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THE HINDU

6 Tuesday, July 4, 2023

Editorial Delhi

In short mutiny, the tarnishing of Putin’s aura of power


H
otel Moskva, near the Red Square in neutralise two of America’s allies — Israel and but Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu had delivered
the Russian capital, was one of the Turkey. At home, there was no challenge to Mr. in the past. It was Mr. Shoigu who delivered on
Smoke and mirrors most powerful architectural symbols
of the Stalinist era. Designed by the
Putin’s authority; Dmitry Medvedev, the former
President, was discredited and Nikolai Patrushev,
Crimea. It was under Mr. Shoigu that Russia made
its successful military intervention in Syria. Even
Ajit Pawar as Minister can raise tensions legendary Alexey Shchusev and opened in 1935, it arguably the second most powerful man in in Ukraine, after the initial mistakes (which
had two different facades: one wing was Russia, remained a loyal ally. Mr. Putin got the allowed the West to consolidate itself and line up
with Shinde group for the BJP straight­laced with small windows and simpler Stanly Johny Constitution rewritten so that he could, in theory, behind Ukraine with money, weapons, training
details, while the other was ornate and decorative stay in power beyond 2024, when the next and other resources), Russian troops have built

I
n a dramatic finale to political intrigues that
had  gone  on  for  months,  Nationalist  Con­ with larger windows.  presidential elections are due. Then came the huge fortifications along the front line, fighting off
gress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar has splin­ The story behind the twin design is that Ukraine war. the Ukrainian counteroffensive. Undermining the
tered  away  from  his  uncle  and  NCP  patriarch, Shchusev had submitted two designs on the same It is now clear that the Russians were not ready Ministry of Defence at this time could affect the
Sharad Pawar, to finally join hands with the Bha­ sheet of paper. Stalin affixed his signature in to fight a prolonged war in Ukraine. Like the war plans.
ratiya Janata Party (BJP) in Maharashtra. Junior between the two designs and sent it back. Afraid Russian intervention in Georgia or the annexation On the other side, Wagner has been an
Pawar was sworn in as the second Deputy Chief of checking with his boss about which one he had of Crimea, Mr. Putin wanted and expected a important geopolitical tool for the Kremlin. It has
Minister in the Council of Ministers led by Eknath selected, Shchusev combined both designs into quick victory in Ukraine. Before the war, he saw allowed Russia to expand its influence in Africa
Shinde, but it is hardly the final act in the ongoing one structure, which stood tall in Moscow as a Russia emerging stronger and the West becoming without actually committing regular Russian
drama  in  the  State’s  politics.  Mr.  Shinde  had symbol of power and fear until 2004 when it was weaker, especially after the defeat of the United troops. Wagner has also been effective on the
enacted a similar script to split from the Shiv Se­ demolished. The Four Seasons Moscow stands in States and its humiliating retreat from front line in Ukraine by capturing Soledar and
na led by Uddhav Thackeray, and replaced him as its place today. Afghanistan (Leonid Brezhnev made the same Bakhmut in Donetsk this year, which made them
Chief Minister last year. A disqualification peti­ This story is often told to show how Stalin was assessment in the mid­1970s after the U.S.’s defeat popular at least among the nationalist sections.
tion against him under the anti­defection law is to feared even by the most famous architect of in Vietnam, and would eventually send troops to So cracking down on Wagner could not only
be decided by the Maharashtra Speaker anytime, Soviet Russia. Historically, the rulers of Russia Afghanistan in 1979). Had Mr. Putin achieved a cause Russian bloodshed but also result in public
and in the event of a vacancy in the top post, Pa­ followed the axiom that it is better to be feared quick victory in Ukraine, it would have further backlash and confusion and operational inertia
war Jr. might make it. The meltdown in the NCP than loved, and commanded absolute loyalty strengthened Russia’s position as a great power in on the front line. This has put Mr. Putin in a
leaves several leaders in the middle territory bet­ from both their subordinates and the public. eastern Europe and Central Asia, besides a strong dilemma. He cannot abandon the generals; he
ween the uncle and the nephew. The patriarch Russian President Vladimir Putin’s reign has not presence in West Asia, and bolstered his standing cannot crush Wagner. So what he has chosen to
has vowed to take the defectors to task and re­ been entirely different, even though Mr. Putin has at home. do has been to make peace even at the cost of
build  the  NCP  with  popular  support,  but  at  82 always emphasised “the constitutional order” But when the Russians failed to take a quick being seen weak.
that is going to be a test of his capacity. The splin­ and legitimacy. He maintained a tight grip over victory, that opened a strategic opportunity for
ter group has claimed it has the blessings of eve­ the system he presided over. As American the Biden administration, just as the Soviet The core challenge
ryone in the party, implying a tacit understand­ academic Walter Russell Mead wrote recently, the intervention opened an opportunity for Jimmy Historically, bad wars have been bad for Russian
ing with the party founder. This is a smoke and man in the Kremlin can afford to do anything Carter and Ronald Reagan, in Afghanistan. The leaders. But, Mr. Putin is neither Nicholas II or
mirrors game in which reality and perception are except being seen as weak. U.S., which shut its embassy and fled Kyiv in the Mikhail Gorbachev. At least the past 23 years of
