This Budget was the much-needed nudge for the businesses to take off. The budget 2021-2022 rest on 6 pillars. i. Health and Wellbeing ii. Physical & Financial Capital, and Infrastructure iii. Inclusive Development for Aspirational India iv. Reinvigorating Human Capital v. Innovation and R&D vi. Minimum Government and Maximum Governance.
Finance Minister has proposed many changes and new frameworks that could prove to be beneficial for the businesses to bloom.
Production Linked Incentive scheme (PLI) – Introduced in 13 sectors, is an initiative by government to incentivize and boost domestic manufacturing, also it is aimed to attract large investments from foreign into India.
Mega Investment Textiles Parks (MITRA) – with the huge potential for Export, it is a welcome step taken by government which will promote ‘entrepreneurship’ especially in smaller cities. National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP), Development Financial Institution – Better infrastructure ensure ‘ease of doing business’ setting up Real Estate Investment Trust (REITs) and Infrastructure Investment Trust (InVITs) will invite foreign investment in Infrastructure.
Physical & Financial Capital, and Infrastructure Investment in Roads and Highways Infrastructure through BharatMala Project, Railway Infrastructure through Dedicated Freight Corridors such as Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) and Eastern DFC will bring down the logistic costs for businesses. Similarly, Ports, Shipping, Waterways infrastructure improvement will reduce the cost of logistics to 30% when compared to the road transport.
Fin-Tech hub at the GIFT-IFSC – To provide world class International Financial Services in GIFT City in order to support the business environment.
Investor charter – FM has proposed to grant a charter to the investors, this will instill confidence among investors through protecting their rights. Government has gone a step further to reduce the burden of compliance for investors, FM has proposed to consolidate the provisions of SEBI Act, 1992, Depositories Act, 1996, Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956 and Government Securities Act, 2007 into a rationalized single Securities Markets Code.
Asset Reconstruction & Management company – A long-standing demand by FICCI to set up National Asset Management Company has been fulfilled by proposed formation of Asset Reconstruction & Management company. This will be a ‘shot in the arm’ for the Banking system.
Redefining ‘Small Companies’– According to this new definition. Small Companies Paid up capital Turnover Earlier not exceeding 50 Lakh not exceeding2 Crore Revised not exceeding 2 Crore not exceeding20 Crore It will benefit more than two lakh companies in easing their compliance requirements and will directly benefit Start-ups and Innovators.
One Person Companies (OPCs) 1) Government has lifted restrictions on Paid up capital and Turnover on OPCs. 2) Allowed them to convert anytime into any other type of company. 3) Reduced the residency limit for an Indian citizen to set up an OPC from 182 days to 120 days. 4) Allowed Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) to incorporate OPCs in India.
Faster Dispute Settlement To ensure faster resolution of cases, FM told that the NCLT framework will be strengthened, e-Court system shall be implemented. Dispute resolution has actually been a pressing problem which seemed to have been taken care of with these frameworks proposed by FM.
Proposed launching of data analytics, artificial intelligence, machine learning driven MCA21 Version 3.0 will have additional modules for e-scrutiny, e-Adjudication, e-Consultation and Compliance Management. Multi-State Cooperatives – FM has proposed to set up a separate Administrative Structure to streamline the ‘Ease of Doing Business’ for Cooperatives. Implementation of the 4 Labour codes– Government tried to reduce compliance burden on employers with single registration and licensing, and online returns. Innovation and R&D – announcing National Research Foundation is in line with the recommendations of Economic Survey 2021-2022. This area needs more Private investment than government and hopefully in the near future we see, Indian businesses doing the heavy lifting in R&D. Conciliation Mechanism – Advocated by FM for quick resolution of contractual disputes for those who deal with Government or CPSEs, and carry out contracts.
Other Pro-business measures Exemption from Audit – The turnover limit for exemption from tax audit has now been increased from5 crore to10 crore. Relief for Dividend– Dividend payment to REIT/ InvIT has been exempted from TDS. To provide ease of compliance. Tax incentives to IFSC– Tax holiday for capital gains for aircraft leasing companies, tax exemption for aircraft lease rentals paid to foreign lessors; tax incentive for relocating foreign funds in the IFSC; and to allow tax exemption to the investment division of foreign banks located in IFSC. Incentives for Start-ups– Tax holiday for start-ups till 31st March, 2022. Capital gains exemption for investment in start-ups extended till 31st March, 2022. According to FICCI president, this budget is growth-oriented and lays a strong foundation for Atmanirbhar Bharat and on paper this budget look very nice but it is the implementation that will decide the future of business in India.
यह सुखद संयोग है कि आज धर्मनिरपेक्षता के तमाम ठेकेदार-झंडाबरदार हिंदू देवी-देवताओं, प्रतीकों, प्रेरणा-पुरुषों का नाम ले रहे हैं। उन की दुहाई दे रहे हैं। जिन्हें दुर्गा पूजा से पहले परहेज था, जो पांडाल लगाने की अनुमति नहीं दे रहे थे , जो मूर्ति विसर्जन तक की अनुमति उच्च न्यायालय के दबाव में देते थे , जिन्होंने मुस्लिम तुष्टिकरण की सारी हदें पार कर दी थी, जो नमाज़ियों, बुर्कापरस्तों की चाकरी में किसी भी हद तक गिरने को तैयार थे, जिन्हें प्रभु श्रीराम का नाम सुनते ही 440 वोल्ट का झटका लगता था, जो राम का नाम सुनते ही तिलिमिलाने और छटपटाने लगते थे, वे आज प्रभु श्रीराम और माँ दुर्गा की बात कर रहे हैं।
