Birthday and the Birthday Message....

It is ‘birthday’ time for the ruling party in Karnataka as it completes one year. And we find the government blowing its own trumpet, well almost as a team (though seven ministers were missing)! Though there are contrasting views on the ‘why’ of this celebration, the more important question is about the cost of this celebration. Does the government really care for the taxpayers’ money? Would the citizens ever come to know the total expenditure incurred on this celebration?

The Chief Minister and his team should know that the people will judge a government not on the basis of its promises but on the basis of its performance. The BJP government headed by Mr B S Yeddyurappa did make a lot of promises. But an assessment of its performance reveals many unpleasant things like church attacks, pub attack and sporadic incidents of communal violence and these are not the kind things any government will be proud of.

Even if we excuse the government for all its failures of one year, however grave the mistake by the government and however difficult to excuse the government for it, the uncertainty remains whether such unpleasant events would recur or would such unpleasant events disappear and pave the way for a better and peaceful Karnataka? Would the remaining years too turn out to be equally futile? Would the government, in future too, be found celebrating its achievements which weren’t there?

Mr Chief Minister you have said that the people have given you a birthday gift in the form of 19 loksabha seats. What is going to be your gift to the people of Karnataka for the next four years? Remember not to spend the taxpayers’ money for redundant and needless practices like ‘anniversary celebrations’, ‘gangajal distribution’ or ‘pilgrimage subsidy’ but for nobler causes like healthcare, education, poverty alleviation and employment generation.

Celebrating the Release of the Prisoner of Conscience…

When Dr Binayak Sen was still in prison, noted film maker Anand Patwardhan wrote an article describing Dr Binayak Sen as the prisoner of conscience. Given the circumstances that led to his arrest it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call him so. It has been a week since his release and all over the world the human rights activists are elated that the two year old ordeal has ended for this man who worked for no hidden agenda other than the agenda of peace.

This country is not unknown for illegal arrests of citizens who dared to speak against the state. As admitted by Dr Sen himself there are hundreds of such heroic souls languishing in the corners of jails throughout the world. The gross human rights violations, perpetrated by the State, would have gone unnoticed but for these noble men and women who risked their lives to expose such abuses.

Dr Sen has repeatedly said that he is not a Naxal sympathizer. In an interview which he gave while he was still in jail, he makes it clear that he doesn’t endorse violence whether by the State or the Naxals. Again in another interview which he gave after his release from the jail, he says that he was targeted by the State government primarily for criticizing the Salwa Judum and encounter deaths. A clear mismatch between the crime and punishment!

Indeed Dr Sen’s release is a victory to the organizations that speak out against the human rights violations perpetrated by the state but it remains to be seen whether this would put an end to state’s excesses in the name of putting an end to Naxalism!

The Victory March and the Victory Clash!

What a victory for the BJP in Karnataka and what a way to celebrate this victory. Mr Nalin Kumar Kateel, the newly elected MP from Mangalore, says that he would continue to work for the hindutva ideologies.

Mr Nalin Kumar Kateel please clarify to the people of your constituency as to what you mean by the hindutva ideologies. Does it mean more and more attacks on the minorities or would you take this coastal land back to its glorious days of peaceful coexistence of different communities?

Finally the Human Rights Activist Mr Binayak Sen is Released

Development at What and Whose Cost?

Look at this. Barack Obama can say that ‘It's important to listen to what scientists have to say, even when it's inconvenient, especially when it's inconvenient’ but our political leaders in India don’t seem to attach any importance to it. See for example the case of 200 MW Gundia hydel power project in Hassan, Karnataka. Being located in the Western Ghats one expects that the least a government can do is to get a clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry. Unfortunately the Karnataka government is going ahead with the project without listening to either the protesters or the experts from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry.

It is true that the present government harped on development and governance to come to power. Is this the kind of development this State is condemned to?

When will the Chief Minister and the KPCL listen?

For more on the project and the opposition to it click here.

Understanding the 'Intelligent' Voters in Karnataka

Understanding the 'Intelligent' Voters in Karnataka

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Special Economic Zones- Waves of Resistance

Amartya Sen-Think and Act

Confessions of an Optimist turned Pessimist!

