of new India post 1991.

The decentralisation of power with centre leaving the development turf to the state, and state governments joining the free market economy to take charge of their development. It was so good to feel the new power of the state, but it also added downfall of the centre both economically and politically. As a nation state the control of centre is limited and state's are running for the money. But till this time all states were not ready for the freedom it has taken almost a decade for the poor states to rise from the ashes.

The states like UP, Bihar, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan has increasingly being now prepared to join the league of developed states like Tamilnadu, Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana etc. Much needs to be done in order to be attractive for the outsiders, instead the growth in these states would arrest the mass exodus of population to the developed state. In more cases, the developed state might loose some shine due to initial labour shocks.

The politics of nation is also allude the centre-state relationships with little over 10 states, leaders have no ambition to join national politics, its marred with difficulties, its now very tough to be raise a national party. Except, Congress and BJP to an extent has been successful in holding the turf, but badly challenged in their respective party ruled states.

Development policies of centre is more advisory then authentic show of nationalistic flavour, and states often do not offer centre favourable ground, central agencies across states find it difficult to work with state governments. Railways is best example to show the politics of decentralisation and hurdles both sets of government puts to one another.

A state leaders no matter how good they are in administrator or being popular in public finds very difficult to find acceptence at the national level. Its difficult to find national leaders acceptable at the state politics, take case of communist leaders (central and states) they are different roles and destinations.

Party politics for long has used the state has ground to work as national leaders, the nation logic has been used to promote the party ideologies, but in practice the state's across the nation had become laboratories of such ideologies such as Gujarat, Kerala, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Assam and Tamil Nadu. Most of the these ideologies ruled by different parties find it difficult to be adopted at the national level.

May be time has also come to review and research on the subject.

New Political Dharma of NDA

The NDA seems to have been wearing shoes of Communist Party of India (M), while the nation grapples with the price hike (though we thought the NDA agreed to decontrol the petrol prices by Government of India, the sector is still in the clutches of government. Given the decontrol regime the prices of the essentials are well within control, the petroleum sector now dominated by major corporates even NDA would not be able to live without pleasing its corporate funders. The comparative prices of the petroleum products under the free market economy is controlled by the corporates. The subsidy components offered to the citizens of India were to be phased out, but could not happens sans the political will of the parties in power and opposition.

Now after recent hike the NDA would be on the roads, and so would be our 'poor' middle class. The traditional congress bashing and credit of price rise would be going to core group of Government of India. From Corruption the country is diverted to petrol price hike..do you see politcal angle...let the new poster boy of BJP handle the situation, and leave the sulking grand old man of BJP aside.

Hail the champion of 'Party with Difference'

Looking for Urban Form by Physical Planners

Urban form an outcome of utilization of urban space by the people resulting in distribution of density and infrastructure. A recent discussion on the sustainable urban form held at Ahmedabad by the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) and their partners SPA Delhi and CEPT Ahmedabad tried to showcase their physical planning talent. They emphasised on the physical density of space and infrastructure planning which considered to be important for the resulting urban form. The city urban form - a study initiated by the UK based reserach group through tried to present the thesis that urban form is resultant outcome of various factors, physical, social and economic, the national level institutes failed to conceptualise the studies. The analysis though seems to be undergoing the directions for such urban form studies are dominated by the physical urban planners. The cities and their form is not outcome of intellegent planning but is result of urban geographies, economy, sociology and behaviour of the people. The policy decisions are used to guide the plans but its people who choose to the manner they want to use their lands. The planning communities have failed to scientifically explain the present urban form rather jumps too fast on making the new plans and policy. The analysis for the present city forms were missing in the current studies at the national level, the content of the works intended to prepare the National urban form guidelines didnot have any scientifc basis except the physical interplay between the density which is an outcome of land utilization. The stress on the allowing or restricting the mixland use in the cities are discussed at length, but with little theoritical backing explainations were hard to give.

