CPOs have No Answer to Naxals

Josy Joseph
Saturday, April 18, 2009 3:38 IST
.New Delhi: While security forces and intelligence agencies perceived a threat to the poll process from Islamist terrorist groups based outside India, it is the home-grown naxalite violence that threatens to disrupt the general election. And the establishment says it can't do much to contain the menace.

At least 48 security force personnel have been killed in 100 naxalite attacks since the election was announced on March 2, 12 of them during the first phase of polling on Thursday. Of the 48, 30 are from the Central Reserve Police Force, 11 from the Central Industrial Security Force, and the rest from the Border Security Force. This figure is higher than the number of security force personnel killed in the corresponding period in Jammu & Kashmir and the Northeast put together.
With four more phases of polling still to go over the next month, the reach and scale of the naxalite attacks suggest that this general election will go down as India's bloodiest, officials in the security establishment have admitted.
"The reach and intensity of attacks is unprecedented, but there is little we can do now," a senior intelligence officer said. Central forces have been stretched thin for election duty and state police forces are not up to the task.
State police forces for years neglected and let the naxal menace grow. Now they are throwing up their hands and demanding the deployment of paramilitary forces. But central forces are also not qualified for the task, what with new terrain, strange topography, and no local sources.
While the CISF is trained to protect industrial complexes, the BSF guards peaceful international borders.
If the regularity and intensity of the present wave of naxal attacks is any indication, the day is not far when the state may have to deploy the armed forces, at least in some areas. India's response to all insurgencies has followed the same pattern: for years states ignore the problem or treat it as a mere law-and-order issue. Then, as it becomes unmanageable, they seek central paramilitary assistance. Eventually, the army is called in.
The naxal threat is far bigger in this general election as compared 2004.
When the first wave of naxalism struck India, it was contained by state police forces and through political efforts. But the new-generation naxalism is stronger, more widespread and cohesive, and has safe hideouts in central and eastern India. Many within the establishment are clearly worried.
"The money the Centre has given to these (naxal-affected) states for police modernisation is mostly unspent, and now they are shifting the responsibility to central forces," said a senior member of the security establishment. "There is very little we can do for the coming phases of polls. Already our paramilitary forces are very stretched," he said, admitting candidly that violence could continue at this level over the next phases, too.
In 2004, the naxalite calls for election boycott and violence were not so successful. "But this time, they are making a very strong statement," the official said.

Nexus- Media,Politics and Entertainment

This was posted on http://broadbandforum.in/politics/45052-nexus-media-politics-and-entertainment/picture courtesy - bharat-rakshak.com (indian military think tanks discussing open source int since 1997)-----------------------------Here are the associations between individuals and organizations that influence Indian politics and discussions in Indian public space.____________________________________________________________________Suzanna Arundhati Roy is niece of Prannoy Roy (CEO of NDTV)Prannoy Roy married to Radhika RoyRadhika Roy is sister of Brinda Karat (CPI(M))Brinda Karat married to Prakash Karat (CPI(M) - General Secretary)CPI(M)'s senior member of Politburo and Parliamentary Group Leader is Sitaram Yechury.Sitaram Yechury is married to Seema Chisthi.Seema Chisthi is the Resident Editor of Indian ExpressBurkha Dutt works at NDTVRajdeep Sardesai was Managing Editor at NDTVRajdeep Sardesai married to Sagrika GhoseSagarika Ghose is daughter of Bhaskar Ghose.Bhaskar Ghose was Director General of Doordarshan.Sagarika Ghose's aunt is Ruma Pal.Ruma Pal is former justice of Supreme Court.Sagarika Ghose's another aunt is Arundhati Ghose.Arundhati Ghose was India's permanent representative/ambassador to United Nations.Dilip D'Souza was member of PIPFDDilip D'Souza's father was Joseph Bain D'Souza.J.B.D'Souza was former Maharastra Chief Seccretary and activist.Teesta Setalva member of PIPFDTeesta Setalvad married to Javed AnandTeesta and Javed run Sabrang Communications.Javed Anand is General Secretary of Muslims for Secular Democracy { ?? }Javed Akhtar is spokesperson for Muslims for Secular DemocracyJaved Akhtar married to Shabana AzmiKaran Thapar owns ITVITV produces