The 15^th Loksabha election results have surprised one and all. The results suggest a clear mandate in favour of the Congress and the UPA. There are many theories which explain this turnaround by the Congress and the UPA.

The 15^th Loksabha elections were mainly fought on issues like security and stability. The voters have made their choice and have elected a government, though a coalition, that would provide them with security and stability. This, in general, is the trend in most parts of the country.

Coming down to Karnataka, however, the situation is different. The state has witnessed frequent incidents of communal disturbances particularly after the BJP was voted to power. This being the situation, there was a high likelihood of BJP biting the dust for its role, either tacit or explicit, in supporting its various outfits that sought to vitiate the communal harmony in the state.

Unfortunately, the results don’t reflect a rejection of the so called ‘communal’ party. Again, there are many theories to explain this trend. As per one theory, it is not that the majority of people voted for BJP but the majority of people voted for different secular parties/candidates and it was this split of secular votes that brought victory to the BJP.

While it may be true that in some constituencies (Bangalore and Mangalore) the floating population would have contributed to this swing in favour of BJP, but what about other constituencies where there is less likelihood of the presence of outside population (Chikkodi and Chitradurga)?

The theories apart, what is in store for the people of Karnataka now that 19 seats have gone the saffron way? Would some districts like Mangalore, Udupi, Chikmaglore, Davanagere and Hubli have a repeat of communal incidents? Would the BJP resort to hard core hindutva strategies and further malign the secular atmosphere in this state?

If instead, the BJP reinvents itself and works more aggressively on its promises of better governance and inclusive development???

Would this be a reality? When? 

Would I be a pessimist turned optimist? When?

Tatas.....Please save the turtles....

Recession yes but for whom?

The global financial crisis has taken its toll. Some even say it is worse than the depression of 1930s. Whatever the truth, we know that many companies have gone bankrupt. Lakhs of people have lost their jobs. But this global downturn hasn’t affected the present ruling government in Karnataka. The huge money spent on renovating and furnishing the ministers’ bungalows and then our chief minister’s official temple visits have cost the state exchequer over 3 crores.

The statistics reveal it all. In the eleven months after the BJP government came to power various ministers have spent over 3 crores of rupees just on renovation and furnishing of their bungalows. The chief minister tops the list by spending Rs 56.45 lakhs followed by Karunakar Reddy who has spent Rs 25 lakhs.

Add to this list the cost of official temple visits of Mr Yediyurappa, which is over 11 lakhs in just five months of his tenure as the Chief Minister of Karnataka!

link: http://www.prajavani.net/Content/Apr302009/state20090429126547.asp?section=updatenews

link http://www.prajavani.net/Content/Apr302009/state20090430126608.asp                       

We need to applaud the initiative of social activist Mr Bhimappa Gundappa Gadada who managed to obtain this information through RTI Act.

The better governance promised by the BJP government hasn’t become a reality even after being in the office for over 11 months now. Well, who knows what they meant by better performance? 

Election Manifestos and Millenium Development Goals- A Comparison

Review of Election Promises Made by Political Parties

View more presentations from endpoverty2015.

Source: http://endpoverty2015.org/inda_elections

Decoding the Loksabha Elections in Karnataka

With the completion of second phase of elections in Karnataka the fate of 427 leaders has been sealed. No doubt that this election has thrown up several interesting features in Karnataka.

‘Operation kamala’ which led to many leaders mainly from the Congress and JDS ‘converting’ to BJP. 

There were 45 crorepatis who contested in the 15^th loksabha elections!

There were four former chief ministers in fray.

A total of 427 candidates (there were only 172 in 2004) from 28 constituencies. Bangalore Central with 37 candidates had largest number of candidates and two constituencies, Chikkodi (7) and Bellary (7), had least number of candidates.

The very poor voter turnout in the first phase of elections held on 23rd April and Bangalore city witnessing only 46.6 per cent voter turnout.

The second phase of elections was more satisfactory in terms of voter turnout though it was marred by naxal threats in some areas.