not easy to separate. But this aura of power and invincibility was run­up to the war, came back with a vengeance. his rule suggest that Mr. Putin is a survivor. It is to
With  the  embrace  of  NCP  defectors,  the  BJP dented on June 24, 2023 when an armed column Russia adapted itself to the new reality of a be noted that even at a moment of weakness for
has done yet another somersault in the State. The of Wagner mercenaries launched a march prolonged invasion. As the war dragged on, Mr. the regime, no one from the Russian elite came
NCP and its leaders have been accused by the BJP towards Moscow after seizing a critical regional Putin’s plan was to outlast the West in a war of out in support of the mutiny. Most of Mr. Putin’s
of promoting dynastic rule and corruption. Sev­ military headquarters in southern Russia. In a attrition. But Mr. Prigozhin’s rebellion suggests Security Council members as well as local leaders
eral of those who have joined the BJP bandwagon country where public criticism of the war can that the strains of the unlimited limited war have issued statements in support of the “motherland”
are facing various investigations. The BJP, stung land a citizen in jail, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the come home to haunt Mr. Putin himself. and the President. And immediately after the
by the crossover of its long­standing ally, the Shiv former Putin confidant and the chief of Wagner, mutiny was aborted, Mr. Putin moved in to take
Sena after the 2019 Assembly election, found an did not just launch an open mutiny against the Putin’s dilemma over Wagner’s global empire. The problem is that
easy partner in Ajit Pawar, and he was Deputy state but also walked free. Worse, this was a Mr. Prigozhin’s mutiny is a microcosm of what the mutiny might have been averted without
Chief Minister in a short­lived government led by drama that unfolded at a time when Russia was went wrong for Mr. Putin after the war was bloodshed but the underlying reasons that
the BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis. Pawar Jr. was Depu­ engaged “in an existential battle” with the launched. The mercenary chief has been triggered the mutiny — the war itself, feud
ty Chief Minister again in the Congress­Shiv Sena­ “collective West” in Ukraine. attacking Russia’s wartime defence establishment between the commanders, and the Kremlin’s
NCP government that followed. By assuming the and the way the war was being conducted for perceived weakness to control the elite — remain
office of Deputy Chief Minister as part of a third A strategic mistake months. For any observer of Russian politics, it unaddressed.
political configuration within the same Assembly, Before the Ukraine war began on February 24, was evident that something was going wrong in Last year, when Russia faced military setbacks
2022, Mr. Putin had made a host of risky The Wagner Mr. Putin’s inner circle. But still, the Russian in Kharkiv, Mr. Putin absorbed the humiliation
he has demonstrated the limitless possibilities of
opportunism. New Ministers sworn in along with geopolitical moves that helped him shore up his mutiny is a leader failed to control Mr. Prigozhin, a and ordered a partial mobilisation. But if Russia
him on Sunday represent various social groups in support at home and expand Russia’s influence microcosm of Frankenstein warlord of his own creation. And suffers more battlefield defeats, his hands would
the State. The mother faction of the NCP has in­ abroad. He neutralised Georgia through a short what has gone even after he launched the mutiny, Mr. Prigozhin further be weakened, as he himself warned of the
itiated  disqualification  proceedings  against  the but powerful intervention in 2008. He took wrong for the was allowed to walk free. Why did Mr. Putin, who Russian retreat in the First World War and the
MLAs of the splinter group, which in turn is seek­ Crimea in 2014 without a fight and backed Russian once famously said he would never forgive subsequent “state collapse”. If anything, Mr.
ing the disqualification of MLAs Jayant Patil and Russian­speaking Ukrainian rebels in the Donbas. betrayal, cut a deal with the man who challenged Prigozhin’s mutiny has tied Mr. Putin’s future
In 2015, he sent troops to Syria, which hosts President ever his authority? deeply with the result of the Ukraine war. And he
Jitendra Awhad from the Assembly, two loyalists
Russia’s only naval base outside the former Soviet since the war The answer lies in the complex power is aware of it.
of senior Pawar. The splintering of the NCP casts
a shadow on Opposition unity at the national le­ territory, and turned around the civil war.  on Ukraine structures of the Russian polity. The war in
vel of which senior Pawar has been a proponent. The Syrian intervention also helped Russia began Ukraine may not have proceeded as per the plan, stanly.johny@thehindu.co.in
It also shows the endless schemes in the BJP play­
book to retain power, and adds fresh tensions in
the  existing  alliance  between  the  BJP  and  the
Shinde faction of the Sena.
India should refuse America’s ‘NATO Plus’ bait
Clearing the water
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t was during a virtual press briefing in March Interestingly, the term ‘NATO Plus’ is not an by China, it could ultimately prove
2023 on the North Atlantic Treaty officially recognised or established concept counterproductive and detrimental. Having a
India must give a bigger push to scheme Organization’s (NATO) focus on South Asia within NATO itself, but has been used in military framework will limit India’s freedom of
and the Indo­Pacific region that the United States discussions and debates regarding the potential action and prevent it from pursuing an
to deliver potable water Permanent Representative to NATO, Julianne expansion of the alliance. The inclusion of these independent policy towards China. Moreover, at a
Smith, was quoted as saying that “the NATO countries as members would require a complex time when India has its own bilateral issues with