shows for BBCKaran Thapar's father was General Pran Nath Thapar COAS during 1962 war, when India lost under his watch.Karan Thapar was very good friend of Benazir Bhutto and Asif Ali Zardari.Benazir Bhutto was Pakistan's Prime Minister.Benazir Bhutto's father was Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.Z.A.Bhutto served as Pakistan's President.A.A.Zardar is the current Pakistani's President.Karan Thapar's Mama was married to Nayantara Sahgal.Nayantar Sahgal is daughter of Vijayalakshmi Pandit.Vijayalakshmi Pandit was sister of Jawharlal Nehru.Medha Patkar is a leading spokesperson for Narmada Bacho Andolan.NBA was helped by Patrick McCully of International Rivers (formerly Internal Rivers Network.)Angana Chatterjee was on the board of IRNDipti Bhatnagar was an Intern/Volunteer at IRN.Dipti Bhatnagar is an activist at NBA.Dr. Angana Chatterjee part of PROXSAPROXSA mother-ship of FOILASHA endorsed by FOILSandeep Pandey co-founder of Asha for education (ASHA)Dr. Angana Chatterjee is married to Richard ShapiroRichard Shapiro is Director and Associate Professor of the Grad. Anthropology Prgm at CIISShubh Mathur co-wrote a letter with Angana on 'Humanitarian Crisis in J&K'Biju Matthew is co-founder of FOIL.Vijay Prasad is co-founder of FOIL.Vijay Prasa co-authored with Angana Chatterjee and wrote against IDRF.ASHA has association with AIDAID works with FOSAFOSA started by a Pakistani - Ali Hasan Cemendtaur.Amitava Kumar associated with FOILFOIL & FOSA opposed California Text Book Edits.California Text Book Edits was opposed by Michael Witzel.M.Witzel is Wales Professor of Sanskrit at Harvard University.Rahul Bose is brother-in-law of Khalid Ansari.Khalid Ansari is the Chairman of Mid-Day Group of Publication based in Mumbai.Khalid Ansari is Chairman of M.C.Media Ltd.M.C.Media Ltd. has a join-venture with BBC for FM radio brodcasting.Khalid Ansari's father was Abdul Hameed Ansari.A.H.Ansari was a freedom fighter and active Congressman.Dr.John Dayal worked as a journalist with the N.Delhi edition of Mid-Day.Narasimhan Ram is the Editor-in-Chief of 'The Hindu'.N.Ram's first wife was Susan.Susan, an Irish, was in charge of Oxford University Press publications in India.N.Ram and Susan's daughter is Vidya Ram.Vidya Ram is a journalist.N.Ram is now married to Mariam.N.Ram, Jennifer Arul and K.M.Roy participated in closed door Catholic Bishops Conference of India in Thrissur, Kerala.Jennifer Arul is the Resident Editor and Bureau Chief in South India for NDTV.Jennifer Arul is Chief Operating Office for Astro Awani - Indonesian news and information channel.K.M.Roy was a reporter in ‘The Hindu’K.M.Roy is the General Editor of the group of the ‘Mangalam’ Publications.Mangalam Group of Publications was started by M.C.VargheseK.M.Roy received the ‘All India Catholic Union Lifetime Award’All India Catholic Union’s National Vice President is Dr.John Dayal.Dr.John Dayal is also Secretary General of All India Christian Council (AICC)AICC’s President is Dr. Joseph D’souzaDr. Joseph D’souza founded Dalit Freedom Network (USA)Dr.Joseph D’Souza participated in the inaugural Religious Freedom DayThe Religious Freedom Day was attended by former Republican Sentor Rick SantorumAICC claims Confederation of SC/ST Organizations (India) as a sister organization.AICC claims Christian Solidarity Worldwide (UK) as a sister organization.AICC claims Release International (UK) as a sister organization.Release International states it supplies bibles and literature to meet the need of growth and evangelism.Dalit Freedom Network’s partner’s with Operation Mobilization India.OM India’s South India Regional Director is Kumar SwamyKumar Swamy is the State President of Communal Harmony Committee.Kumar Swamy serves with Karnataka State Human Rights Commission.OM India’s North India Regional Director is Moses Parmar.Moses Parmar serves as North India Public Relations officer of the All India Christian Council (AICC)OM seeks to plant and strengthen churches in areas of the world where Christ is least known.OM ministries work with Dalit-Bahujan people in India.Operation Mercy Charitable Company (OMCC) grew out of OM IndiaOMCC works with Dalit Freedom Network.DFN has Dr. Kancha Illaiah on its Advisory Board.Dr. Kancha Illaiah is a Professor in Osmania University, Hyderbad.DFN has William Armstrong on its Advisory Board.William Armstrong is a former US Senator from Colarado (Republican).William Armstrong is currently the President of Colorado Christian University.Colorado Christian University’s one of the strategic objective is to share the love of Christ around the World.DFN has Udit Raj on its Advisory Board.Udit Raj claims Joseph Pitts as a great friend of India.Joseph Pitts is a Republican US Congressman from Pennsylvannia.Joseph Pitts sent a letter to Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State –USA, requesting