As per the 2001 census data there are only three districts which have a sex ratio in favour of females, namely, Udupi (1130 females per 1000 males), Dakshina Kannada (1022/1000) and Hassan (1004/1000). Interestingly, these three districts had very high voter turnouts with Dakshina Kannada recording the highest voter turnout (72 %) followed by Hassan (68.5 %) and Udupi-Chikmangalore (62.5 %).  

With what has happened in Dakshina Kannada in the last few months (most vivid being the police beating many Christian women during the church attacks and the assault on women during the pub attack) this high voter turn out only reaffirms that many women have chosen the right way to give vent to their rage in terms of voting in high numbers. Three cheers to the women of Karnataka and especially to the women of Dakshina Kannada, Hassan and Udupi-Chikmangalore!

MRPL and its ‘High performance’

The Mangalore Refineries and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) claims to have won many awards and achieved many milestones in its official website. Unfortunately, for the local people around MRPL, the company’s ‘excellent performance’ has come at a very high cost. 

Take for example the latest oil leak which is said to have contaminated many drinking water wells at Atturkodi area of Kuttethur village. The company has failed to live by its promise of providing drinking water to the affected families.

Residents from the affected area say that the frequent oil leaks have not only affected their drinking water sources but also made redundant many paddy fields and areca nut cultivation.

Remember, MRPL is a stakeholder in the proposed Mangalore Special Economic Zone (MSEZ).

Residents wonder what is awaiting them in future!

            Source: Prajavani April 6, 2009

(link http://www.prajavani.net/Content/Apr62009/district20090405123167.asp)

The Deputy Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada Mr Ponnuraj’s has even suggested shutting down of the establishment if MRPL is to be blamed for the leak. In response, the Public Relations Officer Ms Lekshmi Kumaran is reported to have said that the Deputy Commissioner had all the powers to shut down the refinery as it is a public sector company! 

http://www.thehindu.com/2009/04/15/stories/2009041554770500.htm

This is how the company has brought about all its ‘high performance’!

 

An Agenda for the 'Victorious Team' from the 15th Loksabha Elections!

Agenda

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It is the election fever: But to whom shall we vote?

The Indian political landscape has undergone a sea change particularly in the recent years. Well, earlier it was said that Indians don’t cast their votes but vote their caste. (Political scientist Mr Yogendra Yadav terms it as one of the six myths of Indian Elections. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7973477.stm) Given the rising instances of hate speeches and hate campaigning our political leaders are engaging themselves in, it seems as though the caste factor has been relegated to the periphery. So it is the religion that has become the new avatar in the Indian political scene and has hogged much of the limelight instead of the caste or may be in addition to the caste!

It is not my argument that the people no longer vote their caste. If it were true, the credit would naturally be linked with the increased levels of literacy and development, among other factors. But as we see around, amidst higher literacy rates and the growth rates that this country has witnessed, the caste remains as an important factor in India.

But today, more than ever, it is the religion more than caste that has surfaced into our polity and created unprecedented havoc. The communal tensions have devastated many of the states. Jammu & Kashmir, Orissa, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujrath, Kerala, Tamilnadu, Karnataka are some of the states where the communal riots have been either frequent or large-scale.

So the question today is not whether people are going to vote their castes (this they have always done and they will continue to do to some degree!) but whether they are going to vote their religion at the dictates of the communalists? It would be quite in place to place on record the statements of some political leaders and some religious leaders.

Recently at the Hindu Samajotsava in Mangalore, many religious leaders called for a ‘Hindu vote bank’.

In the last three-four weeks we have repeatedly seen and heard of the drama that has unfolded with Varun Gandhi, who is one of the youth faces of BJP, making a anti- Muslim hate speech at an election rally in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh.

Ananth Kumar Hegde, a BJP candidate from Karwar in Karnataka has been issued a notice by the Election Commission for his anti-minority speech. He is reported to have said that “I have 63 criminal cases against me, and I am not afraid of one more. I don't need a single minority vote to win”

Prof B K Chandrashekar, a Congress Leader in Karnataka recently expressed his unhappiness stating that the Congress had neglected Brahmins by not giving any Lok sabha seats to them. He said that ‘though the Christian population is less than one per cent in Karnataka two LS seats have been given to them but the Brahmins who constitute 4 per cent of the population have not been given a single LS seat’.