यह हिंदू नैरेटिव की जीत है। यह संगठित हिंदू समाज की जीत है। यदि हम संगठित रहें , एकजुट रहे , अपने हितों और अधिकारों के प्रति सजग रहे तो राजनीति की बिसात पर हमारा इस्तेमाल ये धूर्त्त और पाखंडी लोग नहीं कर पाएँगे। ये 70 साल से हमारा इस्तेमाल करते रहे हैं। चेहरे बदलते रहे, वेश बदलते रहे, कांगी-वामी गिरोह अलग-अलग नामों से हमारी आस्था, हमारे धर्म, हमारी संस्कृति से खिलवाड़ करते रहे, हमें कमज़ोर करते रहे और आज ये फिर माँ दुर्गा के भक्त होने का पाखंड कर रहे हैं। इन्होंने आज तक यही किया है। किसी वक्तव्य को संदर्भ से काटकर लोगों को बहकाया है, भरमाया है, अपना उल्लू सीधा किया है। बंगाल बीजेपी के अध्यक्ष दिलीप घोष के प्रभु श्रीराम और माँ दुर्गा पर दिए गए बयान को तोड़-मोड़कर प्रस्तुत करते हुए आज ये हिंदू हितों के हिमायती बन रहे हैं। इन क्षद्म धर्मनिरपेक्षता वादियों से पूछना चाहिए कि उन्हें तब क्यों नहीं माँ दुर्गा याद आती हैं, जब उनके भक्तों को मौत के घाट उतार दिया जाता है। उन्हें तब क्यों नहीं माँ दुर्गा याद आती हैं, जब उनकी मूर्त्ति विसर्जित करने जा रही भक्तों और श्रद्धालुओं की टोली पर हिंसक हमला किया जाता है, उन्हें तब क्यों नहीं माँ दुर्गा याद आतीं जब पांडाल में घुसकर विधर्मी उत्पात मचा जाते हैं, उन्हें तब क्यों नहीं माँ दुर्गा याद आती हैं, जब पांडालों से जबरन लाउड स्पीकर उतरवा दिया जाता है, पंडालों की बिजली कनेक्शन काट दी जाती है।
सच तो यही है कि प्रभु श्रीराम भी हमारे हैं और माँ दुर्गा भी हमारी हैं। बल्कि हम सनातनियों की दृष्टि में दोनों अभेद हैं, परस्पर पूरक हैं, शक्ति के बिना राम का रामत्व नहीं और रामत्व के बिना शक्ति का अर्थ नहीं। हरे रंग में ऊपर से नीचे तक रंगे टीएमसी के ये नेता दोनों की तुलना कर पाप कर रहे हैं। ऐसा करके ये विभाजन की विषबेल को उसी चिर-परिचित अंदाज़ में खाद-पानी डाल रहे हैं। ये पाखंडी, हमारे आराध्यों को क्या समझेंगें! जिनका जीवन मस्जिदों-मदरसों-मोमिनों की दहलीज़ पर मस्तक रगड़ने और एड़ियाँ घिसने में बीता हो, जो उनकी एक आवाज़ पर रेंगते पहुँचे हों और हिंदुओं की सामूहिक चीत्कार पर भी अंधे-बहरे बने रहे हों, वे आज आस्था के मायने और माँ दुर्गा और प्रभु श्रीराम का महत्त्व समझा रहे हैं। यह कोरी राजनीति और भद्दा मज़ाक है। ये लाख छटपटाएँ, जितनी गुलाटियां मारें, पर पश्चिम बंगाल में घुसपैठियों-रोहिंग्याओं, देश-विरोधी तत्वों की सहायता-संरक्षण में खड़ी आसुरी शक्तियों का आगामी चुनाव में सर्वनाश निश्चित है। वैसे भी दुष्ट राक्षसों का संहार करने के लिए प्रभु श्रीराम ने शक्ति यानी माँ दुर्गा की आराधना की थी। प्रभु श्रीराम के भक्त माँ दुर्गा की स्तुति-आराधना कर ही दुष्ट शक्तियों के सर्वनाश का वरदान प्राप्त करेंगें और उनका समूल नाश करेंगें।
याद कीजिए राजनीति का सबसे पाखंडी चेहरा कैसे अपने को हनुमान जी का सबसे बड़ा भक्त बताया फिर रहा था। हनुमान-चालीसा का सामूहिक पाठ करता घूम रहा था। आज जब उसकी नाक के ठीक नीचे, दिन दहाड़े, घर में घुसकर मध्ययुगीन मोमिनों ने रिंकू शर्मा की हत्या कर दी है, तो उनके मुँह से सहानुभूति के औपचारिक बोल तक नहीं फूटे। उन्होंने इस बर्बर एवं जघन्य हत्या को सामान्य दुर्घटना सिद्ध करने में कोई कोर-कसर बाक़ी नहीं रखी। यदि हम अब भी नहीं चेते तो बार-बार इन धूर्त्तों और पाखंडियों के द्वारा ठगे और छले जाते रहेंगें। ये हमारा इस्तेमाल कर हमें रिंकू शर्मा की तरह मज़हबी भीड़ के हाथों मरवाते रहेंगें। शुतुरमुर्गी सोच आत्मघाती होगी, आँखें खोलकर देखिए आपके आस-पड़ोस में रोज एक ‘रिंकु’ मारा जा रहा है, रोज एक ‘निकिता’ तबाह की जा रही है, रोज एक ‘नारंग’ ‘ध्रुव तिवारी’ इनकी जिहादी-ज़ुनूनी-मज़हबी हिंसा का शिकार हो रहा है। अभी नहीं तो कभी नहीं। अनुकूल सरकार के रहते ही हम प्रतिरोध और प्रतिकार कर सकेंगें। अपने अस्तित्व की रक्षा कर सकेंगें। हिंदू-अस्मिता की अनदेखी करने वालों को औकाद दिखा सकेंगें और जो अनुकूल हैं, उन्हें अपने पक्ष में बोलने के लिए बाध्य और मजबूर कर सकेंगें।
शांति एवं स्वस्थ लोकतांत्रिक प्रक्रिया में विश्वास रखने वाले सभी लोगों के लिए यह बदलाव सुखद है कि जो जम्मू-कश्मीर कभी आतंकवादी घटनाओं एवं अलगाववादी गतिविधियों के कारण सुर्खियाँ बटोरता रहता था, वह आज सुधार, विकास एवं सुशासन की दृष्टि से लिए जाने वाले फैसलों के लिए जाना जाने लगा है। सरकार जम्मू-कश्मीर एवं लद्दाख में विकास की नित नवीन योजनाओं से लेकर त्वरित एवं ठोस निर्णयों तक लगातार सक्रिय, गतिशील एवं प्रभावी दिखाई दे रही है। नीतियों-निर्णयों की पंगुता एवं शिथिलता निष्प्रभावी क़ानून-व्यवस्था की पहली पहचान होती है। यह भी अच्छा है कि गृह मंत्री ने सदन में स्पष्ट किया है कि सरकार की मंशा जम्मू-कश्मीर को उपयुक्त एवं अनुकूल समय आने पर पूर्ण राज्य का दर्ज़ा देने की है।
नीतिगत सक्रियता के साथ-साथ ऐसी साफ़ नीयत निश्चित ही स्थानीय नागरिकों का भरोसा जीतने में सहायक होगी। जिस प्रकार वहाँ आतंकवादी-अलगाववादी गतिविधियों पर विराम लगा है, पत्थरबाज़ी एवं आतंकवादियों के जनाज़े या जुमे की नमाज़ के दिन उमड़ने वाली भीड़ में कमी आई है और इन सबसे अधिक हालिया चुनावों में तमाम भीतरी और बाहरी दबावों एवं खौफ़ पैदा करने वाली धमकियों को दरकिनार करते हुए अधिकाधिक जन-भागीदारी देखने को मिली है, उससे यह कहना अनुचित नहीं होगा कि 5 अगस्त 2019 को लिए गए ऐतिहासिक फैसले का वहाँ के आम नागरिकों पर कोई प्रतिकूल प्रभाव नहीं पड़ा है। वर्षों से सत्ता की मलाई खा रहे परिवारों और उनके रहमो-करम पर पल रहे चंद रसूखदारों की तमाम आशंकाएँ निर्मूल और निराधार सिद्ध हुईं हैं। बल्कि उनमें से कई जो प्रलय के भविष्यवक्ता-से बने बैठे थे, जो सत्ता में आने के बाद जम्मू-कश्मीर को मिले उन अस्थाई एवं विशेष प्रावधानों को पुनः बहाल करने का वादा और दावा कर रहे थे, उन्हें वहाँ की अवाम ने ही खारिज़ कर दिया। संसदीय-प्रणाली में चुनाव और उसके परिणाम ही जनमत की अभिव्यक्ति के सबसे सशक्त माध्यम होते हैं। और हालिया चुनाव के परिणामों से यह स्पष्ट है कि घाटी की अवाम केंद्र की नीयत-नीतियों से संतुष्ट एवं प्रसन्न है।