USA to deny visa to N.Modi.Joseph Pitts has led a Congressional delegation to Pakistan & India.Joseph Pitts is Founder and Co-Chairman of the ‘Kashmir Forum’.Joseph Pitts along with Congressman John Conyers introduced legislation condemning actions of N.Modi.John Conyers is Congressman from Michigan’s 14th congressional district.The 14th district contains Dearbon, a major city.Dearbon has the largest Arab Americans for a city of its size.Udit Raj is member of National Integration Council, Government of India.Udit Raj is National Chairman of Buddha Education Foundation.Udit Raj is National Chairman of All India Confederation of SC/ST Organizations.Udit Raj leads Dalit International FoundationUdit Raj leads Lord Buddha Club.Udit Raj was part of an international Steering Committee on KashmirMajid Tramboo promoted the Steering Committee.DFN has Baroness Caroline Cox on its Advisory Board.Baroness Caroline Cox is Deputy Speaker, House of Lords, England.Suhasini Haidar is daughter of Subramanian SwamySuhasini Haidar is daughter-in-law of Salman HaidarNadira Alvi married V S NaipaulNadira Alvi, a journalist, is sister of recently assassinated Maj Gen Amir Faisal Alvi, the ex-chief of Pakistan's elite SSG“Resalat” is a Tehran-based Persian daily.“Ettela’at” is another Tehran-based Persian daily.“Resallat” and “Ettela’at”signed MoU with “Siyasat” and “Munif”Siyasat and Munif are Hyderbad, Andhra Pradesh based dailies.Toseeh is another Persian daily.Toseeh has tied up with Vaarta.Vaarta is one of the dailies from A.G.A.Publications Pvt Ltd.A.G.A Publications Pvt Ltd is one of the companies in Sanghi GroupSanghi Group was co-promoted by Gireesh Sanghi with his brothers.Gireesh Sanghi is Congress M.P, Rajaya SabhaGireesh Sanghi is All India Vaish Federation National President.Mahendra Mohan Gupta is on the Advisory Board of AIVFMahendra Mohan Gupta is Chairman of Dainik Jagran GroupRamoji Group is headed by Ramoji RaoRamoji Rao is Founder & Chairman of EenaduEenadu is the largest Telugu news daily in Andhra Pradesh.Ramoji Group also owns ETV Network.ETV Network produces content in Telugu, Bangla, Marathi, Kannada, Oriya, Gujarati, Urdu & Hindi.Ramoji is reported to be close to Chandra Babu Naidu and supported of Telugu Desam Party.Ushodaya Enterprises Pvt. Ltd’s parent company is Ramoji Group.Blackstone Group is reported to have invested Rs600 crore in UEL.Deccan Chronicle Holdings Ltd brings out The Deccan Chronicle newspaper.DCHL also brings out “Andhra Bhoomi” a telugu newspaper.DCHL also brings out “Asian Age”.DCHL became a publishing parter of ‘The New York Times’.DCHL began publishing ‘The International Herald Tribune’T.Venkatram Reddy is the Chairman of DCHL.T.Venkatram Reddy is fromer MP, Rajhya Sabha from Congress.M.J.Akbar was Editor-in-Chief of Deccan Chronicle and Asian Age.M.J.Akbar is Founder and Chairman of the fortnightly the Covert.M.J. Akbar worked at ‘Times of India’, ‘Sunday’ & ‘The Telegraph’M.J.Akbar was an Congress MLA from 1989 to 1991.M.J.Akbar joined The Brookings Institution, Washington in 2006, as a Visiting Fellow on U.S. Policy Towards the Islamic World.M.J.Akbar was a member of the ‘Forum of Islamic Scholars and Intellectual’ held in Makkha al-Mukaramma in 2005.M.J.Akbar’s wife is Mallika Joseph.Mallika Joseph worked at Times of India.Y.S.Rajasekhara Reddy is the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.YSR Reddy is from the Congress party (INC).YSR Reddy’s father, Raja Reddy, setup a degree college and a Polytechnic in Pulivendula.YSR Reddy has said that his one year study at Andhra Loyola College (ALC), a Jesuit institution, influenced him so much that he handed over the Pulivendula colleges to the Loyola Group.The YS family has established several educational institutions in Andhra Pradesh.YSR Reddy’s daughter is Sharmila.Sharmila married Anil Kumar, Anil Kumar converted to Christianity after the marriage.Anil Kumar set up “Anil World Evangelism” and is an active Evangelist.YSR Reddy’s son is YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.YS Jagan is a youth Congress Leader.YS Jagan is Chairman of Jagati Publications Pvt. Ltd.Bhumna Karunakara Reddy is close to YSR Reddy.Karunakara Reddy is the Chairman of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam.JPPL publishes the newspaper Sakshi.Chandra Babu Naidu has claimed that Lanco group was forced to invest in JPPL.L. Sridhar is alleged to have made the investment from Lanco Group.L Sridhar is Lanco Infratech’s Vice ChairmanL Sridhar’s brother is L.Rajagopal.L.Rajagopal joined Congress in 2003.L Rajagopal is the son-in-law of P.Upendra.P.Upendra is a former Minister from Congress.Lanco Group’s Chairman is L. RajagopalAndhra Prabha is a telugu newspaper started in 1938.Andhra Prabha is owned by The New Indian Express Group.Andhra Jyothi is a telugu newspaper.Andhra Jyothi’s Managing