A
ccess to potable tap water is a basic ne­
cessity. However, of the roughly 25 crore alliance is open to more engagement, should Sakti Prasad process of negotiation and assessment of their China and a strategy for the Indo­Pacific, hopping
households in India (2016), a tap water India seek that”. Reflecting the same sentiment, Srichandan compatibility with NATO’s principles, obligations, into the Taiwan strategy of the U.S. under NATO
connection that delivers 55 litres per capita every the U.S. House Select Committee on the Strategic is Assistant Professor, and defence commitments.  Plus will complicate India’s security, with the
day of potable water is a rarity in most of rural In­ Competition between the United States and the Centre for European While NATO’s earlier target was the Soviet possibility of Chinese justification for further
dia, which accounts for about 19.5 crore house­ Chinese Communist Party (CCP), in May 2023, Studies, School of Union and now Russia, the focus of NATO Plus is military build­up along the India­China border
holds. In August 2019, Prime Minister Narendra recommended strengthening the ‘NATO­Plus’ International Studies, clearly on containing China. Therefore, and frequent intrusion.
Modi promised that rural households would be framework by including India in the grouping. Jawaharlal Nehru considering its disputes with China, India Third, India has traditionally maintained a
assured of piped, potable water by 2024 — before India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had University remains a missing link in the framework. policy of strategic autonomy, allowing it to engage
his government’s tenure ended. When he made rejected this idea by saying that “NATO template In light of increasing regional security with various nations and blocs based on its own
that commitment, only about 3.2 crore, or about does not apply to India”. Yet on the eve of Prime challenges, India joining the NATO Plus interests. Joining a NATO framework would
16% of rural households, were so connected. To­ Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the U.S., in June, framework could provide it with a security require India to align its defence and security
day, those figures stand at 64%, a substantial in­ Senate India Caucus Co­Chair Mark Warner umbrella, with protection and deterrence against policies with the objectives and strategies of the
crease but still below the target. In recent years, shared his plans to table a bill to bring India into potential threats. India could also gain access to alliance, thereby potentially undermining India’s
the  Jal  Shakti  Ministry,  which  has  labelled  this the NATO Plus fold. advanced military technologies, autonomy. While the non­aligned policy will get a
plan of providing piped water connections as the intelligence­sharing platforms, and quick death, it could strain relationships with
‘Har Ghar Jal’ missions, has consistently under­ NATO and NATO Plus inter­operability with other member­states. This countries, especially neighbours and regional
lined the scale of the exercise. Since 2019, about NATO is a transatlantic military alliance of 31 could potentially strengthen India’s defence organisations that value India’s independent
nine crore households have their own exclusive countries, with the majority of members from capabilities and modernisation efforts. But this stance, and could also limit its flexibility in
access to piped water. This is apart from connec­ Europe. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union bait needs to be assessed in the larger context of engaging with other regional powers.
tions  to  village  schools,  anganwadis  and  com­ and the end of the Cold War, many thought that India’s strategic autonomy.
munity buildings. Yet, for all this scale, it is un­ NATO would lose its relevance. On the contrary, First, getting into any NATO framework will India’s priorities
likely that all of rural India will be connected by NATO has not only survived but also expanded, annoy Russia and China. Apart from the robust India’s priorities lie in addressing its own regional
April 2023, as per Mr. Modi’s claim. The COVID­19 with Finland joining as its 31st member (April strategic partnership, Russia has been useful to dynamics that includes a unique set of security
pandemic and the Russia­Ukraine war reportedly 2023), and Sweden waiting in the wings. NATO India in dealing with regional security challenges challenges such as border disputes, terrorism,
caused the mission to slow down considerably, appears to be getting the much­needed ground The focus of and, importantly, moderating the stance of and regional conflicts. While NATO has certain
government officials claim, by impeding access to for survival, thanks to Russia’s tirade against it this NATO China. Even though Russia is getting competencies to deal with such issues, its larger
pipes and civil construction necessary to the en­ and the invasion of Ukraine. With NATO swelling framework is on over­dependent on China, post the war in geopolitical agenda starting from Eurasia to the
terprise. Realistically, it is unlikely that even 75% its expanse, some analysts even see the onset of containing Ukraine, Moscow remains a valuable partner for Indo­Pacific may divert resources and attention
of  households  will  be  connected  by  this  time. Cold War 2.0. China, and India. Should it join, in one stroke, India’s away from these pressing issues and, therefore,
While this too, by no means, is an insignificant “NATO plus” refers to a security arrangement solidified strategic partnership with Russia will will not be of much help to India. For the time
joining it has
achievement,  the  challenge  is  the  reliability  of of NATO and the five treaty allies of the U.S. — crumble. Balancing these relationships and being, India’s posturing through the Quad (India,
Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Israel, and South the potential to managing potential geopolitical consequences Japan, Australia and the U.S.; the Asian NATO as
these numbers. 
The figures reported by the Jal Shakti Ministry Korea as members — to enhance “global defence undermine would be a significant challenge for India. per China) looks more promising than the NATO
are solely based on data reported by States. One cooperation” and win the “strategic competition India’s Second, while aligning with a U.S.­led alliance Plus bait, though China remains an elephant in
proxy that presents a discouraging picture is the with the Chinese Communist Party”. autonomy system may be tempting due to the threats posed the room during its summits.
number  of  villages  that  have  been  certified  as
‘Har Ghar Jal’, or having all houses fully connect­
ed. Only 1,68,157 villages have been reported by LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
States as ‘Har Ghar Jal’ and only 59,000 or about
35% have been ‘certified’ — meaning their gram Politics and propriety Prime Minister’s ‘guarantee’ resolve to fight against the Flagging off trains should be morals and propriety, traditions — the grass
panchayats  have  formally  acknowledged  com­ Within days of the Prime of stern action against the corrupt with a ton of salt. In the last thing on the Prime overcoming narrow political courts, the all­white
pliance.  The  overwhelming  fraction  of  villages Minister’s ‘vow’ during an corrupt forced them into the pursuit of power and Minister’s mind when and personal clothing and the
have somewhere between half or three­fourths of address to Bharatiya Janata what they did. There are glory, political morality and Manipur is battling for considerations? strawberries and cream —
their households connected. An independent as­ Party (BJP) booth workers several instances of those in ethics have taken a back survival.  S.V. Venkatakrishnan, are upheld. Thank god for
sessment commissioned by the Jal Shakti Minis­ in Madhya Pradesh to act the Opposition accused of seat. Avinash Godboley, Bengaluru Wimbledon.
try  sampled  about  300,000  households  in firmly against those corruption and under S.K. Choudhury, Dewas, Madhya Pradesh Suyodh Reddy,
13,300 villages and reported 62% households as involved in corruption, a investigation being let off Bengaluru Wimbledon beckons Bengaluru
connected in October last year. That is good but number of Nationalist on their joining the BJP. Despite strong calls for the Every year for a fortnight,
too small a sample to be representative. It also Congress Party legislators This exposes the level of Even as the Pawar versus dismissal of Tamil Nadu we all fall in love with
emerges  that  the  large  States  with  100%  com­ have not only embraced the hypocrisy in the BJP and its Pawar drama goes on Minister V. Senthilbalaji, tennis. The magic of
pliance, i.e., Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, already Eknath Shinde­led strange unwillingness to act shamelessly in Maharashtra, political ego appears to be Wimbledon lies in its ability
started on a fairly high base in 2019. The Centre government but have also against the corrupt. After Manipur continues to burn. taking precedence over to preserve its history and Letters emailed to
must put in place a mechanism that discloses the been handsomely rewarded the developments in Has the much touted morals and propriety. When tradition while looking letters@thehindu.
scheme’s performance on the ground in a tran­ with ministerial posts. One Maharashtra, people will “double engine” sarkar left are our political leaders ahead. It is the spiritual co.in must carry the full postal
sparent way.  is not too sure whether the take the Prime Minister’s Manipur to its own fate? going to imbibe the right home of the sport where address.
CM M ND-NDE
YK
THE HINDU
Tuesday, July 4, 2023 7
Delhi
Opinion