13 फरवरी, 2021 को लोकसभा से जम्मू-कश्मीर पुनर्गठन (संशोधन) विधेयक के पारित होने से अधिकारियों की कमी से जूझ रहे इस प्रदेश को राहत मिलेगी, सरकार की विकास संबंधी तमाम योजनाओं को धरातल पर उतारने वाले अधिकारी सुलभ एवं उपलब्ध होंगें, उन विकास-कार्यों को तीव्र गति मिलेगी, एक मज़बूत-सहयोगी-शृंखलाबद्ध-प्रभावी-परिणामदायी तंत्र विकसित होगा, जिम्मेदारी और जवाबदेही सुनिश्चित की जा सकेगी। इतना ही नहीं स्थानीय अधिकारी जो चाहकर भी विगत सात दशकों में बने भ्रष्टचार के सहायक-उत्प्रेरक व्यूह-तंत्र को भेद पाने में स्वयं को अक्षम-असमर्थ पा रहे थे, अब वे भी दबावमुक्त महसूस करेंगें। चंद परिवारों, अलगाववादी नेताओं की धौंस अब उन पर नहीं चलेगी। और अगस्त 2019 तक मिली विशेष प्रावधानों-रियायतों का लाभ उठाकर जो अधिकारी जोड़-तोड़, पैरवी-पहुँच के बल पर वर्षों मलाईदार विभागों और सुगम-संसाधनयुक्त जगहों पर बने रहने के माहिर ‘खिलाड़ी’ थे, उन्हें भी अब अपने इर्द-गिर्द प्रयासपूर्वक खड़े किए गए मज़बूत सुविधा-चक्रों से निकलकर नई जगह, नए प्रदेश में जाने के लिए तैयार रहना पड़ेगा।
अब चंद रसूखदार और परिवार उनका बेजा इस्तेमाल नहीं कर सकेंगें। इस विधेयक के पारित होने के बाद अब इस केंद्र शासित राज्य में देश के सारे नियम-क़ानून मान्य होंगें। एक देश, एक प्रधान, एक निशान के ध्येय को भाजपा ने पहले ही साध लिया था। अब एक विधान की बहुप्रतीक्षित संकल्पना भी साकार हो गई। इस नए विधेयक के अनुसार मौजूदा जम्मू-कश्मीर कैडर के भारतीय प्रशासनिक सेवा, भारतीय पुलिस सेवा और भारतीय वन सेवा के अधिकारियों को अरुणाचल प्रदेश, गोवा, मिज़ोरम और सभी केंद्र शासित प्रदेशों में कामकाज के लिए अदल-बदल किया जा सकता है। यह विधेयक किसी-न-किसी स्तर पर विविधता में एकता की हमारी समृद्ध सांस्कृतिक विरासत की अनुभूति, साझेदारी और भावना को बल प्रदान करेगा। यह सांप्रदायिक सद्भावना को भी बढ़ावा देगा। वहाँ के अधिकारी देश के अन्य राज्यों और अन्य राज्यों से आने वाले अधिकारी जम्मू-कश्मीर की रीति-नीति-परंपरा-मान्यता से प्रत्यक्षतया परिचित होंगें। क़ानून-व्यवस्था के प्रभावी क्रियान्वयन के साथ-साथ यह कला, भाषा, संगीत, साहित्य, लोकरीतियों, स्थानीय परंपराओं के आदान-प्रदान का मार्ग भी प्रशस्त करेगा।
विगत 17 मास की अल्पावधि में ही सरकार द्वारा किए गए प्रयासों और संपन्न कराए गए चुनावों को देखते हुए इस विधेयक को लेकर विपक्षी दलों की कतिपय प्रतिकूल टिप्पणियाँ महज़ औपचारिकता या केवल विरोध के लिए विरोध की राजनीति का हालिया चलन है। क्या सर्वोच्च न्यायालय में किसी मुद्दे-मामले के विचाराधीन रहने पर विधायिका, कार्यपालिका और उसके अंतर्गत आने वाली सरकारी मशीनरी को निष्क्रिय हो जाना चाहिए, विकास के कार्यों को बिलकुल ठप्प कर देना चाहिए, लोक-कल्याण की तमाम योजनाओं एवं सुविधा-सहूलियतों को पूर्णतया स्थगित कर देना चाहिए? विचाराधीन का अभिप्राय स्थगन या निरस्तीकरण तो नहीं? सरकार प्रदेश के विकास को लेकर कितनी गंभीर, प्रतिबद्ध एवं कृत संकल्पित है, यह गृहमंत्री श्री अमित शाह द्वारा सदन में प्रस्तुत किए गए तथ्यों एवं आँकड़ों से स्पष्ट है! उसे फिर से गिनाना-दुहराना कागज़ पर स्याही फैलाना होगा।
परंतु जो नेता और दल निहित स्वार्थों के कारण ‘5 अगस्त 2019 को लिए गए फैसले को प्रदेश पर आक्रमण’ जैसी संज्ञा दे रहे हैं, लोकतंत्र का तकाज़ा है कि ऐसी अलगाववादी भाषा बोलने वाले नेताओं और दलों से भी चंद सवाल पूछे जाएँ। ऐसे सभी दलों और नेताओं को कश्मीरी पंडितों के सामूहिक उत्पीड़न-विस्थापन पर भी अपना मत और दृष्टिकोण स्पष्ट करना चाहिए। उन्हें घाटी में विगत सात दशकों से पंचायतीराज व्यवस्था नहीं लागू करने पर भी प्रदेशवासियों को स्पष्टीकरण देना चाहिए। उन्हें विभाजन की त्रासदी के बाद हजारों-लाखों की संख्या में पाकिस्तान से घाटी में आए हिंदू शरणार्थियों, पंजाब से आकर बसे वंचितों-दलितों, स्वच्छता कर्मियों आदि को मतदान के अधिकार से वंचित करने पर भी स्पष्टीकरण देना चाहिए और उन्हें उन तमाम वंचितों-पीड़ितों-उपेक्षितों को व्यवस्था के अंतर्गत मिलने वाले आरक्षण का लाभ नहीं देने का भी मुल्क को हिसाब देना चाहिए। उन्हें याद रखना होगा कि बात निकलेगी तो फिर दूर तक जाएगी।
सच यही है कि सात दशकों में किए गए उनके गुनाहों की फ़ेहरिस्त बहुत लंबी और अंतहीन है और केंद्र सरकार की विगत 17 मास की उपलब्धियाँ सुनहरे कल की उम्मीद जगाने वाली, विकास की बयार को समाज के सभी तबकों और दुर्गम इलाकों तक पहुँचाने वाली हैं। यह अकारण नहीं है कि बीसवीं सदी के सबसे बड़े पलायन और विस्थापन के शिकार कश्मीरी पंडितों के लिए सरकार द्वारा किए जा रहे प्रयासों की आज चहुँ ओर प्रशंसा हो रही है। यह सचमुच हतप्रभ करने वाला विषय है कि रोहिंगयाओं, बांग्लादेशी घुसपैठियों तक की पैरवी में आए दिन वक्तव्य ज़ारी करने वाले बयानवीर और उनके कथित उत्पीड़न की पीड़ा में आँसू बहाने वाले तथाकथित मानवाधिकारवादी कश्मीरी पंडितों के सामूहिक पलायन- विस्थापन-उत्पीड़न पर एकदम मौन साध जाते हैं। यहूदियों पर अत्याचार करने वालों को पूरी दुनिया आज तक कठघरे में खड़ा करती है। करना भी चाहिए, पर क्या यह दुहरापन नहीं कि देश-दुनिया के तमाम धर्मनिरपेक्षतावादी गिरोह और संस्थाएँ कश्मीरी पंडितों पर मुँह सिले रहती हैं। क्या उनका पलायन-विस्थापन-उत्पीड़न क़ानून के राज और संविधान की सर्वोच्चता पर लगा अनुत्तरित प्रश्नचिह्न नहीं है? ये क्षद्म धर्मनिरपेक्षतावादी बुद्धिजीवी जिस बहुलतावादी सामाजिक ढाँचे का कोरस में गुणगान करते रहते हैं, क्या इनका पलायन-विस्थापन-उत्पीड़न उसे तहस-नहस नहीं करता? क्या यह सभ्य एवं आधुनिक समाज के माथे पर लगा सबसे बड़ा कलंक नहीं है?
कल्पना कीजिए यदि नब्बे के दशक में घाटी में यह विधेयक लागू रहता तो ऐसा सामूहिक पलायन-विस्थापन-उत्पीड़न संभव था? इसमें कोई दो राय नहीं कि यह विधेयक ऐसे कलंकित अध्यायों की पुनरावृत्ति पर अंकुश लगाएगा। यह विस्थापित कश्मीरी पंडितों के पुनर्वास में तो सहायक होगा ही, घाटी में उनकी गिनी-चुनी-बची संख्या को भी ढाँढ़स, दिलासा और संबल भी प्रदान करेगा। लोकतंत्र में असली फ़ैसले जनता की अदालत में ही तय होते हैं। कश्मीरी अवाम ने विगत 17 महीनों में जिस शांति, सद्भाव, सहयोग, समझदारी, परिपक्वता एवं लोकतांत्रिक भागीदारी का परिचय दिया है, दरअसल उसे ही भारत के लोकप्रिय एवं यशस्वी प्रधानमंत्री स्वर्गीय अटलबिहारी बाजपेयी ने कश्मीरियत, जम्हूरियत, इंसानियत का नाम दिया था और यह निर्विवाद एवं अटल-सत्य है कि कश्मीरी पंडितों एवं ग़ैर मज़हबी लोगों को साथ लिए बिना वह कश्मीरियत-जम्हूरियत-इंसानियत आधी-अधूरी है।
Few days back, BJP MP Smriti Irani accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of supporting anarchic elements to disturb the law and order in the country and deliberately ignoring the injured police officers, who suffered grave injuries while handling violent protests on 26th Jan. In this article, we do not aim to discuss the merits of farm laws and the protests that followed, but how Congress under Rahul has routinely failed to stand with the security forces.