The cities in India have been focussing on the infrastructure plans in the city development plans which in any case cannot be regarded as authentic planning excercise. Its neither traditional nor looking for sustainable approach to planning, just become a funding tools for the state. The current applied sciences should intervene the planning process in order to save it self from the intellectual lethargy while studying the cities. The planning community have failed to explain the city form and directions with the scientific methods, rather they are good at explaining the policies by using the same methods. The structured approach to planning systems are missing and yet the decisions are taken too fast. Take for example the recent planning of Dholera SIR in Gujarat, where in the physical planners are going for 2 million plus cities, where in its expected to populated in coming years (100 years!!). This is within reach from Ahmedabad, a million plus city, how this would be feasible to relocate or expect huge migrant movement out of nothing. The physical planners have already beguin to plan for the people, wherein nobody exists and look for heavy investments by realtors. The claim of the planners in this context is huge masterplan indicating the role of state which has evidently emerged as real estate agent. The lack of people participation and information is resulting in utter chaos in planning system, some results are good, but most are expected to be poor thought for the future.

Displaced and Lost: Victims of Land Acquisition

Ranchi, Jan 4 (ANI): Displacement, a major problem in Central Asia, has, over the "developing" years, spread its roots intensely in Indian sub-continent. It has been 64 long years that its central regions are bearing the brunt of land acquisition for development.

History of the "Land of Forest" Jharkhand is no different rather more difficult. Post Independence, several thousand people from hundreds of villages in Jharkhand were forced to leave their villages, half of which are represented by women.

Like a thread, when powerfully pulled out of a fabric tears it apart, these displaced women who were forced to move from one place to another, were torn apart from their families, culture and above all their identity. Be it Government or non- Government organizations, no one has concrete data regarding these displaced women and no one actually is bothered to identify and rehabilitate them.

However in the recent past, initiatives of few strong women Dayamani Barla, Munni Hansda and Pushpa Aaind, has raised a voice against the tragedy. Barla set a commotion against Mittal and Jindal in Torpa village of Khunti Block. Her agitation forced the culprits to leave the land of hundreds of villagers. Similarly, in Santhal Parangna of Dumka district, Munni Hansda carried out anti- displacement demonstration that led her to jail. In Karkara division of Khunti block, Pushpa Aaind saved her indigenous land from Mittal by creating upheaval against the displacement.

HEC, Bokaro Thermal, Tenughat Dam, Maithan Dam, Kutku Dam, Netarhat Field Firing Range, Koylakaron Hydroelectric Project, Tata Steel, Chandil Dam are the big names which have been the reason behind the displacement of most of the people in Jharkhand that continues to happen till date, latest example being the displaced communities of Islam Nagar and Nagababa Khatal in Ranchi.

Displacement, altogether, is a very cruel process. Over the night, the inhabitants are displaced, houses are run over by bulldozers and the acres of villages are destroyed in a flash. From kids to elders to women, no one is spared. Widows, the silent inhabitants, are worse affected as no one is there to fight for their right and no one bothers to compensate for their land.

More or less, the situation is similar in almost every village of the state that has been dislodged. According to the statistics available, 1981-1985 was the period when various coalmines in the state displaced approx 180000 people, out of which only 11901 people were given the job.

Out of the total displaced families, one family member of only 36.34 percent families got the promised job. There are ample examples to suggest that the excuse of "Development of the country" given for advent of industrialization and mines in the state in reality is linked to the "Development" of big industrialists, selected bureaucrats and contractors and a few big businessmen only. 15 lakh out of 72-90 lakh displaced belong to tribal community. Only 25 percent of the entire unfortunate displaced population was provided with some kind of shelter.

The people displaced by HEC - Ranchi's first industrial unit post liberation, have not been rehabilitated so far. Both state and central government have turned a deaf ear to their cries. Out of 36 villages displaced, 13 were completely destroyed while rest were partially shuffled. In the rehabilitation process, women were left out completely. Not even a single woman was offered job.

The promises given by government before acquiring the land were all crushed. As a result, the helpless relocated families have to live on 10-15 decimal land, which for them is, of course, a cursed life. They have converted the verandas and gardens into graveyard, as they have to live and die on the same small piece of land. Due to this, the social activities and cultural-economical existence of Adivasis is dying. People are forced and bound to forget their language, culture, traditions and customs.