And now Mr Ashok Sahu, former Police officer and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate for Orrissa's Kandhamal Lok Sabha constituency has been booked for his hate speeches against minorities. He is apparently untraceable and has gone underground!

Where is this democratic and secular country heading towards? Considering the fan following of communal leaders like Narendra Modi (of Gujarat carnage fame), Lal Krishna Advani (of Babri Masjid demolition fame), Pramod Muthalik, Praveen Togadia, Ashok Singhal, Varun Gandhi and many others, it sends shivers down the spine to imagine the cost of this hate speeches on the secular fabric of India.

The political scenario in Karnataka is most intriguing. The state has seen a steep rise in communal violence. There have been communal clashes in Mangalore, Mysore, Sira, Davanagere, Chikmangalore, Hubli, to name a few. It appears that the BJP has given a free rein to various Sangh Parivar outfits as the various outfits have been engaged, so to say, in a parallel administration. Whether it is conversion or cultural policing or cow slaughter it is these outfits that are on the forefront in ‘nabbing the culprits’. (Recently released report on ‘cultural policing in Dakshina Kannada’ by PUCL exposes the government failure by way of letting loose the various outfits which have brought disgrace to the State of Karnataka)

Even as we discuss about BJP rule being partisan, anti-minority and thus causing many communal disturbances, it is ironic that many leaders from other parties, especially the Congress, are joining BJP! In addition, there are two popular Kannada film actresses, Shruti and Tara, who have been campaigning for BJP! Are these actresses blind to the communal hatred unleashed by the BJP government during its rule in Karnataka or are they trying to adhere to the call given by Swamijis to promote a ‘Hindu vote bank’? 

It is a pity that religion is being pushed to the political sphere and politics is taking center stage in religious discourses. A large number of Indians have become mere spectators to this religious game that is played on the political field and political game that is being played in the religious sphere!

What will the Indian voter do this time around? Is s/he aware of the disturbing and dangerous scenario that is threatening to break the strong walls of Indian Secularism? Or will the communalists succeed in marching towards the portals of the parliament to embarrass Ambedkar, the great architect of our Constitution?

It remains to be seen how long the Indian voter would yield to the communal gimmicks so cleverly employed by the political and religious leaders.

Its a million dollar question indeed! What are the voters going to do this election? Will they cast their votes? Will they vote their caste? Or will they vote their religion?

Braving the onslaught of MSEZ

If one might say it, this is a very defiant story of Mr Gregory Patrao, an innovative and hard working farmer residing in Kalavar, Mangalore who is fighting tooth and nail against the illegal acquisition of his fertile agricultural land for Mangalore Special Economic Zone (MSEZ). He says ‘many farmers fell prey to the attractive packages promised by MSEZ which was published in papers and telecast on television. Promises apart, they were all thoroughly disappointed by the actual package. The people in this project area have been cheated by KIADB-MSEZ nexus by giving paltry compensation to the displaced people. This nexus is also responsible for grossly undervaluing the agricultural and horticultural wealth of the project area. Even when the people who lost their horticultural wealth were compensated, they were not paid as per 2007 rates fixed by the Department of Horticulture but were paid as per the 2003 rates. This is nothing but day robbery.’

Mr Gregory with his mother and nephew at their house in Kalavar, Mangalore

This is not for the first time that he is called to ‘sacrifice’ his land. He says ‘earlier I lost half an acre to MRPL. After losing my land when I applied for a job in MRPL, I was told that jobs would be given to only those who have lost their house and not those who have lost their land alone. Some of the people who protested for not being given jobs were arrested and put in Bellary jail. Everyone in this area knows that MRPL has cheated many people by snatching away their land and now it is the turn of MSEZ. Sadly, now MSEZ has some of the people who were earlier with MRPL like Mr A G Pai, who is the chief operating officer of MSEZ. This leaves us with no respite from the fraudulent practices of these companies who appear time and again to oppress the poor people.’