In his last address Rahul stated “The truth is that most farmers do not understand the details of the Bill (the three Farm Laws), because if they did, there would be an agitation all across the country. The country would be on fire”. This was an explicit instigation to the people at large to burn down India. He also asked the protestors sitting on borders of Delhi to not compromise even an inch, despite violent protests in Delhi leaving more than 390 police officers gravely injured and many still in ICUs. It is quite similar to the call made last year from Ram Lila ground by Congress leadership during anti-CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) protest, which culminated into Delhi riots in Feb 2020.
A study of Rahul Gandhi’s politics and the evolution of Congress through the decades shows that the political party has repeatedly undermined India’s security apparatus.
We can recall specifically how Congress has endangered security forces in Kashmir and Punjab to usurp power in these states and checkmate their regional opponents. The handling of the Kashmir insurgency by Congress demonstrates how the political party prioritised miscreants in the Valley over armed forces. While the Kashmir problem was a political one to solve, Congress passed on the responsibility to the security forces. In Punjab, Bhindranwale was propelled and backed by the Congress high command in the late 1970s in the hope of splitting the Sikh vote bank and thus weaken the Akali Dal. While in Kashmir, the 1987 elections were rigged to ensure control of Congress regime. This provided fertile ground for emergence of Hizbul Mujahideen and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, whose leaders Sayeed Salahuddin and Yasin Malik declared violence against the armed forces. The latter, held responsible for killing an IAF officer, was even invited for talks with the then PM Manmohan Singh in 2006. Even the defence minister during UPA-2, AK Antony, passed irresponsible statements such as the attack on Indian Army being carried out by armed terrorists dressed in Pakistani Army uniform, which gave an escape route to Pakistan.
Even on LTTE-Sri Lanka crisis, Congress’s political monkey balancing costed security forces immensely. Veteran Congress leader, Natwar Singh has provided grim account in his last book, how Rajiv Gandhi, without any proper deliberation, put Indian forces into difficult situation in Sri Lanka against LTTE. He stated, “The IPKF was not prepared for what they were undertaking in Sri Lanka. There was no coherence in India’s policy. MGR (then Tamil Nadu chief minister MG Ramachandran) had his own Tamil Nadu policy, India had its own policy.” That only cements how forces are deployed on whims and fancy of Congress leadership.
Perhaps the nadir was reached when Congress played an unglorified role after Batla House encounter, when their leaders were working overtime by seeding doubt about the authenticity of an encounter in which we lost our security personnel. These historic actions of Congress have emboldened our enemies to capitalise on internal disturbances to exploit sectarian and religious differences.
In recent years, we have seen multiple incidents where Congress deliberately created law and orders problems to drive political gains, with Rahul Gandhi insulting the security forces on multiple occasions. He has the distinction of standing with left wing student group in JNU which are known to have accused Indian forces of atrocities in Kashmir and demeaned their efforts to restore peace.
Rahul’s utterances post-surgical strike and Balakot air strike shows inbuilt contempt to find ways to belittle their achievement, by bringing in political slugfest when it is least required. Strangely he showed amazing concerns about the soldiers martyred recently while defending incursion in Ladakh, but that too only to use for scoring political point, instead of paying soldiers deserving accolades, especially after they captures strategic heights. In similar context, Rahul could not manage to complement soldiers’ post-surgical strike categorically. While attacking government of using soldiers for political mileage “Khoon ki Dalali” he ended up demeaning the valour of our forces. In a recent event, he even went on to say that India would not need armed forces if we strengthened our farmers.
In Jan 2020, during anti-CAA violent protest in Uttar Pradesh that damaged public property, Rahul and Priyanka went to the NHRC to request for action against police. In case of Delhi riots during anti-CAA protest, he criticised Delhi police, while ignoring martyrdom of police and intelligence officers and failed to make statements on rioters. During Hathras protest, Rahul feigned falling on the ground, just to showcase police offices in poor light.
With Rahul’s blessings many senior Congress leaders have insulted security officers repeatedly. Delhi Congress leader, Sandeep Dixit called the sitting army chief as “Sadak ka Gunda”, for being stringent against terrorists. In 2018, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah wrote letter to police officers to seek withdrawal of cases against minorities. Rahul went on to accuse UP police of killing the dreaded Gangster Vikas Dubey, just to score political points. Such actions not only make country vulnerable on law and order front but also demoralise the security forces.
So, if Rahul Gandhi chooses to ignore the strenuous efforts and noble sacrifices of the security forces, it should not come as a surprise, being quite well entrenched in his party tradition. He has been successfully indoctrinated with Congress’ philosophy and exploiting security apparatus for political gains, ignoring its long-term ramifications for national security.
Dominic Barton, the global managing director of McKinsey, gave an excellent interview in December 2013, highlighting India’s problems. Among other things, he mentioned two notable ones. One, India has the potential to grow at 10% or more (real GDP growth). Two, corruption is an issue that comes up for discussion more in respect of Russia than India. For India, it is misgovernance that haunts the nation. This was during the last days of the UPA-2 government. I could not agree more to both the views.
In Russia, corruption is rampant, and disconcerting, because the country has massive valuable natural resources. For instance, it is virtually the mafia that runs the oil and gas businesses, leaving little for the government. India, on the contrary, has a peculiar problem. We do not produce enough crude and edible oil, necessitating huge expenditure on imports of these commodities. We have one of the largest coal reserves in the world, but still need to import it largely because Coal India has not been a reliable supplier. We do have excess cotton, but instead of adding value and building a textile industry, we export the stuff. Same goes for iron ore.
Now, let us consider the textile business for a while. A few years back, Faisalabad, in Pakistan, used to be a textile hub. Then came the bane of the industry – power cuts. The industry started to die, and millions were unemployed within months. Business shifted to more efficient Bangladesh. Back home in India, Tirupur, a well-known textile cluster, faced a similar story. Power shortages turned the business unviable, small power loom owners faced extinction, and to add insult to injury, strict norms on water treatment spelt doom for the industry. India, however, was wiser and nimbler than Pakistan. Industry shifted to Gujarat, a power surplus state that arranged for a common water treatment facility for the cluster, saving on capital expenditure for small and medium enterprises. That, I think, is what India needs.
Indians are hardworking and entrepreneurs, what most just need is just the right amount of state support. Lesser the regulations and barriers between state and business, the better. E-governance, therefore, is what India needs. Ask a businessman who used to waste one man-day in procuring a straightforward sales tax form. Now, he downloads it from the government website and focuses on better things. The gradual shift of citizen-government interaction to mobile applications (such as Umang) and websites is a welcome change. Corruption breeds because layers separate the citizen from government records, creating ranks and files of agents. Here is where the Japanese concept of quality comes in – don’t take post-facto action, stem corruption before it arises. While an anti-corruption body is required, there is little good in closing the stable door after the horse has bolted.