Director is Vemuri Radhakrishna.SUN TV Network is owned by Kalanidhi Maran.Kalanidhi Maran is the Chairman & Managing Director of SUN TV Network.SUN TV network owns: Sun TV, Gemini TV, Teja TV, Surya TV, Kiran TV, Udaya TV, Surjo TV among other channels.Kalanidhi Maran owns the tamil daily ‘Dinakaran’.Dinakaran was started by a former DMK Minister K.P.Kandasamy.Kalanidhi Maran’s brother is Dayanidhi Maran.Dayanidhi Maran was Minister of Communications and IT in the UPA government.Kalanidhi Maran’s father was Murasoli Maran.Murasoli Maran was a Union Minister from the DMK party.Murasoli Maran edited a tamil daily ‘Murasoli’.Murasoli Maran was an editor to ‘The Rising Sun’ a English weekly.Murasoli Maran as a publisher published the following tamil magazines: Kungumam, Muththaram, Vannathirai & Sumangali.Murasoli Maran’s uncle is M.Karunanidhi.M.Karunanidhi is Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, from the DMK party.M.Karunanidhi launched Kalaignar TV in 2007.M.K.Azhagiri owns Kalaignar TV.M.K.Azhagiri is M.Karunanidhi’s son.M.K.Stalin is another son of the M.Karunanidhi..M.K.Stalin was named after Joseph Stalin.Joseph Stalin was the authoritarian leader of the Soviet Union.M.K.Stalin is the Minister for Rural Development and Local Administration in Tamil Nadu.Kanimozhi is one of the daughters of M.Karunanidhi.Kanimozhi was a sub-editor for the ‘The Hindu’.Kanimohi was Editor in Charge of ‘Kungumam’ a tamil weekly.Kanimozhi became a Rajya Sabha member in 2007.Kanimozhi conducted programs in SUN TV and Vijay TV.Kanimozhi’s second husband G.Aravindan is Singapore based Tamil literary figure.Dina Thanthi a tamil daily was founded bu Si.Pa.Aditanar.Aditanar’s second son is Sivanthi Athithan.Sivanthi Athithan owns Dina Thanthi.Aditanar had launced the tamil evening daily ‘Malai Murasu’.Aditanar set up Malar Publications Ltd.Malar Publications Ltd. Brings out the tamil evening newspaper Malai Malar.Balasubramanian Adityan son of Sivanthi Athithan managers Malar Publications Ltd.B.Adityan set up ‘Air Media Network Pvt Ltd’ (AMN)AMN is into cable distribution, content productions and broadcasting.AMN owns AMN TVAMN has produced content for FM radio, All India Radio, Doordarshan, Vijay TV.Dina Mani is a tamil newspaper.Dina Mani is owned by The New Indian Express Group. (NIEG)NIEG owns Kannadaprabha, Andhraprabha, Malaylamvarikha, Indiavarta and Expressbuzz.NIEG also owns Cinemaexpress & TamilanexpressSTAR Vijay TV is a tamil TV channel.Vijay TV is owned by STAR TVSTAR TV is owned by News Corporation based in Hong Kong.News Corporation is owned by Rupert Murdoch.Fox Entertainment Group is a subsidiary of News Corporation.FEG owns Fox News Channel, in USA.Fox News is a conservative, pro-church Republican Party channel in USNews Corporation owns the The Wall Street JournalJaya TV is a tamil TV channel.Jaya TV is owned by Jaya Network.Jaya Network is owned by J.JayalalithaJayalalitha was the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (AIADMK party)Makkal TV is owned by Makkal TholaikatchiAct Now for Harmony and Democracy’s (ANHAD) Founding and Managing Trustee is Shabnam HashmiShabnam’s father was a freedom fighter.Shabnam went to USSR on a cultural exchange scholarship for six years.Shabham is married to Gauhar Raza.KN Panikkar is a Founding trustee of ANHADPanikkar is an Indian Marxist Historian.Panikkar was the Vice Chancellor of Sree Sankarcharya Sanskrit University, Kalady, Kerala.Panikkar received Homi Bhabha Senior Fellowship.Panikkar was awarded Padma Bhushan.Harsh Mander is a Founding trustee of ANHADHarsh Mander is a Human Rights activist, author and was in the IAS.Harsh Mander was close to Ajit JogiHarsh Mander, born into Sikh faith, was in-charge of the relief camps in Indore during the 1984 riots.Harsh Mander served as Managing Director of SC/ST Finance Corporation.Harsh Mander was the Director of ActionAid India.Ajit Jogi was the Chief Minister of Chhatisgarh.Ajit Jogi is from the Congress party (INC).It is claimed that after Ajit Jogi, a tribal Christian became the CM the rate of Christian conversions has gone up.Harsh Mander received the 2002 “Rev. M.A.Thomas National Human Rights Award”Rev M.A.Thomas National Human Rights Award was awarded by “Vigil India Movement.Shubha Mudgal is a trustee of ANHADShubha’s parents Skand and Jaya Gupta were professors of English literature at Allahabad University.Shubha’s grand-father Prof. P.C.Gupta was also a professor at Allahabad University.Shubha’s first husband was Justice Mukul Mudgal of Delhi High Court.Shubha is currently married to Aneesh Pradan, a tabla player.Shubha received Padma Shri.Shubha has received several awards in the field of music.Kamla Bhasin is a trustee of ANHADKamla is an Indian feminist.Kamla was a lecturer in the Orientation Centre of the German Foundation for Developing Countries, Bad