SCAMS
PHATA HERO, NIKLA POSTER!
Many years ago I watched a Bollywood movie where the hero enters a scene by tearing a film poster apart.Now, in the context of the so-called ‘big-ticket’ reforms, the hero of the movie has been torn apart but there are posters all over proclaiming him as the messiah.
For long the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has been touted as the great reformer and the saviour of the Indian economy.For long, he has been seen as the odd man out in the murky world of Indian politics.For long, he has been the darling of the media-both domestic and international.
But all hell broke loose when the Prime Minister and his government were criticised for inaction and policy paralysis especially in the context of the economic reforms in The Washington Post.
The Prime Minister has been accused of being a silent spectator to the allegations of corruption and wrongdoings of his ministers.He even had the gall to refuse any explanation.More appalling was the fact that he questioned the credibility of the CAG in estimating the loss to the exchequer arising out of the scams relating to 2G spectrum and the allocation of coal blocks.It is interesting to note that a man who always wants us to believe estimations regarding economic growth, employment creation and poverty reduction can question estimations made by others.
Like the proverbial Phoenix rising from the ashes, the Prime Minister has attempted to relaunch himself in going the distance when it comes to economic policy.Predictably, he is being hailed as being courageous enough in biting the bullet.Suddenly, the international media set the record straight in their appreciation of the work done by the Prime Minister.
I wonder how the poor Indian farmer would benefit from the FDI in multi-brand retail.I wonder how the average Indian would benefit from the FDI in the civil aviation sector.But I am not wondered by the boost that the FDI is going to do for the ‘untarnished’ reputation of the Prime Minister.
Today, the Prime Minister took to national television to explain to us poor Indians the rationale behind the reforms.He sought to highlight the benefits for the people.
Tomorrow, there will be posters in all the newspapers saying the same things in bold print.
Truly, the hero has gone and there are posters.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )OF BABUS
Scams involving cash and other kinds of benefits have become the order of the day. Politicians cutting across party lines have more than their fingers in the sticky pie. There have been allegations regarding the ‘undue’ favour shown to some while others who chose to remain straight are often left behind. Nepotism is also something that is nothing new in this country.
No one knows what fate will befall on the politicians who have been shown the door-pending further enquiry- a phrase that Indians should be proud about. There is a growing cynicism and justified also that the guilty would eventually come clean with no allegations proved-something that is the envy of the manufacturers of detergents and non-stick cookware!
There has been a hue and cry in the media about the misdeeds and the misdoings of those in power. But not much thought has been given to the role of the Officials or the Bureaucrats or the Babus. The media highlights and rightly so the sincere efforts of the Babus whilst no time or space is given in exposing their wrongdoings.
I am not suggesting that all Babus-relating to the State Level Administrative Services or those appointed by the Union Government are unscrupulous, corrupt or hand-in-glove with the politicians who are scam prone. At least a few are involved in shady dealings.
It is not uncommon to find the Babus misuse their power and influence to get things done for self or the near and dear.
In some cases, the politicians and their friends are so powerful and influential that the Officials do not want to take any risk. The files are cleared fast and without any objections. In certain cases, the Babus just seize the opportunity and join the ranks of the corrupt. When there is corruption everywhere with no fear of any punitive action it pays to swim with the current. It is a cost versus benefit analysis- the benefits in the form of riches and connections that can be encashed anytime are more powerful than the costs-postings that are not rewarding and at ‘dangerous’ places.
Whether it is Adarsh scam or the CWG loot or the 2G scam, some officials were involved in the murky dealings. It is not possible for the politicians to go through every piece of paper that comes their way and take the call. There is also the issue relating to the clearances given by the state or the central governments for various projects. Once the Courts step in and decide that something illegal took place, the projects are grounded but no action is deemed necessary action the Babus who put their signature either for fear or for favour.
We do not want those kind of Babus who are not able to do what they are supposed to do and for what they are paid for. Things have come to such a pass that urban legends and myths are created and circulated when a Civil Servant does his/her duty sincerely.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )OF BABUS
Scams involving cash and other kinds of benefits have become the order of the day. Politicians cutting across party lines have more than their fingers in the sticky pie. There have been allegations regarding the ‘undue’ favour shown to some while others who chose to remain straight are often left behind. Nepotism is also something that is nothing new in this country.
No one knows what fate will befall on the politicians who have been shown the door-pending further enquiry- a phrase that Indians should be proud about. There is a growing cynicism and justified also that the guilty would eventually come clean with no allegations proved-something that is the envy of the manufacturers of detergents and non-stick cookware!
There has been a hue and cry in the media about the misdeeds and the misdoings of those in power. But not much thought has been given to the role of the Officials or the Bureaucrats or the Babus. The media highlights and rightly so the sincere efforts of the Babus whilst no time or space is given in exposing their wrongdoings.
I am not suggesting that all Babus-relating to the State Level Administrative Services or those appointed by the Union Government are unscrupulous, corrupt or hand-in-glove with the politicians who are scam prone. At least a few are involved in shady dealings.
It is not uncommon to find the Babus misuse their power and influence to get things done for self or the near and dear.
In some cases, the politicians and their friends are so powerful and influential that the Officials do not want to take any risk. The files are cleared fast and without any objections. In certain cases, the Babus just seize the opportunity and join the ranks of the corrupt. When there is corruption everywhere with no fear of any punitive action it pays to swim with the current. It is a cost versus benefit analysis- the benefits in the form of riches and connections that can be encashed anytime are more powerful than the costs-postings that are not rewarding and at ‘dangerous’ places.
Whether it is Adarsh scam or the CWG loot or the 2G scam, some officials were involved in the murky dealings. It is not possible for the politicians to go through every piece of paper that comes their way and take the call. There is also the issue relating to the clearances given by the state or the central governments for various projects. Once the Courts step in and decide that something illegal took place, the projects are grounded but no action is deemed necessary action the Babus who put their signature either for fear or for favour.
We do not want those kind of Babus who are not able to do what they are supposed to do and for what they are paid for. Things have come to such a pass that urban legends and myths are created and circulated when a Civil Servant does his/her duty sincerely.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )
Y V SAI MADHAV 