The other reason why India cannot afford corruption (and a corrupt government) is because, let me put it honestly, we as a country do not have enough money that can be embezzled. While I do agree that our forex reserves have grown to over USD 590 billion from USD 304 billion at end-March 2014[1], our fiscal deficit is still estimated at 6.5% of GDP in fiscal 2021[2], which is significantly higher than Baa-rated peers. The Augean stables that are our State DISCOMs (distribution companies) still need to be cleaned for the debt lurking there. Same holds true for FCI (Food Corporation of India). There are food subsidies that need to be maintained as a safety net for the ultra-poor, not to mention the support prices to farmers that have become a political necessity. And then there are massive interest payments (over 30% of Government revenue[3]) that we need to meet just because we borrowed thoughtlessly in the past.
It is in this context that PM (Prime Minister) Modi’s recent speech in the Parliament speech, pointing out the role that the private sector has to play, is so important. The Modi years have been a welcome change from the corruption marred term of UPA-2, so the corruption related concerns are largely taken care of. The focus now is on wealth creation.
In a world where the global economy has been witnessing a structural downturn for quite some time now, Our GDP growth rate too has tapered down to the same pace as already developed Asian economies like Malaysia, and we are saving little for asset creation. India is in the precarious position of an ageing man whose income is reducing as he grows weak and has no assets to feed him when he hits the hospital bed. Therefore, what we need is sustainable GDP growth, and then ensure that our coffers, once filled, are not looted again. Growing at 10% is extremely feasible, as Mr Barton said, so let us gain the lost ground first. More than 150 million Indians will need jobs in the next ten years, we created just 52 million over 2005-2012.
As a CRISIL report pointed out, we need to revive our manufacturing sector, or else 12 million people will have to shift to low-end, farm employment for feeding themselves. The recent farm laws aim to address the problem of low farm incomes, which have been artificially supported by MSPs (minimum support prices). The impetus, however, has to come from manufacturing. PM Modi has had a track record of achieving it in Gujarat. Can we now repeat the feat as a nation? A business-friendly government led by PM Modi combined with a low-corruption regime is the best shot we have got.
Farmer is the backbone of India. India is an agriculture-based economy. India has made advances in various fields, but the condition of farmer has not improved much. The reasons are deep rooted at ground level. The pricing of crops is highly variable, inconsistent and most of the times not sufficient. For several decades there was no improvement of basic infrastructure facilities like roads, ware houses, cold storages, processing units, etc. The new technology in field of agriculture is not being utilized by farmers. The rate at which consumer buys agricultural product is many times higher than the rate at which the farmer sells. Neither the farmer nor the consumer is getting the benefit. Modi government brought the new farm laws aim at decreasing the gap between the price at which farmer sells and consumer buys, thus benefitting farmers and consumers. The new laws aim at improving income of farmers and easing the way of selling farm produce by decreasing the involvement of middlemen, various taxes, Interstate charges, lobbying of influential farmers, etc.
THE LAWS – FACTS VS MYTHS
The farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce Act (FPTC Act)
Facts
The law aims at promoting and facilitating free trade in agriculture. Farmer can sell the produce any where all over country.
Existing systems
– The existing APMC markets are inadequate, not transparent and are handled by middle men. In many states politicians control the APMC markets. More than 50% of produce is sold outside Mandis . Farmer has to pay service charges or taxes for APMC mandis. In addition to this, farmer has also to pay commission charges to agents (Arthiyas). These charges totally vary from 1 to 8.5% depending on state.
– The farmer has to take the produce to the mandis all the way from his farm. The farmer has to bear the transport charges.
– Interstate charges will be imposed by states if farmer sells his produce outside the state.
-The farmer can not decide the price of farm produce and is forced to sell the farm produce as decided by the middle men in mandis.
-Minimum Support Price (MSP) and procurement of farm produce under MSP are administrative decisions. It was the Modi government which has increased MSP to 50% above the cost of production of crop for major crops. State governments can decide MSP for any crop including fruits and vegetables.
– It is estimated that on an average atleast 6 to 7 transactions happen before a farm produce reaches consumer from farmer.
What does the new law say?
-The FTPC act gives freedom to the farmer in selling the produce at a place and a price of the choice of farmer.
-Farmer can sell in APMC markets or outside the mandis. Farmer can quote the price for the crop. This facilitates farmer to enter free trade and increase the competitive spirit enabling a better price as in other trades. Farmer need not pay the mandi and middlemen charges.
-Aiming at “One Nation -One Market” interstate charges are removed.
– Farmer can sell the crop at any place of his choice including at the door step. Farmers need not bear transport and package charges.
– E- Commerce platforms will be developed so that farmers can sell on line to any one all over India.
– There will be regulations for those who purchase and will be regulated by the government.
Farmers’ Empowerment and Protection Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act
The act gives farmers’respect, empowerment and protection to farmers. It aims at price assurance to the farmers on farm services and contract farming.
-Contract farming has been already practiced by companies like Nestle, Pepsico etc. in some states like Punjab, West Bengal, Chattisgarh, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. Thousands of farmers had economic benefits and guaranteed success with such partnerships involving trade of milk, vegetables and fruits.
– The act allows contract farming all over contract with assurance to farmers on price for the produce.
– An agreement is to be made between the farmer and the private partner regarding the price to be paid to farmer prior to production itself. At the timing of selling crop if the market prices are less, the private partner cannot pay lesser price for the farmer. If the market prices are more at the time of the purchase the benefits have to be transferred to the farmer as per the agreement. Total Payment can not be delayed by more than 3 days. Farmer can decide about the amount to be paid at the agreement time and while selling the crop.
– Private partner has to provide farm services and inputs to farmers on mutually agreeable conditions.
– Farmer can decide the quantity and type of crop to be grown. Private partner cannot decide on type or quantity of crops to be grown.
– The law protects farmers by providing methods of addressing the grievances of farmers in the law. The law enables Sub –Divisional Authority or collector or additional collector as appellate authority for resolution of problems in 30 days. If the private person fails to pay the farmer, penalty up to one and half times the due amount can be levied. The costs and long time involved in the legal process involving courts can be avoided.
-State governments can make the rules of registration of farming agreement.
– Encouraging diversification of production of crops. Wheat and rice are produced in more than required quantity in the country. On the other hand pulses , oil seeds , perishable fruits and vegetables are produced at lesser quantities than needed quantity in the country forcing us to import. This is due to some factors. One being the lack of assurance of proper price for those high-priced crops. Second one being lack of infrastructure facilities like cold storages to store the perishable crops. Third being the transport charges which small farmers to be bear for taking the small crops to mandis. The contract farming gives assurance to farmers encouraging to grow various diversified crops helping nation to attain self-sufficiency in producing crops.
– The investment in infrastructure and agriculture allied processing units will be increased with contract farming by private players. This will lead to generation of more jobs for local people. The private player will improve infrastructure like ware houses, cold storages and packing units. Food Produce Units will be developed resulting in increased generation of local food products.
Essential Commodities Amendment Act
-The amendment modified the regulation of prices of farm products like cereals , pulses , potatos, onion, edible oilseeds and oils from essential commodities list.
– The essential commodity act was invoked very easily by governments previously to decrease the prices of farm products resulting in economic loss to farmers.
– With the amendment act can be invoked only under extra ordinary circumstances.
MYTHS and REALITIES
– APMC system will not be scrapped. Private channels will there in addition to the existing APMC system. APMC is under purview of state government and they can continue mandis. Kerala and Bihar have no APMC systems. This law is not aimed at removing APMC system.
– MSP will not be removed.MSP system is going to stay.MSP also can be increased for crops by state governments also.
– No mandatory requirement to do contract farming or sell to private players. Private players cannot be forced to do anything.
-The private players in contract farming have no rights over the land or assets of farmers. There is no leasing out of land of farmers.
– Farmer can withdraw from the contract farming if they find it not beneficial.
-No action against farmer or the assets of farmer can be taken under any circumstances.
– Private players will hoard food items and create price hike. This is not possible. Essential Commodities Act can still be invoked transparently in extraordinary circumstances like war, famine, natural calamities and extra ordinary price rise .There is a regulation on stock limit which is 100% increase in retail price of horticultural produce or 50% increase in retail price of non-perishable goods over last one year or average of 5 years whichever is lower.