A stocktake before the Global Stocktake A new chapter in an age-old saga


The Podhu Dikshitars and HR&CE officials are at loggerheads once again 

T
he Bonn Climate adopted the draft text aimed at Sustainable Development Goals of
Change Conference was working on ‘just transition 2015 and the ILO’s guidelines on
the last big milestone in pathways’, and the output will be just transition. General of Police, C. Sylendra
climate negotiations placed at COP28. STATE OF PLAY Babu, said the police, after es­
before the first Global Stocktake The Parties to the Paris Mobilising finance tablishing  prima  facie  evi­
under the Paris Agreement at Agreement had introduced ‘just Climate finance flows are not T. Ramakrishnan dence  that  child  marriages
COP28 (Conference of the Parties Anwar Sadat transition pathways’ at COP27. aligned with the priorities were being conducted in Chi­

T
28) in Dubai in December. The is Senior Assistant India’s climate policy is derived identified by countries in their he ancient Sabhanaya­ dambaram,  had  registered
Global Stocktake is mandated Professor in from the principle of common but nationally determined gar  temple,  also cases  under  Section  366A
under Article 14 (1) of the Paris International Law at differentiated responsibilities and contributions. In the domain of known as the Nataraja (procuration of minor girl) of
Agreement to assess collective the Indian Society of respective capabilities. In its international monetary transfers, temple,  in  Chidambaram  in the  Indian  Penal  Code  and
progress towards long­term global International Law, long­term low emission accounting remains highly Cuddalore  district  of  Tamil provisions  of  the  Child  Mar­
goals. This includes progress on New Delhi development strategy at COP27, contested. Many observers say Nadu is often plagued by con­ riage Restraint Act, 1929. The
greenhouse gas reduction, India underlined the need for that only a fraction of the $100 troversies. The administration Chidambaram all­women pol­
building resilience to climate “financing” a ‘just transition’ in billion has actually been realised of the temple has been a con­ celebrated  during  the  Tamil ice  wing  arrested  11  persons,
impacts, and securing finance to sectors such as energy and (At the 2009 Copenhagen Climate tentious  subject  between  the month of Aani. The Dikshithars including three women in the
address climate crisis. The transport in order to reach net Change Conference, 2020 was Podhu Dikshitars (administra­ put up a notice board outside case. Of the four affected mi­
outcome of the Global Stocktake zero emissions by 2070. Thus, made the deadline for developed tors­cum­priests)  and  the the mandapam denying access. nor  girls,  two  were  referred
will inform countries on how to ‘just transition’ means that the countries to jointly mobilise $100 State government. This  was  reportedly  opposed for a medical examination by
update and enhance their actions. transformational pathways need to billion a year of climate finance for While Chidambaram is the by some devotees who felt that a woman  doctor.  No  forced
In 2015, under the Paris be carried out in a way that is as developing countries). prime centre of Saiva philoso­ they were not able to have ‘dar­ virginity test was done, Mr. Ba­
Agreement, countries had agreed fair and inclusive as possible to Additionally, adaptation finance phy,  the  temple,  located  215 shan’  of  the  deity.  Officials  of bu asserted. Later, Health Mi­
to “pursue efforts” to limit global everyone concerned. India is has lagged behind mitigation km south of Chennai, enjoyed the  Revenue  and  HR&CE  De­ nister  Ma.  Subramanian  also
temperature rise to 1.5°C. That the concerned about the difficulties it finance, probably due to the the patronage of different rul­ partments removed the notice refuted the allegations.
Bonn Conference was held in the is going to face in decoupling its absence of universally ers  including  Simha  Varman board later. But by then, there Yet another controversy oc­
context of overweening emphasis economic development from agreed­upon metrics. At the of the Pallava dynasty, Aditya I had already been conflict bet­ curred in June­August last year
on restricting global average greenhouse gas emissions. India Conference, the Environmental of the Chola dynasty, Krishna­ ween  the  two  sides.  A  com­ when the HR&CE Department
temperature below 1.5°C as also stated that the route to ‘just Integrity Group insisted on the devaraya  of  the  Vijayanagara plaint was lodged with the Chi­ decided  to  verify  records  be­
compared to pre­industrial levels transition’ needs to be clubbed Mitigation Work Programme to be empire,  and  Nayaka  kings, dambaram  police  that  an ginning  2014  relating  to  in­
was reflected in the negotiations. with the means of yielding the finance — a move to points out T. Satyamurthy, vet­ official  of  the  HR&CE  Depart­ come and expenditure as well
The two agenda items — mitigation implementation. somewhat digress from the eran archaeologist. The sheer ment was obstructed from dis­ as audit reports, and also val­
pathways compatible with the The adoption of the ‘just transfer of major portion of historical  significance  of  the charging her duty on June 24. A uate assets and jewels belong­
temperature goal, and climate transition pathways’ in the draft international public finance from temple  has  meant  that  every case  was  then  filed  against  11 ing to the temple. Initially, the
finance flows from developed text of the United Nations the developed countries to issue  impacting  it  has  been Dikshithars.  The  Dikshithars Department  complained  that
countries to developing countries Framework Convention on developing countries. The considered newsworthy.  feel that it is customary not to the  Dikshithars  were  not
to enable them to mitigate Climate Change’s Subsidiary Body objective of the Mitigation Work In  1885,  a  question  was permit devotees atop the man­ cooperating  with  its  officials.
greenhouse gas emissions (in line of Implementation is also aligned Programme, as per the COP26 placed before the Madras High dapam  for  reasons  including But in August, there was no is­
with Article 4.5 of the Paris with the Paris Agreement strand, mandate, is to urgently scale up Court on whether the temple the  security  of  jewellery. sue  between  the  two  sides
Agreement) — remained points of which is self­differentiation mitigation ambitions and was public or private proper­ HR&CE  officials  argue  against when  the  officials  took  stock
contention between the grounded in the idea of nationally implementation in this decade in a ty.  This  is  still  being  debated the denial of permission to the of the jewellery and other va­
developing countries and the determined contributions. This manner that complements the animatedly,  even  though  a devotees on any day. luables,  which  the  temple
Environmental Integrity Group bottom­up approach was inserted Global Stocktake. The programme 2014 judgment of the Supreme In May last year too, the is­ owned. Even at the time of ap­
represented by the European in the Paris Agreement with the will work along a number of lines Court  reinforced  the  right  of sue  of  ‘darshan’  of  the  deity praisal  of  the  jewellery,  the
Union and others. The signal from idea of allowing developing which could include organising the Dikshithars to administer from the Kanagasabai manda­ Dikshithars  said  that  the  De­
the Bonn Conference was that countries, which face special workshops to identifying policies the  temple  and  reaffirmed pam was raised, when restric­ partment had “no locus stan­
developing countries too need to needs and circumstances, to align and technologies that are their  position  as  a  religious tions were imposed in view of di”  to  verify  the  records  or
be more ambitious in their their low­carbon development actionable solutions. denomination. the pandemic. HR&CE Minis­ take  stock  of  the  jewellery.
emission reduction if the world is pathways that integrate In the efforts towards aligning The  latest  incident,  which ter  P.K.  Sekar  Babu  had  said They said that they had coop­
to limit rising global average socio­economic components in climate finance with the Paris sparked  a  row  between  the that  the  government  would erated  with  the  Department
temperatures in the context of The  Bonn line with state­determined Agreement temperature goals, it is Dikshithars  and  the  State  go­ take a call on the matter, citing only to “establish transparen­
adequate finance being provided Climate  Change development priorities. In the important to integrate the World vernment’s Hindu Religous and a ruling  of  the  High  Court. cy  and  accountability  in  the
by the developed north. Conference Bonn negotiations, developing Bank in climate change Charitable  Endowments Thereafter, there was silence. maintenance of jewellery”.
showed  that countries were able to strengthen negotiations and hold it (HR&CE)  Department,  meant Controversy  struck  the Now, no solution seems to
Just transition pathways countries  are  far the ‘just transition pathways’ as accountable as it is making huge for the administration and su­ temple  a  few  months  ago be  in  sight  as  both  the  sides
On June 14, climate change from  making opposed to the developed investments in fossil fuels. pervision of about 45,810 reli­ when  Governor  R.N.  Ravi  al­ are holding firm on their tradi­
negotiators arrived on a countries which which laid more Therefore, the pursuance of the gious institutions, was the de­ leged  that  the  two­finger  test tional  positions.  Unless  the
collective
compromise on one of the emphasis on mitigation. ‘Just Global Stocktake as per the Paris nial of access to devotees to the was conducted in October last two parties come to an amica­
aspects, which relates to the work progress  in transition’ also helps the parties in Agreement needs to comply with Kanagasabai  mandapam  for year on minor girls belonging ble  understanding,  another
programme on ‘just transition tackling  climate respecting other soft obligations the principle of equity, justice and worship during four days of Aa­ to the community of Dikshith­ round  of  litigation  over  the
pathways’. The subsidiary body change emanating from the UN fairness. ni  Thirumanjanam,  a  festival ars.  The  erstwhile  Director­ temple looks imminent.

Malappuram, Palakkad, Wayanad lag behind other Kerala districts F RO M T H E A RC HI V E S

While inter­district disparities exist, they were not as stark in Kerala compared to Tamil Nadu
FIFTY YEARS AGO JULY  4,  1973

compared to close to 15% in Palak­ Postal concession in newspapers:
DATA POINT kad and Malappuram.  Simpler procedure 
Chart 3 shows the share of chil­
Rebecca Rose Varghese, Jibrail dren  under  the  age  of  five  years
Ismail & Hudson Joshiya J. who were stunted (low height for Bhubaneswar, July 3: Mr. Bahuguna, Union
age)  in  2019­21.  In  Wayanad,  Ma­ Minister of State for Communications, yesterday