Honnef, West Germany.Kamla was the Development Secretary of Seva Mandir, Udaipur.Saeed Akhtar Mirza is a trustee of ANHADSaeed Mirza is a writer and director in Hindi films and television.Saeed Mirza’s father is Akhtar MirzaAkhtar Mirza was a noted film script writer.Asianet Communications Limited (ACL) has a majority stake in Asianet TV.ACL is owned by Jupiter Entertainment Ventures Limited (JEVL).JEVL is a subsidiary of Jupiter Capitals Ltd.The other media outlets of ACL are: Asianet News, Asianet Plus, Best FM 95, Asianet Suvarana, Suvarna News, Asianet Sitara and Sitara News.Rajeev Chandrasekhar is the Chairman & Editor-in-chief.Rajeev Chandrasekar entered Rajya Sabha in 2006.Rajeev Chandrasekar’s uncle is M.K.NarayananM.K.Narayanan is National Security AdvisorM.K.Narayanan headed the Intelligence Bureau from 1987 to 1990.Malayalam daily, Mathrubhumi, is owned by M P VirendrakumarVirendrakumar is a MP through Janata Dal (Secular), from KeralaIn Kerala, Deva Gowda's Janata Dal (Secular) party is a constituent of Left Democratic FrontLatest Editor of Mathrubhumi is Kesava MenonKesava Menon was the Associate Editor of The Hindu before taking up this positionShashi Tharoor is an Indian Diplomat.Shashi is the son of late Chandran Tharoor.Chandran was a journalist working for Amrita Bazar Patrika of Calcutta.Chandran headed "The Statesman" in 1959.Shashi Tharoor is going to contest as INC (Congress) candidate in 2009.Ishaan and Kanishk are twin sons of Shashi.Ishaan lives in Hong Kong and works for "Time" magazine.Kanishk lives in London and works for "OpenDemocracy".Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan is a sister of Shashi.Smita Tharoor is another sister of Shashi.Ragini Tharoor Srinivasan is daughter of Shobha.Ragini is the editor of "India Currents".Shobha writes in "India Currents"India Currents is an Indian American monthly.Shashi's first wife was Tilottama Mukherji from Kolkata.Tilottama was/is a journalist and scholar.Sahshi's second wife is Christ Giles, a Canadian.Christa is Deputy Secretary of the United Nations Disarmament Commission.Mukundan Unni was Shashi's maternal uncle.Tharoor Parameswar was Chandran Tharoor's elder brother.Parameswar was the founder publisher of the Indian edition of "Reader's Digest".Param resurrected & presided the Advertising Club of Bombay.Param was also the Advertising Manager of Amrita Bazar Patrika.Shobhana Bhartia is the Chairperson and Editorial Director of Hindustan Times groupShobhana is the daughter of KK Birla; grand daughter of GD Birla.KK Birla joined INC (Congress) party in 1984.KK Birla was later elected Rajya Sabha member in 1984.Shobhana is married to Shyam Sunder BhartiaShyam is the Chariman of Jubliant Organosys Ltd, a Pharma companyShyam is the son of late Mohan Lal Bhartia.Shamit Bhartia and Priyavrat Bhartia are their sonsShamit is a Director at the Hindustan Times group.Shobhana was nominated for Rajya Sabha in 2006.Shobhana is politically affiliated to INC (Congress).She was nominated by UPA headed by Sonia Gandhi.Shobhana was a 2005 Padma Shree award. This was after UPA formed the government in 2004.Priyavrat is a Director at the Hindustan Times group.Shamit heads franchises of Dominoes Pizza and Hot Breads.Shamit also looks after the chain store ‘Monday to Sunday’Shobhana is a close family friend of Scindias.Late Madhavrao Scindia was a Minister from the INC (Congress) party.Jyotiraditya Scindia is Madhavrao’s son.Jyotiraditya is a MP from the INC (Congress) party.Karan Thapar writes a weekly column in Hindustan Times.Vir Sanghvi writes two columns ‘Counter Point’ and ‘Rude Food’Barkha Dutt writes the column ‘Third Eye’Sonal Kalra is a editor of HT City a supplement of Hindustan Times and writes a column.-------------------------------------- Joseph Bain D'Souza was CEO of a housing project in which Mrinal Gore, PB Samant and Suresh Narvekar were trustees.- N. Ram was a founder of Students Federation of India, CPI(M)'s student wing.- N. Ram's niece is married to Dayanidhi Maran.- Joseph D'Souza is the head of All India Christian Council.- Dalit Freedom Network operates out of a church in Colorado. Melody Divine is part of DFN and Melody Divine works for Arizona Congressman Trent Franks.- Joseph D'Souza is listed in Pat Robertson's 700 club, a group for fundamentalist Christians.- Dalit Freedom Network is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.------------All credits to Swamy G of http://www.india-forum.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=2209
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Congress Deserve To Lose