Modi government – Pro farmers’ government
India is agriculture-based economy. Present government has emphasized a lot on agrarian sector and set a goal of doubling farmer’s income by 2022. PM kisaan Yojana was launched through which amount of 6000 rupees was directly transferred to accounts of farmers. Pension scheme was introduced for farmers.The implementation of “Neem coated urea” prevented hoarding of urea and easy availability to farmers. In this budget, amount of 2.83 lakhs crores was allotted for agriculture and allied industries. 16 point formula for farmers was proposed. Government kept a goal to give 15 lakh crores loans to be given to farming and allied industries. Kisan credit cards were given to farmers.
Farm produce purchased by government drastically increased in last 5 years of Modi government compared to 10 years UPA government
Crop
Under 10 years of UPA(2004 -2014)
Under 5 years of NDA (2014 to 2019)
Rice
2.06 lakh crores
4.56 lakh crores
wheat
1.68 lakh crores
2.97 lakh crores
pulses
645 crores
49,000 crores
Oil seeds
2460 crores
25,000 crores
It was Modi government which implemented Swaminathan committee recommendations to provide MSP 50% above the production cost. Modi government has been increasing MSP regularly since 2014.
MSP rates for Rabi Crops Season (All values in rupees/quintal)
Crop
MSP for 2020-21
MSP for 2021-22
Production cost
Increase in MSP
% of Profit over production cost
wheat
1925
1975
960
50
106
Barley
1525
1600
971
75
65
Gram
4875
5100
2866
225
78
Lentil
4800
5100
2864
300
78
Mustard
4425
4650
2415
225
93
Safflower
5215
5327
3551
112
50
On PPP basis Food Corporation of India (FCI) to build ware houses for storing farm products. Government is planning to build a cold chain of storage for milk, fish , meat ,vegetables, fruits ,flowers etc. for storage and easy transport of perishable goods. To achieve this more ware houses with cold storage facilities will be established. For fast transport of perishable farm products, Indian railways started kisan rails” -Trains with cold storage facilities to transport domestically . Aviation ministry will launch “Krishi Udaan”-Aero planes with cold storage facilities to transport nationally and internationally. NABARD schemes to be expanded. Zero budget natural farming will be increased. 22.41 crore soil health cards were issued to farmers aimed at improving productivity of soil by assessing nutritional deficiencies and correcting necessary deficiencies in a scientific way. Soil health card system has resulted in decreased usage of chemical fertilizers by 8 to 10%, increased productivity by 5 to 6% and increased income by 30,000 per acre on an average.Portal for online natural organic products “Jaivik kethi” shall be strengthened. Nearly,6.11 crores farmers benefited from PM fasal bhima yojana. PM Krishi Sanchai Yojana promoted micro irrigation and farming of pulses. Solar pumps to be given to 20 lakh farmers. Solar energy production units in non-cropping rural areas shall be expanded. Measures to improve farming and water conservation in 100 water scarce districts. Integrated farming systems in rain fed areas shall be expanded. Dhanya laxmi seed banks will be started involving women. Special clusters for horticulture will be developed. Animal artificial fertilization measures will be promoted. Fisheries and exports to be promoted and youth to be trained in this aspect.
The Protests – The unanswered questions
–Is there even a single point in the law which is not benefitting farmers?
–Still farmers are throwing away crops on roads due to lack of proper price. What benefit did farmers get from old laws?
-The government has provided a venue with essential and medical facilities for the protesters. Why protesters have not shifted to the venue and are blocking roads?
– When the government is willing to make amendments why are farmers still protesting?
-Why the protesters are from a few states, mainly Punjab?
-Why farmers are supporting the release of Maoists like Gautam Navlakha, Sudha Baradhwaj in the protests against Farmers’ laws?
– Why the opposition leaders like Sharad Pawar of NCP , Rahul Gandhi of congress ,etc..who demanded liberalizing trade markets and scrapping APMC are opposing now?
-Leftist ruled Kerala has no APMC system. Why are the leftists opposing without implementing APMC system in Kerala?
– Why do not the protesting farmers of Punjab first cancel the contract farming with Pepsi Co, Nestle and Amul?
– Why do the protesters do such heinous activities like defacing Mahatma Gandhi’ statue with Khalistan flags ? How are Khalistan separatists related to
Farmers have some apprehensions regarding legalizing MSP, registration of private firms and exploitation by private firms. Government from the beginning was ready in engaging with farmers and was willing to make necessary amendments after discussions.The protests have become political. In some states main Political families control the APMC systems. Congress had scrapping of APMC and liberalization of agricultural market in the manifesto. It looks like they are supporting protests just to oppose Narendra Modi and be relevant in the political scenario. BJP recently winning rural panchayath elections as opposition party in Rajasthan shows that farmers in that state are not against new farm laws. Narendra Modi after becoming Prime minister in 2014 has concentrated on agriculture and brought several reforms with the aim of improving economic condition of farmers. These farming reforms helped farmers a lot. Those farmers who are protesting should realize the fact that the new laws are for empowerment of farmers and should engage with government which is extending olive branch to farmers.
There is nothing to admire in anarchy. The youth, in particular, gets drawn to it because of the sheer disdain for rules and authority. Recent literature and movies, ‘Joker’ being one of them, also have an underlying theme that anarchy is the antidote to authoritarianism and plutocracy. Many believe that anarchy is mankind’s natural state of being. It is not. Our closest relatives in the wild, chimpanzees, have an elaborate social structure with alpha males to implement law and order. Unfortunately, it is unadulterated patriarchy. The ‘Jokers’ of the world are motivated to prove that the elimination of the state will result in a freer, fairer society. Pennyworth, however, sees through the high-sounding philosophy of Joker and says wisely, ‘some men just want to watch the world burn’. As all kids know, those who have lost (I refrain from using the word ‘loser’) have a strong desire to upset the board and walk away.
Anarchy is not the protector of the weak. It is the rule of the jungle. With no laws and security forces to protect the weak, they would be the first one to be preyed upon. Of all systems, anarchy favours the strong the most. Worse, anarchy favours those among the strong who are criminally minded. There can be no greater critique of it than Golding’s excellent work – ‘The Lord of the Flies’. Jack, who cannot be a leader in a world governed by reason and rules, breaks away to form his own band of ‘savages’, which ultimately seeks to silence anyone who talks about logic and justice. Piggy, who makes reasonable arguments, is murdered in cold blood and a worst fate awaits Ralph. The weak like Simon have no chance at all.
In ‘Lord of the Flies’, Jack and his gang breaks away from the leader Ralph, kills a sow, and offers it to the ‘Beast’ as an offering on a stick
Does a new order emerge from anarchy? Yes, almost always. Contrary to the third law of thermodynamics, entropy in such a system decreases. Disorder cannot sustain because social structures have to emerge where humans are involved. In a worst-case scenario, an anarchist state will develop into one where you have militia and warlords. The criminally-minded strong gang up together to rule over the weak. Or, you might witness the emerge of pseud-communism (the natural state for most communist states) – the resources are taken over by a group, but that resources are being shared is just an illusion. As communism is always centralised, the power rests with a few. The pigs in ‘Animal Farm’. All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.
There can also be a case where anarchy, if it starts as an anti-rich movement, ends up handing even more power to the wealthy. The militia has to be paid. The mobs can be bought. It is not that the mobs hate wealth, they just want it for themselves without going through the grind. They want the expensive stuff in the stores, but they want it now. The rich can buy the mobs, and the mobs would comply, as long as they are paid well. That is what has happened in most of Africa.
Lastly, will anarchy ever lead to an equitable society? Never. Social welfare programs can exist only in an ordered society. You have housing for the poor in the Netherlands, unemployment support in the US, and several social welfare schemes in the democracies of Europe. Communism promises equity, but by detesting the wealth creators, does not produce enough resources that can be shared with everyone. A movement in Cambodia that started with elevating farmers over doctors and teachers, with the latter being forcefully asked to work on farms, ended up with one of the worst genocides ever, leaving up to two million dead. The dictator who oversaw all this was the revolutionary Pol Pot, a Marxist-Leninist.