I
t  is  a  well­documented  fact lappuram  and  Palakkad,  close  to said that the existing procedure for obtaining
that Kerala ranks first on ma­ 30% of children were stunted com­ concessions in rates in posting newspapers to
ny socio­economic indicators pared  to  just  15.5%  in  Kollam.  In subscribers had been simplified. He told the
compared to other States. For in­ Kannur  and  Thiruvananthapu­ Consultative Committee of Parliament attached
stance, it has a low share of teen­ ram, the share was less than 20%. to his Ministry that to overcome difficulties faced
age marriages, low infant mortali­ Chart  4  shows  the  number  of by publishers of newspapers and expedite the
ty  ratio,  a  low  share  of  stunted hospital beds available (excluding process of registration it had been decided that
children, and a high share of peo­ Ayush beds) per 1 lakh population the submission and subsequent verification of
ple using sanitation facilities com­ in  2021­22.  While  in  Malappuram the list of bona fide subscribers would be done
pared  to  other  States.  In  fact,  it and Palakkad, less than 100 beds away with. The powers of registration would be
stands  out  on  many  indicators were  available  per  1  lakh  people, delegated to Superintendents or Senior
even  among  the  relatively  ad­ more than 200 beds per 1 lakh pe­ Superintendents of Post Offices concerned to
vanced southern States.  ople were available in Alappuzha, expedite the grant of registration. He announced
However,  significant  inter­dis­ Thiruvananthapuram  and  Kot­ that it had been decided to reduce registration
trict disparities exist across many tayam.  charges on books up to a total value of Rs. 5 by
indicators.  The  differences  bet­ Chart  5 shows  the  per  capita 50 per cent that is, the registration fee would be
ween relatively rich districts such gross  value  added  (GVA)  at  basic only 50 paise instead of the usual one rupee.
as  Ernakulam,  Alappuzha,  Thris­ price in 2020­21 (in ₹). In Wayanad This would help small publishers. The
sur and Thiruvananthapuram and and  Malappuram,  the  per  capita department would incur a loss of Rs. one lakh
relatively  poor  districts  such  as GVA  was  less  than  ₹1  lakh  com­ annually as a result of this connection. Village
Kasaragod,  Palakkad,  Wayanad pared  to  Alappuzha  and  Ernaku­ post offices, he said, would be given enough
and Malappuram were considera­ lam where it crossed the ₹1.7 lakh cash to pay money orders without difficulty. A
bly high across many of the param­ mark.  Kollam,  Kottayam  and group maintenance scheme “consisting of teams
eters considered in this analysis.  Thrissur were also among the rich­ of engineering supervisors and technicians” had
This is the second story in a se­ er districts with a per capita GVA been evolved and these teams would visit small
ries of Data Points exploring inter­ of close to ₹1.4 lakh, while Kasara­ telephone exchanges and rectify faults and
district  differences  in  southern god, Pathanamthitta and Palakkad improve the quality of service to subscribers. Six
States. In the first story, published were among the poorer districts.  more regional training centres for engineering
on June 26, Tamil Nadu’s numbers Chart  6 shows  the  number  of personnel would be opened.
were analysed. Here, Kerala’s dis­ public  sector  workers  per  lakh
trict­wise  variations  have  been population in 2022. A huge gulf ex­
analysed across eight indicators. It ists between districts such as Thi­
is important to note that the inter­ ruvananthapuram and Ernakulam A HUNDRED YEARS AGO JULY  4,  1923
district variations are not as stark and Malappuram and Kasaragod. 
in Kerala as it was in Tamil Nadu. Chart  7 shows  the  number  of Wimbledon tennis
Chart 1 shows the share of hou­ micro,  small  and  medium  enter­
seholds that used clean fuel (elec­ prises (2020­21) for every one lakh championships 
tricity, LPG/natural gas, biogas) for people in the population. Ernaku­
cooking  in  2019­21.  Over  88%  of lam  and  Thiruvananthapuram London, July 4: At Wimbledon, in glorious
households  in  Ernakulam  used performed  better  than  other  dis­ weather, in Men’s Singles Johnston defeated
clean  fuel  compared  to  Idukki’s tricts by a huge margin while Ma­ Campbell by 6­1, 5­7, 6­2, 6­2 and Norton
54%.  While  80%  or  more  house­ lappuram lagged behind. defeated Woosnam by 7­5, 6­5, 6­1. This brings
holds  in  Alappuzha  and  Kollam Chart  8 shows  the  share  of Johnson and Norton into opposition in the
used clean fuel, only 60% or a low­ landless households deriving a ma­ semi­finals. Other semi­finalists will be the
er  share  of  households  in  Waya­ jor part of their income from an­ winners of the sixth round ties: Degoman
nad, Malappuram and Pathanam­ nual  casual  labour  according  to Vertys, Hunter and Major E. Evans. Degomar
thitta used such fuel.  Census 2011. More than 25% of the beat Greig in the fifth round by 4­6, 6­0, 6­1, 6­4.
Chart 2 shows the share of wo­ population in Palakkad, Malappu­ Campbell put up a heroic fight against
men  aged  20­24  years  who  mar­ ram  and  Wayanad  came  in  this Johnston’s terrific pace which tired him. He has
ried as teenagers. In Thrissur, Kot­ bracket while in Ernakulam, Kot­ the consolation of being the first Britisher to
tayam and Kollam, less than 1% of tayam and Kannur the share was capture a set from the American during the
women were married as teenagers less than 15%. Championships.
CM M ND-NDE
YK
Delhi www.thehindu.com Tuesday, July 4, 2023
● ●

Text&Context 0 
NEWS  IN  NUMBERS
The rise of India’s total The ₹2,000 notes Recaptured area from Fresh IMF loan to Bodies from Balasore
coal production in the which have been Russia last week, Pakistan in the next triple train crash await
first quarter returned to banks according to Ukraine nine months identification

8 76 37 3 52
in percent. The total coal In percent. The notes have In square kilometres. Kyiv in $ billion. With this, Pakistan will bodies, according to the
production rose to 222.93 million mostly been returned through announced a counteroffensive become the fourth largest Bhubaneshwar Municipal
tonnes in April­June of 2023­2024. A deposits, according to the several weeks ago after International Monetary Fund (IMF) Corporation. Twenty­nine
year ago, overall coal output was 205.65 Reserve Bank of India (RBI). This comes accumulating stockpiles of Western borrower in the world, overtaking Ecuador bodies have been identified through DNA
million tonnes in the same quarter. The after RBI’s May 19 announcement for the ammunition. Ukrainian forces are coming which had IMF loans worth $8.2 billion. It is testing and out of that, 22 bodies were
total coal stock surged 37.62% from a year withdrawal of ₹2,000 notes from up against Russian defensive positions also the largest IMF borrower in the Asian cremated by Sunday, an official said.  PTI
ago.  PTI circulation.  PTI along the southern and eastern fronts.  AFP region.  PTI COMPILED BY THE HINDU DATA TEAM

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Butting heads: Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal during the inauguration of the East Campus of Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University in New Delhi on June 8. ANI

The legality of the Delhi Ordinance


The Ordinance promulgated by the President on May 19 amended the GNCTD Act and took away the services from the jurisdiction of the Delhi government. However, the
Supreme Court has held in a large number of cases that since Parliament does not possess judicial powers, it cannot negate the decision of the Court 

LETTER & SPIRIT jurisdiction of the Delhi Assembly and the the two members can take all decisions conveyed to the governor who signs the THE GIST


government on the constitutional makes the purpose of constituting this summons. This is the practice followed in
mandate contained in Article 239AA (3)(a) authority all too obvious. The highfalutin all countries where the parliamentary
P.D.T. Achary which states that Delhi’s Legislative name of the authority and the Chief system of government exists. But a 쑽
Assembly shall have the power to make Minister being the chairman cannot hide strange and inscrutable procedure has The Ordinance promulgated by