Congress deserves to lose India’s electionsBy Razeen Sally , The Financial Times, LondonPublished: April 15 2009 21:55 Last updated: April 15 2009 21:55Indians will from Thursday begin heading to the polls in a month-long election for a new government. The Congress party is standing on the record of the government it has led since 2004. But polls are taking place when the Indian economy has taken a sharp turn for the worse, in a climate of global economic crisis. This exposes the do-nothing, zero-reform record of Manmohan Singh, prime minister, and his government. More generally, it lays bare India’s huge reform gaps and its brittle, decaying institutions. Finally, it deflates the “India hype” peddled by smooth-talking upper-caste politicians, ambassadors, businessmen, management consultants and some academics. A word about India hype. It highlights high-end services, and now manufacturing sectors, with their globalising, world-beating companies. But it overlooks reform deficits in agriculture, services and manufacturing. It talks of “Chindia”, the notion that India plays in the same league as China as an emerging superpower – which is pure myth. Not least, it glosses over the record of the present Congress-led government.There have been practically no market reforms since 2004, save for the opening of domestic civil aviation. Nothing has moved on privatisation, the reduction of government equity in banks and insurance companies, pensions, competition regulation or the administration of subsidies. Industrial tariffs have come down, but otherwise external protection has not been reduced. India remains the most protectionist large emerging market. Worse, there has been reform backsliding and reversal. Fiscal restraint, written into law in 2003, has been thrown to the winds. Now, with an economic downturn, the consolidated government deficit is projected to rise above 10 per cent of gross domestic product. Funding for much-needed infrastructure projects will suffer. Controlled pricing of petroleum products was reintroduced in 2008. Off-budget expenditure has increased significantly, especially through populist measures to support rural employment and the energy sector.The government’s response to the present global economic crisis was to introduce further market-distorting restrictions, including higher tariffs, anti-dumping duties and assorted non-tariff import barriers.Finally, the Congress party entered the general election campaign with pledges to expand its hugely wasteful rural employment guarantee programme and increase food subsidies. The government has squandered the boom years, left the country more vulnerable to malign global economic conditions and compromised prospects for a healthy recovery. But Manmohan Singh and his “dream team” have been given an easy ride: they have escaped blame, especially outside India. The conventional excuse is that their hands are tied by Sonia Gandhi and her Congress coterie, and by coalition politics.This explanation just does not wash. Mr Singh has impeccable academic credentials and is by all accounts incorruptible. He deserves credit for his performance as finance minister in the 1990s – although credit should also go to Narasimha Rao, then prime minister, who took the tough decisions.But Mr Singh has proved a hopeless decision-maker as prime minister. Sadly, he proves the rule that academics should generally be “on tap” but not “on top”.The whole reform programme relies on the prime minister himself. Mr Rao and A.B. Vajpayee proved their mettle, despite heavy political constraints. Mr Singh has failed; he should bear much of the blame. The Congress party does not deserve to be re-elected and the dream team does not deserve to continue in office. An alternative BJP-led government may do better if it has a decisive leader with a core of able reformers. It will not if its leader follows the dictates of short-term opportunism and messy coalition politics.Nevertheless, the failures of the Congress-led government should be put into a larger institutional context. The Indian state, led by a venal political-bureaucratic elite, remains unreformed. State institutions – the political class, political parties, parliaments, the bureaucracy, the judiciary – have got worse at both national and state levels. Since the late 1980s, “stealth” reforms have taken place outside the state. But India cannot be expected to grow fast with such shaky foundations. The upshot is that much-needed market reforms cannot continue to skirt round the reform of the state itself. Politically, that is the hardest nut to crack. The writer is director of the European Centre for International Political Economy

Why Ex Servicemen should be heard