The people of Bokaro have to suffer a lot due to this huge displacement crisis. Bokaro Steel factory engulfed the land of 65 villages while dozens of other villages were moved because of BTPS, CTPS electricity production centers. In pretext of development Tenughat Dam marred the lives of people of 35 villages. Gunpowder factory in Gomiya also destroyed several villages. Now due to the release of Methane gas from the industrial areas has put the future of many villages in danger.

The then Bihar government acquired 31435 acres of land and gave it to Bokaro Steel Plant. Many thousands acres of such land was acquired for rehabilitation. In this spree of land acquisition, lands of small farmers were taken, which was their only asset in life. Houses were destroyed and as compensation a very meager amount was given to them.or every decimal, 25 Paise-25 Rupees was given as compensation and even this small amount failed to reach the right hands especially women. Today, no one knows where these women are.

Jharkhand is the main producer of minerals. In 1973, during nationalization of mines, 80 percent coal production used to be conducted in underground mines. Later, open mines became popular. During 1991-92, 82.8 percent of CCL mines were open cast, which was increased in 1994-95 to 86.7 percent. According to experts, agricultural land is sacrificed for open cast mines.

Electricity is the most important component for industrial development. Fortunately or unfortunately, Jharkhand due to its rich natural resources, offer coal and other components, required for major electricity production purposes.

After 1974, post the inauguration of Damodar Valley Project, hydro-electricity was produced from Tilaiya Dam, Maithan Dam, Panchet Dam, Suwarnarekha Multi-purpose Dam, Mayurakshi Dam etc. Later with coal being used as raw material to produce electricity, Chandrapur Thermal Power, Bokaro Thermal Power, Tenughat Thermal Power, Patratu Thermal Power etc. were developed. This was the zenith for displacement and miseries of the locals. They got displaced from their land and outsiders got employment over it.

Kashinath Kevat tells us, "This is the year of displaced as Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation Bill has to be tabled in the Parliament. We can't reject this bill that despite of faults includes good points as well. We formed a forum 'Insaaf' and presented our views on the draft to Prime Minister through a letter. We urged the PM that this law should be applied to all 100-acre land acquisition in rural areas and 50-acre land acquisition in urban areas. Secondly, the Bill's draft makes consent of at least 80 per cent landowners mandatory if acquisition is for private projects. We welcome this recommendation and suggest that the agreement of this 80 percent should be transparent and half of this 80 percent must be women."

The Charkha Development Communication network feels that the proposed Bill, which is controversial, hopes to provide a solution to problems of displaced -a solution that will allow the future generation to live peacefully on their land. As for the past, nothing on this earth can compensate for the troubles caused By Aloka (ANI)

Source: http://in.news.yahoo.com/displaced-lost-victims-land-acquisition-082810244.html

Developmental Politics and state

The state being one of the fastest growing have started looking to dominate the Indian economies have come into existence as an outcome of libralisation policies. The centre though assigned considerable freedom due to economic compulsion and political outcome is becoming weak in addressing the national concern. Each of state is looking on their turf to improve, its good as long as they do not logger heads over the precious resources. The state like Gujarat, too where the CM in power likes to demonstrate his abilities rather than party in power or the ministries entrusted with task. The image building excercise has turned ugly and would call for down turn of the Indian democratic system. We as individuals would like to see governments which dominates our lives with constant pestering on 'who is who' of Indian politics talking at random about their acheivement.

Its acceptable as long as they are limited to party politics, but the intrusion of 'development' addressed with numbers of doles handed out to the poor, crores spent on the schemes etc looks like erstwhile rulers giving their subject regular handouts. Is'nt the governments are supposed to be working for the people, Why do they have to loath about the tasks they have performed? Its too shamelessness of the people in power to showcase their material acheivements without considering the fact that in democracy they are the custodian of public welfare. The failures are gone under the red carpet of the governments, which they would like to hide till development politics result in fall of their governments.