Mr Gregory recalls how in the late 80s he used to work for a salary of Rs 10 by helping the survey team which was finalizing the location for MRPL without knowing what this company was all about. He says ‘we were told that a good company would come up in the area and we were assured of jobs and other good facilities. But later the company erected a big wall and the company began operational but we have not yet received the jobs. What we have received from MRPL is only smoke and destruction of our environment by pollution.’

He is proud when he says ‘I cultivate about 40 different types of agricultural and horticultural products in my 14 acres of land. Coconut, areca nut, mango, sapota, guava, vanilla, jackfruit, cashew nut, pine-apple, papaya, and paddy are some of those products.’

He says ‘I will continue to fight for my land. I know that MSEZ and KIADB are at fault. I am ready to expose their fraudulent practices. As I have not collected any money from KIADB, I will carry on with my fight till I get justice. I am hopeful that court would deliver the judgement in my favour as I have all my land records straight.’

No doubt he has been a ‘hard nut to crack’ for the MSEZ. It remains to be seen how long Mr Gregory’s fight for justice will survive MSEZ’s fight for industry. But Gregory’s victory or loss would strongly determine what would happen to many farmers’ protests against forcible acquisition of fertile agricultural land throughout this country.  

BJP's attractive 'package' for the panchayat leaders!

One of the imporatant poll promises of the BJP government has been better governance. But have a look at the style of its governance!  

Varthabharati, a kannada daily recently reported (April 5, 2009) that BJP has fixed a very attractive 'package' for the leaders from village, taluk and zilla panchayats. 

Probably that explains why many from the Congress and JDS are joining BJP!

Great governance indeed. What would be the fate of this country if it comes to power at the centre?

Hopefully the voters would sufficienly assess the 'quality' of BJP's governance and respond adequately by voting it out! 

Fertile land converted into barren land- courtesy MSEZ

Worried about the rising prices of vegetables in Mangalore???

Remember MSEZ (supposed to be Mangalore Special Economic Zone but has turned out to be Mangalore Special Exploitation Zone for many farmers) has snatched away 1,815.34 acres of land (1800 acres in the first phase and another 15.34 acres from the second phase) which was mostly fertile land. 

The 15.34 acres of land in the Kudubi Padau area have have literally usurped by the MSEZ to construct temples that were displaced under the first phase of the project. (http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/26/stories/2008102658260300.htm) 

The protests by the people from this area, mostly tribals, carried no weight as the MSEZ goons managed to brush aside the protests by threatening the locals.

The Kudubis now say that supply of vegetables has become scarce because the land that has been taken over by the MSEZ was mostly used to cultivate vegetables.

see below how this fertile land has been converted into barren land!

The protests by the Kudubis have had no effect. Thanks to the government that has supported the rich and the powerful and not these poor farmers. 

See the present state of this fertile land. Fertile land used to construct temples which were displaced in the first phase of the MSEZ project. 'Is this justice' ask the people of kudubi padau. Answer lies with the state government that has allowed this project to go on. This land grab by the MSEZ has rendered many kudubis landless and jobless.

Revelation on Swiss Bank Accounts

India has more money in Swiss banks than all the other countries combined !!!!

This is so shocking .. . . . . wish black money deposits was an Olympics event . . . .

The second best Russia has 4 times lesser deposit. US is not even there in the counting in top five !! 
Recently, due to international pressure, Swiss govt. agreed to disclose the names of the account holders only if the respective govts formally asked for it.

Indian govt. is not asking for the details .No marks for guessing why ????

We need to start a movement to pressurize the Indian govt. to do so !!

This is perhaps the only way, and a golden opportunity, to expose the high and mighty and weed out corruption !!

Please read on . .  and forward to all the honest Indians to . ... like somebody is forwarding to you . . . . .. and build a ground-swell of support for action !!

Is India poor, who says? Ask Swiss banks With personal account deposit bank of $1500 billion in foreign reserve which have been misappropriated, an amount 13 times larger than the country's foreign debt, one needs to rethink if India is a poor country?.