(Original Caption) Phnom Basset, Cambodia: Long lines of refugees are once again on the move here some 17-kilometers from the capital. Civilian men, women, and children are fleeing to safer areas due to recent fighting. Civilian casualties have been heavy in the fighting, and at least 20,000 war refugees have flooded Phnom Penh since the beginning of 1975.
Anarchy is often a psychological reaction that stems from underlying hate against the establishment. It is the stuff that teenagers are made of. It is a rebellion against the rules and the person in authority, without having a solution in mind. ‘Anything is right except what you are saying’. Anarchy is just rebelling without a cause. The youth is therefore naturally inclined towards it. But do realise that while it is okay to challenge the status quo (that is how most progress happens), inventors and visionaries always have a better solution in mind. Tearing down is the easy part. Even barbarians can do that. To build a Lighthouse of Alexandria on the rubble is what matters.
This opinion piece is to present certain facts based on the Data and Economics of agricultural reforms – the intent is NOT to support or oppose the new farm bills and also NOT to support or oppose any political party or any farmer union.
Facts – what are the 4 major changes these new farm laws bring in?
Farmers in India will have the right to sell anywhere and to anyone who offers them the best price – including both government and private players
There is no need for a farmer or a company to pay mandi tax if the mandis are not providing any additional services within their geographical boundaries – how much is Mandi tax – 8% in Punjab and 1% in Maharashtra !!
Companies will only invest in infrastructure and food processing if they are given the freedom to procure and store whatever storage is required for their business. The new law allows for this which means more private investment to come in infrastructure, food processing, marketing and storage facilities.
Companies engaging farmers in contract farming and providing crop advisory, inputs and assured buy-back will help the Rural Poor to move away from the clutches of the money lenders and Rural Rich.
What are the 4 major things which these laws do NOT talk about?
Current MSP and Mandi System will change – NO these laws do NOT talk about this change
Big Corporates will snatch away land from the farmers – NO – on the contrary, the law ensures that the land ownership cannot be changed from farmer to the private player in any case
Private purchasers will reduce the price – NO markets (supply-demand formula) will decide the price – in – fact today also market decides the price in most cases except in Punjab and Haryana for wheat and paddy.
The government will force farmers to do contract farming with corporates – NO – contract farming is FULLY OPTIONAL and Farmers may decide to avail it or NOT avail it based on their specific local needs. Today also many farmers do contract farming – just there is no nationwide common and legal structure for such contract farming.
If all is good with these farm laws why so many farmers are protesting against these laws?
Let’s try to understand with some facts –
How many farmers are in India: 15 Crore (150 Million)
How many farmers are marginalized who have less than 2 hectares of land: 86% i.e. 13 crore (130 Million)
How many farmers in India take benefit of MSP (Minimum Support Price): 6% i.e. 90 Lakh (9 Million) farmers take benefit of MSP
Who are Rural Poor and Rural Rich: A National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) report that mapped the income, expenditure and indebtedness of agricultural households in India in 2013 finds that for 70% of farmers monthly consumption expenditure is higher than their earnings from all sources, which means they are chronically in debt or say Rural Poor. Most of such farmers rely on Rural Rich – moneylenders, rich farmers and landlords to advance the money needed for cultivation and they are often forced to sell their produce to these financiers at lower than market prices.
It is the rural rich, rural India’s ruling class, who pay no income taxes, who gain the maximum benefit from farm loan waivers, who reap the bonanza from MSP and Mandi system.
Are they the Rural Rich only who are protesting against agriculture laws? No it’s both Rural Rich and Rural Poor. But why?
Rural Rich are protesting as they do not want to lose their position as powerful, controlling class of Rural economy and Rural society.
Rural Poor are Voiceless – they are the exploited lot – they are at at the mercy of Rural Rich, Mandi Agents (Adhatiyas) and AFMC corrupt officials and committees. They fear losing the clutches of Rural Rich – as the oppressed lot they always feel they need someone more powerful and rich to protect and help them, someone who is from their community, who is from their caste, who they can call any time. Of course, a large corporate or an agriculture startup will be seen as Alien compared to local Rural Rich. So, the narrative as projected by the rural rich (including by people who want to gain politically) that the Rural Poor will lose everything – is the only narrative the Rural Poor can understand and Government is not able to build an alternative and convincing narrative – hence the Rural Poor are protesting.
Are only farmers from Punjab and Haryana protesting and opposing these laws or it’s across the country?
At present based on the data available – looks like mostly it’s farmers from states like Punjab and Haryana are protesting. However, there are systematic efforts by various political parties and unions to thrust upon the new narrative of let’s follow Punjab MSP Model and get rid of all our problems – poverty, debt, reducing jobs etc.
Is Punjab model really working for Farmers? Especially for Rural Poor?
Stubble Burning in Punjab !!
Let’s look at some data again –
The average income of a farmer in Punjab is Rs. 2,16,706 per annum compared to Average income of a farmer in Uttar Pradesh which is Rs. 58,944 per annum.
The total number of land holdings are 10.93 lakh out of which 2.04 lakh (18.7%) are marginal farmers, 1.83 lakh (16.7%) small farmers and 7.06 lakh (64.6%) farmers hold land above 2 hectare.
The gross irrigated area in Punjab is 7.442 million hectare and the percentage of net irrigated sown area is 96.17% is this high percentage of irrigation – the same across the country? Of course not.
Which states take benefit of MSP and Mandi scheme the most: Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Telangana (Madhya Pradesh has already surpassed Punjab)
A 2011 paper published in the Economic and Political Weekly suggests that rich farmers are to blame the most for the sustainability crisis facing Punjab’s agriculture.
Now lets looks at the data in Uttar Pradesh – The total number of landholdings in Uttar Pradesh are 224.57 lakhs out of which 175.07 lakh (78.0%) are marginal farmers, 31.03 lakh (13.8%) small farmers, and 18.47 lakh; (8.22%) farmers hold land above 2 hectares. In Uttar Pradesh 8% farmers can be categorised as medium or large farmers whereas in Punjab this number is 64% – then what’s the logic in comparing a farmer in Punjab with farmers in Uttar Pradesh or any other state. Despite being home to the richest and most investment-oriented farmers in the country, Punjab’s agricultural growth has fallen behind the national average. In 2012-13 Punjab was ranked 23 among 28 states in terms of agricultural growth. To be sure, this is not a one-off phenomenon and has been the case in most years since the 1990s.
Let’s accept the fact that Guaranteed Minimum Support Price procurements have prevented the state’s farmers from moving into high value agriculture after their initial success during the green revolution resulting into the sustainability crisis of Punjab’s agriculture.
What are the other problems which farmers in Punjab are facing?
Is Punjab free of farmer suicides? A total of 16,606 farmers and farm laborers — including 9,007 farmers — committed suicide between 2000 and 2015 most of them in the Malwa region – 14 out of 22 states of Punjab – Sangrur, Bhatinda, Ludhiana, etc. The primary reason for these suicides is the Debt trap – for both agriculture and non-agriculture reasons such as Health* and Marriage spends.
Is Punjab becoming an epicenter of Cancer due to highly contaminated groundwater? In the Malwa region, a large number of farmers have to spend a chunk of their earnings on health issues including cancer, which is quite common here. There is even a train that carries mostly cancer patients from here to a hospital in Rajasthan. Several reasons have been attributed to the high number of cancer patients in Malwa, Punjab, including highly contaminated groundwater.)
What about the pollution due to stubble burning? Forget about Delhi – just ask any school child in Singrur, Punjab about pollution due to stubble burning – it’s unbearable.
So if it’s not the Punjab model which will help Rural Poor – what are the protesting farmers are really asking for?
The farmers especially Rural Poor in India (not only the protesting farmers) need assurance of the right Government support, the right policy framework, the availability of capital, and access to technology to move up in the ladder chain.
How the Protests can end? What’s the way forward?