The 21st century 'development' though unsustainabe has now become media savvy and eirrational to the need of the society. The challenges before us is big and ever increasing intead of focussing on the future we are still busy in completing the tasks taken during our first plan. We talk of decentralization but if act miserably till the state takes the form of darconian and suffocating rulers led by likes of presents CMs in most of the state in country. This is not encuraging for those who wanted to enter in public life. Till some introspection happens keep the bell ringing.

www.outlookindia.com | A Nation Consumed By The State

This is an another masterpiece by Ramchandra Guha, This opens again the desire of nation towards reaching the goal destined by the constitution makers of India. So much passion and rage this article generates that is bound to have everlasting effect on the right Indian minds. One must see in the light of rationalist thinking, a threadbare account of India past 60.

Thank to outlook in publishing this brave analysis.

www.outlookindia.com | A Nation Consumed By The State

Caste and Census 2011 : Debating researchers

Yesterday it happened to be a quite a long afternoon in an heated discussion on the 'inclusion of caste in Census 2011'. Eminent Sociologists acting as panalists dwelled on the the impact and modalities of the caste based census. The following are the observations;

For those Opposing the caste census:
(a) Caste is tricky issue diffecult to enumerate and collect the right information on the individual castes.
(b) People tend to confuse between caste and sub caste would never be able to give the correct information.
(c) Enumeration of Caste at the state level and National level would be different, when caste categories are overlapped, diffrently placed and represented in various parts of country.
(d) Diffecult to draw questionnare.
(e) Our forefathers who drafted the constitution has aimed at casteless society and culturally lot of changes has taken place in Marraiges, customs and caste identieties. Whether the caste enumeration would lead to division in the the society. This would not be rational decision.
(f) The issue of caste has been raised for political gains to take accounts of Other Backward aste (OBC) and would further create tensions in society.
(g) Census of India has no capacity to conduct the caste based census.
(h) The present government is not conducting the caste based census with Census 2011 but seperate excercise which may not be repeated in next census.
(i) Sociologists have never accepted or recommended caste based census in India.

For those Supporting the Caste Based Census

(a) The caste is reality of Indian society, identity of its people and there is no harm in accounting or collecting data as we collect information on other variables of households.
(b) The upper caste and those who are on high social ladder does not want caste to be included in census, since they fear the power of the OBC would be known.
(c) The intellectuals and government officials who holds key position are taking undue advantage of the their position and trying to stop genuine assertation of the backward castes.
(d) The caste based census is not the only demand of the political parties but also of the social organisations working for the backward castes.
(e) Traditionally the census of India has taken counting of the Scheduled Tribes and Castes which have not created any kind of disharmoney rather we were able to concentrate on the development of these social groups. Similarly, the counting of the other caste would also be helpful for the planners to target the communities.
(f) The methodological difficulties needs to be overcome in this case and there are ways to conduct the caste based census.
(g) By our insufficient methods for caste enumeration we can not allow the neglect of very important excercise.

In our view those who are opposing the caste in census are taking caste only as an sociological phenomena and forgets that it also has administrative, political and economic importance. This needs to be better understood after conducted in the census.

The interpretation of the claims of the individuals are subject to discussion by the sociologists, but an individual need not get certificate from the sociologists. Its the immediate society where his or their claims needs to be settled. The claims of the individuals can be settled by the local bodies, panchayats and village elders. The law of heritage makes it stand on the intercaste marraiges, and Hindu Marraige Act also specifies it, then where is fear of placing the bracket.

The simple enumeration excercise as regards to caste categories have been complicated by the misconceived notion of sociologists to tide over the social desires. The identity of persons cannot remain same forever and if he claims to be of 'X' caste then it is their choice. The issue of grants of rights and previlages of the castes rests with the communities. If there is no caste identities or changes caste identities which helps the households to take benefits of social networks then let him do so..at his own will.

Our law does allow any person to change name and claims of caste can only be challenged by the society. Let the census take place and help us in understanding the desires and nature of these castes in India.