DISHONEST INDUSTRIALISTS, scandalous politicians and corrupt IAS, IRS, IPS officers have deposited in foreign banks in their illegal personal accounts a sum of about $ 1500 billion, which have been misappropriated by them. This amount is about 13 times larger than the country's foreign debt. With this amount 45 crore poor people can get Rs 1,00,000 each.
This huge amount has been appropriated from the people of India by exploiting and betraying them.

Once this huge amount of black money & property comes back to India , the entire foreign debt can be repaid in 24 hours. After paying the entire foreign debt, we will have surplus amount, almost 12 times larger than the foreign debt. If this surplus amount is invested in  earning interest, the amount of interest will be more than the annual budget of the Central government. So even if all the taxes are abolished, then also the Central government will be able to maintain the country very comfortably..

Some 80,000 people travel to Switzerland every year, of whom 25,000 travel very frequently. 'Obviously, these people won't be tourists.
They must be travelling there for some other reason,' believes an official involved in tracking illegal money. And, clearly, he isn't referring to the commerce ministry bureaucrats who've been flitting in and out of Geneva ever since the World Trade Organisation (WTO) negotiations went into a tailspin!

Just read the following details and note how these dishonest industrialists, scandalous politicians, corrupt officers, cricketers, film actors, illegal sex trade and protected wildlife operators, to name just a few, sucked this country's wealth and prosperity. This may  be the picture of deposits in Swiss banks only. What about other international banks?

Black money in Swiss banks -- Swiss Banking Association report, 2006 details bank deposits in the territory of Switzerland by nationals of following countries :

Top Five
1. India ---- $1,456 billion
2. Russia ---$ 470 billion
3. UK -------$390 billion
4. Ukraine - $100 billion
5. China -----$ 96 billion
Now do the maths - India with $1456 billion or $1.4 trillion has more money in Swiss banks than rest of the world combined.

Public loot since 1947: Can we bring back our money? It is one of the biggest loots witnessed by mankind -- the loot of the Aam Aadmi (common man) since 1947, by his  brethren occupying public office.
It has been orchestrated by politicians, bureaucrats and some businessmen.. The list is almost all-encompassing. No wonder, everyone in India loots with impunity and without any fear. What is even more depressing in that this ill-gotten wealth of ours has been stashed  away abroad into secret bank accounts located in some of the world's best known tax havens. And to that extent the Indian economy has been stripped of its wealth.

Ordinary Indians may not be exactly aware of how such secret accounts operate and what are the rules and regulations that go on to govern such tax havens. However, one may well be aware of 'Swiss bank accounts,' the shorthand for murky dealings, secrecy and of course  pilferage from developing countries into rich developed ones.

In fact, some finance experts and economists believe taxhavens to be a conspiracy of the western world against the poor countries. By allowing the proliferation of tax havens in the twentieth century, the western world explicitly encourages the movement of scarce capital  from the developing countries to the rich.

In March 2005, the Tax Justice Network (TJN) published a research finding demonstrating that $11...5 trillion of personal wealth was held offshore by rich individuals across the globe. The findings estimated that a large proportion of this wealth was managed from some 70 tax  havens. Further,augmenting these studies of TJN, Raymond Baker -- in his widely celebrated book titled 'Capitalism' s Achilles Heel : Dirty Money and How to Renew the Free Market System' -- estimates that at least $5 trillion have been shifted out of poorer countries to the  West since the mid-1970..

It is further estimated by experts that 1 % of the world's population holds more than 57 % of total global wealth, routing it invariably through these tax havens. How much of this is from India is anybody's guess. What is to be noted here is that most of the wealth of Indians  parked in these tax havens is illegitimate money acquired through corrupt means.


Naturally, the secrecy associated with the bank accounts in such places is central to the issue, not their low tax rates as the term 'tax havens' suggests. Remember Bofors and how India could not trace the ultimate beneficiary of those transactions because of the secrecy  associated with these bank accounts?

LETS  PUT  OUR  HEADS  TOGETHER  AND  FIND  A  WAY  TO  BRING  BACK  THIS  MONEY  !!!  

LET US SAVE INDIA  FOR  EVERY  INDIAN.

(source:http://www.hyd-masti.com/2009/01/is-india-poor-country-revelation-of.html)