The Tribune Thursday, April 16, 2009, Chandigarh, IndiaIt is true that the defence forces have their conduct rules and are known to those who intend to join the services (Letters to the Editor, “Veterans’ agitation” by Neeraj Kishore Sharma, April 7). But does it mean that the armed forces have to be mute spectators to their continuous degradation in status and pay vis-a-vis other government employees as has been happening in India over the past decades? The Sixth Pay Commission was the proverbial last straw on the camel’s back. Serving in defence forces may not be mandatory but so is the case in other departments of the government. If the civilian employees can indulge in agitations on flimsy grounds, why can’t the retired defence personnel take recourse to peaceful protests to highlight the injustice and humiliation being routinely heaped on them? Are they bonded slaves or lumpen elements to be shooed and snubbed at will? “One rank, one pension”, the main demand of the veterans, is a sensitive issue because of the specific ethos of the defence personnel and the very early age at which most of them are edged out and made to retire as compared to the civilians. Frankly, a nation that ignores and insults its soldiers, sooner or later comes to grief. Do we want this to happen to India? WG-CDR S C KAPOOR (retd), Noida

Offence is the Best Defence

An Answer to Congress on Kandahar
by ravilochanan on Wed Apr 15, 2009 2:20 pm
I simply do not understand as to why Advaniji and the BJP is unnecessarily going on the defence on Kanadahar issue. Why is Advaniji saying that he did not know about the release of terrorists? It is NOT a proper answer to the criticisms.The plane was hijacked from Kathmandu (NEPAL) not from Indian soil. Therefore, it was not a security lapse on the part of the Indian government. After that, the government did its best to safely bring back all the passengers.But what about the following episodes during the Congress rule:1. Did not Congress exchange terrorists for the life of a SINGLE lady, the daughter of M.M. Sayeed? Considering that Sayeed and his family do not have an inkling of patriotic feeling towards the Indian nation, how can it ever be justified? Atleast the BJP government brought back the 'TRUE' citizens of this nation not some secessionist.2. What about the Hazratbal incident? Why did the Congress adopt different practices in the case of HAzratbal mosque unlike waht it did with the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) of Amritsar?Any answers there?Why is the BJP not pointing out these issues?As for the Parliament attack, the Congress has been holding back the death sentence of Afzal. What right do they have to talk about reacting to terrorist attacks? BJP opposes terrorism very clearly. But Congress simply doesnt care about the subject unless it feels that the issue is going to affect its votebank.Final attack: What is the stage of investigations into the Mumbai train attack, Assam multiple blasts etc?? How many people have been chargesheeted and convicted? How many have been arrested?Dont we see the true face of Congress in the fact that Mumbai train attack (in which hundreds died) is not investigated much but Malegaon blasts (less than 10 died here) was given complete attention over all other terror issues?Hit the Congress hard. Dont go on the defensive. We are doing the same mistakes done by the Indian kings during the various invasions. Please understand that a good offense is the best defense.

26/11 responsible for my decision to contest polls

I was born in a small village called Gorur in Hassan district of Karnataka. My father was a poor school teacher and a farmer as well. I went to a Kannada-medium school till Class V after which I was selected at the Sainik School in Bijapur which had just been set up to cater to students in Karnataka. Incidentally, I failed the first time I appeared for the entrance exam as the paper was in English of which I did not know a word. My headmaster, however, was a very determined man and he wrote to the defence ministry asking them how they hoped to recruit boys from villages in South India if the paper was held in English and not in their mother tongue. I was able to appear again for the exam, this time in Kannada and that's how I got selected.
After completing school, I got selected to the NDA (National Defence Academy) and went on to be commissioned in the Indian Army where I spent the next eight years and fought in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation war. I quit the Army to come back to my village and take up farming. I got into sericulture and eco-farming. Later, I set up Deccan Charter, India's first private helicopter charter company which was followed by India's first low-cost airline Air Deccan. My dream was to have an inclusive India with equitable growth for which connectivity was crucial.
I have been involved in different enterprises, in different fields and have managed to build meaningful businesses which contributed to nation-building. Over the past two decades, I have been a critic of several Government policies and systems and have worked with successive Governments on policy for reforms and progressive measures, particularly in the aviation sector.