If the Rural Rich and certain vested interests continue thrusting upon a narrative on Rural Poor how can the protests end in some logical conclusion?
First and foremost, both the farmer unions and central government should accept that such deep-rooted problems cannot be solved with the approach of “My Way or Highway”
Some practical suggestions-
The government of India should use the 18 months “cooling off” period to address various issues raised by farmers before implementing the new farm laws – farmer issues need to be grouped into 3 major categories o Sustainability Agriculture and Livelihood Problems of MSP dependent states like Punjab and Haryana o Increasing Average Income for Rural Poor o Fear of Private Players “pushing” the marginalized farmers to the corner.
Each of these categories of problems needs to be discussed in detail and a roadmap to address these issues need to be published – following are the steps to do so:
Form specialized committees with appropriate representations from “Grassroot level” stakeholders – Farmers, Unions, Commission Agents, Agriculture Economists, NGOs, Self Help Groups working in respective fields, Village Panchayat Bodies
Publish SOPs, bye-laws and Dos and Don’ts for private players – give more teeth to regulatory agencies to make sure that monopoly is not built in the system and farmers are not pushed to a corner in price game
Take immediate trust-building measures by conducting workshops for protesting farmers explaining them various scenarios unleased by the 3 new farm laws
Involve more neutral, accepted and respected people of the society – from all walks of life – political, religious, social and economic backgrounds to help farmers and government officers both understand facts and truths in As-Is condition
As ex-Agriculture Minister – honorable Shri Sharadchandraji Pawar suggested to include more senior ministers such as Shri Rajnath Singh ji and Shri Nitin Gadkari Ji in the dialogue with protesting farmers along with the ministers already involved in the discussions
If the talks fail then who will lose? what will happen if there are no agricultural reforms in this country?
At present considering the claims of unions, looks like close to 3 lakh to 5 lakh farmers are actively protesting against these laws. If the much-needed agricultural policy reforms are not implemented in the next 3 to 5 years – there will be at least 10 times more farmers and their families protesting against established policy norms and governments irrespective of which political party is in power.
Current times are the only time the government has to avoid such outbursts of protests from the Rural Poor and to avoid a complete collapse of the Indian Rural Economy.
About the author:
Gajanan Sakhare, PhD
The author has personally witnessed agriculture infrastructure and government support provided to farmers across the globe – India, USA, Canada and Europe. The author comes from the extended family of small and marginal farmers from Maharashtra and understands the plight of these farmers based on personal experiences. The author is also from a family of committed union leaders working for upliftment of low-income workers, so understands the plight of marginal workers and low-income government employees.
As a professional – the author works as a startup entrepreneur, loves Data Analysis as a subject and also works with various government agencies, organizations and also different political parties on the use of technology in healthcare, women safety and agriculture.
Souhardya De, 17, is a champion for the cause of Indian Art, Culture, Heritage and History. Republic Day celebrations always bring along with itself the announcement that an Indian civilian longs for: the civilian honours.
This year, 32 extraordinary champions for their causes, were awarded with the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Shakti Puraskar, the highest civilian honour “bestowed upon exceptional Indian citizens under the age of 18”. The original felicitations are held in the Durbar Hall, Rashtrapati Bhavan, a week preceding the Republic Day parade each year but this year is quite different. A virtual interaction has been held by the Prime Minister and the Minister for Women and Child Development, Ms. Smriti Irani, congratulating the awardees on their exemplary accomplishments and on winning this national laurel.
Amongst the 32 children that have been honoured, Souhardya De, an author, art and culture columnist and podcaster has been conferred this award in the field of art and culture through the medium of literature.
As stated in a reportage by the India TV, “Master Souhardya De is 16 years old and hails from Medinipur West district of West Bengal. He is an Indian author of historical fiction and mythology, and an art and culture columnist. He always aims to revive and reinvigorate Indian heritage and culture by rewriting Indian mythology and history in a way that is appealing to today’s generation. Souhardya is the youngest ever Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland. For his second book titled Chronicles of Suryavansh, he was awarded by the India Book of Records in 2019. Master Souhardya De is being awarded the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2021 for his excellence in the field of Art & Culture.”
Souhardya is a columnist and writes articles of high repute regularly for the Sunday Guardian and Lokmat Times Zest. Talking about how he felt after the recognition, De comments, “I feel gratified that I’m someone who’s been chosen amongst the few, for this honour. Honestly, this inspires me to move forward with my columns, my research and my upcoming work in particular!”
Souhardya’s upcoming book, tentatively titled, “A Dynastic Decimation”, based on the Mughal History, will be out from the famed Rupa Publications India soon!
“कभी आलू से सोना, कभी राफेल पे माफ़ी तो कभी संसद में आँख मारता ये कलमुआ छिछोरा। हज़ार बार कहा है कि मत रहा कर इन लफंगों के साथ लेकिन नहीं मानता ये। ये लड़का कुबुद्धि है तो का घर से निकाल दें? हर तीसरे दिन मार खाता है मुझसे लेकिन मानता नहीं। हज़ार बार कहा है कि उस सूजे मुँह वाला से दूर रहा कर लेकिन नहीं। उस दिग्गी टंच माल राजा से बचाया तो अब ये भजप्पा वाला सुरजेवाला गले पड़ गया।”
कहते कहते “सोनी या” “आंतो नहीं हो माई नो” काकी रोने लगी। अपने 48 साल के बौद्धिक बैकवर्ड लड़के को वो रोज गुजरात के 2 मुस्टंडो से मार खाता देखती थी तो आँखों से काजल आंसुओं के साथ फैल कर मुँह काला कर गया था। वैसे ऐसा मुँह उनका कई बार काला हुआ और अपने यूनियन कार्बाइड वाले एंडरसन अंकल को सी ऑफ करते वक्त तो पहचानी नहीं गयी थी लेकिन ये वाला दुःख ज्यादा बड़ा था। लड़का सही नहीं हो रहा था।
स्कूल में दाखिले के समय अलग से बौद्धिक पिछड़ा वर्ग यानि इंटेल्लेक्टुअली बैकवर्ड केटेगरी बनवाई गयी जिसके अकेले उम्मीदवार सुकुमार थे। हम काफी समय से काकी के आंसू पोछने की एक्टिंग कर रहे थे और ऐसा करते करते सुबह के 11 बज चुके थे। घर के बाहर युवराज की मंगला आरती के लिए भीड़ जमा थी। उस भीड़ को डरने के लिए बाउंसर्स की जगह सज्जन कुमार और जगदीश टायर-लर के साथ कलंकनाथ टायर और माचिस लिए खड़े थे।
युवराज बाहर आये, चाय की बुराई कमेटी अध्यक्ष मनी मेकर अ इयर, कॉफ़ी के साथ खड़े थे और ऑफिसियल अनाउंसमेंट के लिए छीछी थूरुर माइक पकडे थे। युवराज ने माइक संभाला, “प्यारे भाइयों और बहनों। आप सबकी दिली तमन्ना को पूरा करने हम शादी करने जा रहे हैं। आई एम हियर टू अनाउंस दैट आई एम इन लव विथ स्तूपिडिटी। हम बेवकूफी से भी शादी करेंगे। मम्मी ने आज सुबह उठाया, मैं सुबह उठा भी, उन्ने कहा कि तू बेवकूफी के चक्कर से बाहर निकल। तो आज से आप सबकी भावी भाभी होगी, बेवकूफी। जब मिले जहाँ मिले, दरबार में हाज़िर करना।”
आंतो आंटी सर पकड़ कर बैठी हैं और बेवकूफी के इस सदाबहार आशिक़ से शायद ऐसे ही परेशां रहेंगी ताउम्र। आपको इस बौद्धिक पिछड़े के लिए कहीं बेवकूफी मिले, तो इसको इत्तला करें, वैसे उसके दरबारी पत्तलकार और चाटुकार इसे सदी की महानतम लव स्टोरी बता वैलेंटाइन वीक का मजा ले रहे हैं।