T
he Ordinance promulgated by laws with respect to any of the matters the real object of this provision. All been introduced by this Ordinance. the President on May 19
the President on May 19, 2023 enumerated in the State list or the decisions relating to posting, transfer, Under this new procedure the proposal amending the Government of
amending the Government of concurrent list except the three excluded disciplinary issues etc. will be taken by for convening the Assembly shall be National Capital Territory of
National Capital Territory of items such as police, public order and the two officers and the opinion of the submitted through the Chief Secretary to Delhi Act 1991 took away the
Delhi Act 1991(GNCTD Act) took away the land. Since the executive power is Chief Minister will have no value. These the Lieutenant Governor and the Chief services from the jurisdiction of
services from the jurisdiction of the Delhi co­extensive with the legislative power the decisions will then be forwarded to the Minister for their ‘opinion’ before issuing the Delhi government. The
government. The services had been Government of NCTD gets all the powers Lieutenant Governor of Delhi whose the summons. While Section 6 of the services had been earlier
earlier restored to the Delhi government to deal with the services. This position decision shall be final.  GNCTD Act says that the Lieutenant restored to the Delhi
by the Supreme Court in a landmark was affirmed by the Constitution Bench in Such a statutory body, wherein all Governor shall from time to time be able government by the Supreme
judgment delivered on May 11, 2023. The 2018 and is now reaffirmed by another decisions are taken by bureaucrats and to summon the Assembly, he does so on Court in a landmark judgment
Ordinance nullifies that judgment of the Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court the opinion of an elected Chief Minister the advice of the council of ministers. He delivered on May 11, 2023. 
Supreme Court. The Court had found that in its latest judgment. can just be ignored, is unheard of in cannot decide to summon the House on 쑽
if a government does not have control Now, the law declared by the Supreme administrative history. This provision his own whatever be his opinion.
over its officers it would paralyse Court is sought to be negated by this does not square with the content of Furthermore, it is the Chief Minister and No authority is empowered to
governance which cannot be the Ordinance in the following ways — Section Article 239AA (4) of the Constitution his ministers collectively who decide to direct anyone that an order of
intention of the Constitution makers 3A of the new GNCTD Act (inserted which confers the power on the council of summon the House. Therefore, it is the Court shall have no effect
and shall not be followed. And
while incorporating Article 239AA, which through the Ordinance) says that ministers headed by the Chief Minister to absurd to provide for seeking the opinion
since the Ordinance does not
gives a special constitutional status to notwithstanding anything contained in deal with all administrative matters of the Chief Minister or the Lieutenant
cite any new ground for
Delhi. So the Court held that “legislative any judgment of any court, the Legislative relating to the governance of the Union Governor before the summons is issued. nullifying the judgment, it
and executive power over services such as Assembly shall not have the power to Territory of Delhi except the exempted Therefore, when we analyse the key becomes legally unsustainable.
the Indian Administrative Services or Joint make laws with respect to any matter items. provisions of this Ordinance in terms of
Cadre Services which are relevant for the enumerated in entry 41 which means Article 239AA as well as the GNCTD Act 쑽
implementation of policies and vision of services. These words clearly indicate that Other key provisions 1991, it will be found to not be in The Ordinance confers the
NCTD [National Capital Territory of Delhi] this section seeks to nullify the judgment This Ordinance contains another curious conformity with the Constitution. Article powers of posting, transfer and
in terms of day­to­day administration of of the Supreme Court. No authority is provision under which if the secretary to 239AA (7) empowers Parliament to make disciplinary matters on an
the region shall lie with the NCTD.” empowered to direct anyone that an the council of ministers forms an opinion a law to supplement the provisions authority named the National
order of the Court shall have no effect and that the cabinet decision is not in contained in that article.  Capital Civil Services Authority
The validity of the Ordinance shall not be followed. And since the accordance with the law or rules of To supplement the provisions does not consisting of a chairman and
The Ordinance which has nullified the Ordinance does not cite any new ground procedure, he can bring it to the notice of mean making contrary provisions. two members. The Chief
court’s decision raises serious legal and for nullifying the judgment, it becomes the Lieutenant Governor for his decision Parliament has not been given any power Minister is made the chairman
constitutional questions. The first legally unsustainable. thereon. In effect the secretary has the by this Article to make a law conferring all and the Chief Secretary and the
question which arises is whether an power to review the cabinet decision. All powers on the Lieutenant Governor with Home Secretary are the other
Ordinance promulgated by the President Overriding the Chief Minister that is required is for the secretary to respect to the administration of the members.
or a Bill passed by Parliament can nullify After taking away the services from the form an opinion. He can then act on such territory of Delhi. Similarly, it also does
the Court’s decision. The Supreme Court Delhi government, the Ordinance confers opinion by referring it to the Lieutenant not empower the President either to
has held in a large number of cases that the powers of posting, transfer and Governor who can rescind the cabinet make a law conferring powers on
since Parliament does not possess judicial disciplinary matters on an authority decision. bureaucrats to review the decision of the
powers, it cannot negate the decision of named the National Capital Civil Services There is yet another provision (45 J (4)) cabinet or vote out the Chief Minister in
the Court without changing the basis of Authority consisting of a chairman and which introduces a new procedure for matters of posting, transfer and
that decision. The Ordinance does not two members. The Chief Minister is made summoning and proroguing a session of disciplinary actions.
furnish any ground for nullifying the the chairman and the Chief Secretary and the Assembly. Under the present Thus, the Ordinance as it stands suffers
Court’s decision.  the Home Secretary are the other constitutional system, the decision to from serious legal infirmities.
The Supreme Court based its decision members. With two members convene a session of the legislature is P.D.T Achary is the former Secretary
to bring the services within the constituting the quorum and the fact that taken by the cabinet. Thereafter it is General of the Lok Sabha
CM M ND-NDE
YK
THE HINDU
Tuesday, July 4, 2023 9
Delhi
Text&Context
KEYWORD

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Know your
English
K. Subrahmanian

“Sir, Ms. N. Usha, 683, West of Chord
Road, Rajaji Nagar, Bangalore, wants to
know whether ‘I myself’ is correct.”
“’I myself’ is used for emphasis. I
myself saw it. I myself went there. ‘I went
there’ and ‘I myself went there’ mean the
same. But ‘I myself went there’ is
emphatic. I went there myself is also
emphatic. ‘Myself’ is used as a reflexive
also. I hurt myself. It is also used
informally to mean ‘my real, true or
actual self’. I am not myself today. ‘All by
myself’ means ‘alone, without help’. I
managed it all by myself. I did it all by
myself. What has been said of ‘myself’ is
generally applicable to ‘himself’,
‘herself’, ‘yourself’, ‘themselves’.”
“Sir Mr. V. M. Skariah, 31, IV Street,
Railar Nagar, Madurai, wants to know
what a ‘graduate course’ is.”
“A graduate is one who has got a first
GETTY IMAGES degree at a university. 
He is a graduate of Calcutta University. 
A graduate student is a postgraduate

Greedflation and its counter arguments: student. In America, a graduate school is
a department in a university where
postgraduate students are taught. The

how consumers ultimately decide prices 
Graduate School of Mass Communication
at Stanford University is very famous. A
graduate course is a course offered by a
Graduate School. In universities, ‘school’
is ‘a department concerned with a
Many economists have questioned the validity of the argument that corporate thirst for higher profits is the cause behind inflation. They see it as particular subject’. School of Law, School
mostly a political narrative built around the issue of inflation rather than as a economic explanation of high inflation since the pandemic of Oriental and African Studies, School of
Dentistry. An undergraduate is a student
at a university or college who is studying
Prashanth Perumal Economists who disagree with the services. There is, however, no evidence the U.S. economy, so their rising profit for the first degree.”
greedflation narrative argue that to suggest that there has been a deliberate margins may not present a true picture of “Sir, Mr. S. Somayya wants to know