I have decided to enter the electoral fray because I believe that India today is crying out for change, a change from divisive party politics steeped in communal and caste votes which has made corruption and ill-governance a way of life in this country. Some of the key issues that made me decide were the Mumbai terror attacks where we appeared to be a failed state, with a bunch of terrorists taking over our very lives. Another was the pub attack in Karnataka and the moral policing goons who want to decide how the women in this country should dress or behave! The sight of women being insulted, with all of us watching, shook me from my reverie. The need of the hour is in believing that you can make a change and not watch from the outside and criticise. If we want a safe future for us and our future generations, we have to stop this degeneration that is taking place in our public life.
I am convinced that today our greatest need is to rid society of communalism and casteism; eradicate corruption and bring in good governance for development and fulfill the ideals on which this nation was formed. I want to make a political and developmental platform which will represent all communities and all religions. I want to drive my vision for India, for Karnataka and for Bangalore on a foundation which has two wheels of change - social harmony and good governance. These are the two pillars of a strong nation. Right governance will not only ensure communal harmony but also the right policies and systems which support the economy and citizens without having to resort to bribes and sycophancy. The opportunity for a happier future for us lies in getting these very fundamentals of our social fabric right.
I have decided to contest the Lok Sabha elections as an Independent candidate. I did not choose a party as every candidate who represents a party does so by forfeiting his right to think! Because only the high command for every party thinks and plans and the voice of the constituents are never heard. I am planning to set up citizens' committee at constituency levels to bring in participative governance and be the voice of the constituency. I am asked time and again as to what change can an Independent bring about? Well, we have to begin somewhere; Gandhiji brought about a change in an era where there were no modes of communication but every clarion call of his for non-violence brought scores of supporters on the streets and one of the biggest movements in history was created. You and I can make this change possible. This begins with exercising your vote: Cast your vote but do not vote for your caste. By Capt Gopinath

Teestas Act Play

NGOs, Teesta spiced up Gujarat riot incidents: SIT14 Apr 2009, 1213 hrs IST, Dhananjay Mahapatra, TNNNEW DELHI: The Special Investigation Team responsible for the arrests of those accused in Gujarat riots has severely censured NGOs and social activist Teesta Setalvad who campaigned for the riot victims. In a significant development, the SIT led by former CBI director R K Raghavan told the Supreme Court on Monday that the celebrated rights activist cooked up macabre tales of wanton killings. Many incidents of killings and violence were cooked up, false charges were levelled against then police chief P C Pandey and false witnesses were tutored to give evidence about imaginary incidents, the SIT said in a report submitted before a Bench comprising Justices Arijit Pasayat, P Sathasivam and Aftab Alam. The SIT said it had been alleged in the Gulbarg Society case that Pandey, instead of taking measures to protect people facing the wrath of rioteers, was helping the mob. The truth was that he was helping with hospitalisation of riot victims and making arrangements for police bandobast, Gujarat counsel, senior advocate Mukul Rohtagi, said quoting from the SIT report. Rohtagi also said that 22 witnesses, who had submitted identical affidavits before various courts relating to riot incidents, were questioned by the SIT which found that they had been tutored and handed over the affidavits by Setalvad and that they had not actually witnessed the riot incidents. The SIT also found no truth in the following incidents widely publicised by the NGOs: * A pregnant Muslim woman Kausar Banu was gangraped by a mob, who then gouged out the foetus with sharp weapons * Dumping of dead bodies into a well by rioteers at Naroda Patiya * Police botching up investigation into the killing of British nationals, who were on a visit to Gujarat and unfortunately got caught in the riots Rohtagi said: "On a reading of the report, it is clear that horrendous allegations made by the NGOs were false. Stereotyped affidavits were supplied by a social activist and the allegations made in them were found untrue." Obviously happy with the fresh findings of the SIT which was responsible for the recent arrests of former Gujarat minister Maya Kodanani and VHP leader Jaideep Patel, Rohtagi tried to spruce up the image of the Modi administration, which was castigated in the Best Bakery case by the apex court as "modern day Neros". He was swiftly told by the Bench that but for the SIT, many more accused, who are freshly added, would not have been brought to book. The Bench said there was no room for allegations and counter-allegations at this late stage. "In riot cases, the more the delay, there is likelihood of falsity creeping in. So, there should be a designated court to fast track the trials. Riot cases should be given priority because feelings run high having a cascading effect," it said and asked for suggestions from the Gujarat government, Centre, NGOs and amicus curiae Harish Salve, who said the time had come for the apex court to lift the stay on trials into several post-Godhra riot cases. While additional solicitor general Gopal Subramaniam agreed with the court that public prosecutors should be selected in consultation with Raghavan, counsel Indira Jaising said there should be a complete regime for protection of witnesses as the same government, which was accused of engineering the riots, was in power now. Salve said that he would consult Raghavan and let the court know about a witness protection system for post-Godhra riot cases. The court asked the parties to submit their suggestions within a week. dhananjay.mahapatra@timesgroup.com http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NGOs-Teesta-spice