G
reedflation refers to price businesses, whether they are large reduction in the output of U.S. the health of businesses in the wider whether there is a difference between
inflation caused by corporate corporations or small companies, cannot corporations recently. Even if economy. In fact, it could well be the case ‘handkerchief’ and ‘kerchief’.”
greed for high profits. arbitrarily set prices as many people seem corporations cut down their output, the that large U.S. corporations benefited “In British English, ‘kerchief’ means ‘a
Progressives in the United to erroneously believe. Businesses set drop in output is likely to be temporary as from the demise of smaller businesses piece of cloth or lace used as a
States have accused corporate greed as a prices for their products based on what other suppliers would rush to meet the during the pandemic by capturing more head­covering’. In American English
major reason for the historically high consumers would be willing to pay for demand.  of their market share. ‘kerchief’ and ‘handkerchief’ are
price inflation in the U.S. since the these products. In other words, It is thus extremely unlikely that U.S. While this suggests that the market interchangeable. In American English,
pandemic. The proponents of the idea of businesses cannot force consumers to pay corporations caused prices to rise across dominance of U.S. corporations may have ‘kerchief’ is also used in the sense in
greedflation argue that corporate profit a certain price for their goods; they can the board in recent years by somehow risen considerably, particularly since which it is used in British English. In
margins have risen significantly since the only try to gauge the maximum price that adversely influencing the aggregate rising profit margins could possibly be a colloquial English, British and American,
pandemic even though the larger consumers would be willing to pay and supply of goods.  sign of weakening competition among ‘hanky’ is used to mean ‘handkerchief’. 
economy has struggled and that this has set prices accordingly in order to The current bout of high inflation in businesses, it still does not mean that Where did I leave my hanky? 
contributed to high inflation. They maximise their profits. If a business sets the U.S., most economists believe, is rising profit margins are the reason He is like a used hanky, crumpled and
contend that the U.S. corporations have the price of its product too high, this much better explained by the U.S. Federal behind high inflation. As noted earlier, smelly. 
allegedly increased the prices of their would cause its goods to go unsold and Reserve’s expansionary monetary policy prices are ultimately determined by ‘Kerchief’ is from French ‘cover­chef’,
goods by more than what was necessary the business would have no choice but to during the pandemic which put more buyers and not by sellers. ‘cover­head’, a piece of cloth used to
to compensate for higher input costs lower the price of its product to clear its money in the hands of U.S. consumers, Greedflation has been compared to cover the head. When it became
caused by supply­chain bottlenecks.  unsold stock.  who in turn have bid up the prices of other theories of “cost­push” inflation fashionable to carry such a piece of cloth
Proponents of the greedflation theory In short, while businesses have the goods and services in the economy. The which attribute inflation to a rise in input in the hand, it came to be called
of inflation see this as a sign of increased freedom to raise or lower the prices of U.S. money supply rose by a whopping costs. For example, in the past, a rise in handkerchief. A handkerchief is literally a
market dominance by corporations, and their products, it is ultimately consumers 40% in the wake of the pandemic and this the wages demanded by workers has head­cover carried in the hand. A pocket
have called for efforts to rein in market who determine the price of any product combined with supply­chain bottlenecks been blamed for the rise in the prices of handkerchief is a ‘thing to cover the head
power of large corporations and some in the market. So be the case, it may not caused by stringent lockdowns led to high goods and services. In the case of to be carried in the hand, to be put in the
have even advocated for a ban on price be sound to argue that corporate greed is inflation. greedflation, it is the rise in the corporate pocket.’ The word has travelled from the
hikes to prevent “profiteering”. behind the rise in inflation. thirst for profits that is seen as a cost that head to the pocket through the hand.”
Where did the profits come from? is driving up prices.  “Ms. M. Alagu wants to know the
Questioning the narrative The primacy of consumers  Economists have also pointed out that the A criticism of the cost­push theory of meaning and pronunciation of
Many economists, however, have Moreover, inflation refers to a general rise cost of inputs used by businesses has inflation has been that it ignores the fact ‘fortuitous’.”
questioned the validity of the argument in the price level (meaning a widespread risen at a faster pace than the pace at that the cost of producing any good is “’Fortuitous’ means ‘happening by
that corporate thirst for higher profits is rise in the prices of goods and services which the prices of consumer goods have itself determined indirectly, but chance’, ‘accidental’. 
the cause behind inflation. They see across the broader economy) rather than risen. In such a climate, the rise in the ultimately, by consumers. It should be I met him last week. It was a fortuitous
greedflation as a political narrative built in the prices of individual goods and profit margins of corporations has come noted that the cost of inputs, which can meeting. 
around the issue of inflation rather than services. The only way corporations can as a surprise. It should be noted, however, be used towards different alternative ends It was a fortuitous discovery. 
as a serious economic explanation of high influence the overall price level is by that corporations represent just a tiny of society, is determined by competitive ‘Fort’ rhymes with ‘thought’; ‘r’ is
inflation since the pandemic. reducing the supply of goods and share of the total number of businesses in bidding in the market. silent’; ‘ui’ is pronounced like the ‘ui’ in
‘tuition’ and ‘intuition’; ‘ou’ is
pronounced like the ‘a’ in ‘China’; ‘s’ is
pronounced like the ‘s’ in ‘son’. ‘Fortune’
and ‘fortuitous’ are related words.
Please send in your answers to 
THE DAILY QUIZ dailyquiz@thehindu.co.in
‘Fortuna’ in Latin means ‘chance’, ‘fate’,
‘fortune’.”
Published in The Hindu on July 12, 1988

The Declaration of Independence, the founding document of USA, was adopted on July
4, 1776. A quiz on the 247th anniversary of the momentous event
V. V. Ramanan X Questions and Answers to the previous
QUESTION 4 day’s daily quiz: 1. This word means “given
X Name the founding to drunken revelry” and originates from
QUESTION 1 father who actually Roman festivals dedicated to this Greek god.
In which famous city wrote the Declaration Ans: Bacchanalian; Bacchus (Roman name
was the document and in what other way for Dionysus)
adopted and how is he connected to July 2. This word originates from the name of this
many ‘founding 4? fictional French soldier who served in
fathers’ signed the X Napolean’s army. Ans: Chauvinism; Nicolas
historic document? QUESTION 5 Chauvin
X Though Congress 3. This word is a synonym of “hedonist” and is
QUESTION 2 adopted the derived from this Greek philosopher. Ans:
What is the abiding Declaration on July 4, Epicurean; Epicurus
claim to fame of when was it formally 4. This word, meaning “excessively optimistic”,
John Hancock as signed? originates from this novella written by
regards the X Voltaire. Ans: Panglossian; Candide
signatories to the QUESTION 6 5. This word is derived from the first recorded
document? What is the message legislator of Athens in ancient Greece. Ans: For feedback and suggestions for 
X written on the back of X Draco, Draconian Text & Context, please write to
QUESTION 3 the Declaration of Visual question: Visual: Identify this film. Ans: The Trial letters@thehindu.co.in
What are the ‘Dunlap Independence stored in What moment does this famous John Turnbull painting Declaration of Independence depict? Early Birds: Vidya. V| M. Suresh Kumar| K. N. with the subject ‘Text & Context’
Broadsides’? the National Archives? WIKIMEDIA COMMONS Viswanathan| Anu Gupta| Barnika Bera 
CM M ND-NDE
YK
4 . bl . think
MUMBAI

businessline.
TUESDAY ­ JULY 4 ­ 2023

Ajay Srivastava

Green hydrogen, an
G
reen Hydrogen refers to
TUESDAY ­ JULY 4, 2023 hydrogen produced using

expensive option
electricity generated by
clean energy sources like

Seeing red solar or wind power. The


government on June 30 announced a
₹17,490­crore Green Hydrogen package.
Where should the money be spent?
Tomato inflation must be viewed in perspective  Despite its potential, the government COSTLY MOVE. The cost of producing power from hydrogen
should not subsidise its production and is high and the use of drinking water also makes it unviable
use. Green Hydrogen is 6­8 times more
rom time to time, heated debates have

F
expensive than regular fuels, and the
ensued over seasonal spikes in tomato and technology is still evolving. The money
would be best spent on research and
onion prices — and it is no different now. development of Green Hydrogen
According to a recent report by Bank of Baroda, production and subsequent supply
average retail tomato prices were up 38.5 per cent in chain.
Why world is talking about the Green
June 2023 in sequential terms. A report by Nabard Hydrogen?
prepared last month says that of the ‘TOP’ family As the world transitions away from
(tomato, onion and potato), tomato prices are the fossil fuels towards cleaner energy
sources, we have hit a road block. Solar
most volatile, with the farmer often bearing the or wind energy are not suitable for
brunt of a price crash in the winter months. A energy dense applications like aircraft or
common feature of the TOP crops is that they are automobile fuel or melting steel. Green
Hydrogen overcomes this limitations by
grown basically in three or four States, are sensitive storing energy in a dense chemical form,
to variations in rainfall and heat, are not available all enabling its use in energy­intensive
the time, but are in constant demand.  sectors.
For example, it can power fuel cells in
Tomato is particularly hard to store or vehicles, trucks, and ships. It can replace
preserve — which explains its higher price coke in steel­making, facilitating the
production of green steel. Moreover, it
volatility, even as onion comes a close can be burned in combustible turbines compression, which increases costs. infrastructure and facilities. be at most five per cent by 2050.
second. A slight supply shock is amplified. to generate electricity for distribution. Transportation requires specialised Furthermore, the technology still needs Green Hydrogen technology and
As BoB’s report says, there has now been a These applications of Green Hydrogen infrastructure due to hydrogen’s to be proven on a large scale. ecosystem is expected to take at least 20
supply shock in Gujarat, Chhatisgarh and are free from carbon dioxide emissions. flammability and corrosiveness. Loss of 70 per cent of hydrogen during years to mature and become a
Additionally, storage tanks must be production to end use. Hydrogen is very competitive fuel option.
Tamil Nadu. While Andhra Pradesh, NOT THE BEST OPTION designed to handle high pressure and light and highly volatile and hence leaks At the current price, for Green
Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka account for Seven Factors make Green Hydrogen an low temperatures. Energy losses can at each stage, from production to Hydrogen to become widely adopted in
about a third of total tomato output, the unviable option for India for at least occur at various stages throughout the end­use. any country, massive government
other three States make up another 15­17 next 10 years. supply chain, highlighting the Hydrogen is called grey, dark blue, subsidies and policies would be
High cost: Here is a rough guide to importance of addressing efficiency light blue or green based on the intensity required. Therefore, while India can
per cent. What worsens this output shock is the average cost of electricity generated challenges in the Green Hydrogen of carbon dioxide emissions into the engage in research­level activities
the lack of precise information on output in cents/kilowatt­hour (kWh) from industry. atmosphere during its production. Grey related to Green Hydrogen, subsidising
and cropping patterns. It is inexplicable various sources. Natural Gas (2­5), Coal High safety concerns: Hydrogen is Hydrogen accounts for almost all the its use may not be advisable.
that this should be so in the age of satellite (5­10), Grey Hydrogen (4), Dark Blue highly flammable and corrosive and hydrogen used in the world. When about Developing Green Hydrogen
and drone imagery. Middlemen thrive on Hydrogen (6), Light blue Hydrogen (8). needs special containers/pipelines to half the carbon atoms emitted during ecosystem is expensive. For India,
Wind (2­4), Solar (4­6). The cost for withstand high pressure and wear and grey hydrogen production are captured, experts have estimated the government
information asymmetry, while Green Hydrogen made from solar/wind tear. Addressing these concerns the hydrogen is termed dark blue.  support of $100 billion to produce 5.5
policymakers too are unable to take the is the highest at 22.5 cents per kWh. increases costs. And if over 90 per cent of carbon MMT of Green Hydrogen in the next few
right steps. Better storage, processing, Low production efficiency: The Green Steel cost exceeds 40­60 per atoms are captured, the hydrogen is years. India should better invest on
exports and transportation can ensure that production process called electrolysis cent of regular steel. To produce two called light blue. Hydrogen quality stabilising grid power and elevating its
starts when the electricity from wind or million tonnes of hydrogen­based steel, remains unchanged, but the name renewable energy share to meet our net
prices are smoothened across regions and solar sources is passed through a large about 1.5 lakh tonnes of Green changes based on the emissions zero goals by 2070.
over time, while information flows can box called an electrolyzer filled with Hydrogen is required which will need captured. The cost increases as the In the absence of stabilised grid
reduce middlemen margins. Besides, the clean hot drinking water. The platinum power from 600 to 1000 wind turbines. carbon capture increases. power, firms install captive power plants
introduction of forward markets can be cathodes and anodes in the container This would require significant capital Green Hydrogen is 6­8 times more resulting in higher emissions.
use electricity to break water molecules expenditure to set up the necessary expensive than the standard energy India already faces hefty bills for
considered.  into Hydrogen and Oxygen. The options. To bridge the cost gap the EU importing minerals like Copper,
A study on ‘TOP’ value chains by Ashok Hydrogen thus produced is called Green has committed to spending $350 billion Lithium, Nickel, Gallium, and Indium,
Gulati, Harsh Wardhan and Pravesh Hydrogen. One­third of energy is lost in on adopting Green Hydrogen by 2030. crucial for setting up wind and solar
Sharma points out that tomato growers this process. Electrolyzers are expensive Developing  Green The US offers a $3/kg subsidy for the facilities and producing energy storage
earn less than a third of the final product as they are yet to be standardised and Hydrogen  ecosystem  is Green Hydrogen produced through its batteries.
mass­produced. Inflation Reduction Act. Indian industry should explore
price , while retailers and middlemen earn Pressure on drinking water supply: expensive.  For  India, optimising costs by combining use of
the rest. India accounts for just 2 per cent The primary raw material for making experts  have  estimated INDIA STRATEGY grid power and grey and blue hydrogen.
of the global exports of tomatoes, despite Green Hydrogen is clean drinking water. Yet, despite all hype, the private sector, This will be more cost­effective than
being the second largest tomato producer In Electrolysis, industrial use of clean the  government  support  of globally has invested less than $30 using green hydrogen. The government
in the world. The conversion into value
drinking water will pressure the $100  billion  to  produce  5.5 billion on Green Hydrogen projects so must finance pilot projects for doing
municipal water supply. far. As a result, less than one per cent of this.
added forms has simply not picked up. It is Low supply chain efficiency: The low MMT  of  Green  Hydrogen 80 MMT of Hydrogen produced annually
possible to spread output across States. density of hydrogen necessitates in  the  next  few  years is green. Its global energy use share may The writer is founder, Global Trade Research Initiative
The Centre introduced Operation Greens
in 2018 for subsidising 50 per cent of the
storage and transportation costs in the case
of TOP (later expanded to all fruits and
vegetables), particularly aimed at FPOs and
cooperatives in this sector. This has the
BIMSTEC countries, a market for Indian tea
potential of Operation Flood, as Gulati et al
point out, in improving distributional The huge market in these countries provides scope for FTAs and other promotional activities
efficiencies, but there does not seem to
have been much traction on this score. The How India can achieve the target of 10
Sujit Patra million kg, say, by next 2­3 years?
reasons should be delved into.  (i) Like millet diplomacy, India
Finally, TOP inflation must be seen in
T
he Bay of Bengal Initiative for should initiate Tea diplomacy with
perspective. It is seasonal and accounts for Multi­Sectoral Technical and BIMSTEC countries. The Centre and
little over two per cent of the CPI, even as it Economic Cooperation Tea Board will need to play a key role
(BIMSTEC), comprising seven Nations here.
can at times cast its shadow on headline — Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, (ii) More specifically India needs to
numbers. The present furore reflects an Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand — has negotiate FTA or PTA for tea with
urban bias, with the government prone to been operational for 26 years but its Bangladesh, Myanmar and Thailand in
being anxious in an election year. The actual potential remains unexplored. BIMSTEC countries is around 24/25 tea exports in a calculated way by next line with the special PTA signed in 2005
Reserve Bank of India should pay little heed BIMSTEC has a vast potential for million kg. Indian tea export to these two years to BIMSTEC countries.  with Sri Lanka. If this can be achieved,
development having 1.68 billion people countries is miniscule around 4 million This may be possible if the Centre only Bangladesh can provide big
to these ups and downs, as tomato prices or 22 per cent of the world population kg around 18 per cent. So there is huge could take up with its counterparts for opportunity for Indian tea. Just few
have little to do with the repo rate. for shared economic and social progress scope to double Indian tea exports in the targeted Free Trade Agreement (FTA) years back Bangladesh used to import
and a combined GDP of nearly $3 near future. or Preferential Trade Agreement (FTA) around 10/12 million kg from India,
trillion. With the renewed importance for Indian Tea and execute it through which has now come down to below 1
of BIMSTEC, signing of the Charter in CULTURAL, POLITICAL TIES focused promotion initiatives. million kg.
POCKET RAVIKANTH Colombo has led to BIMSTEC being India has good cultural and political ties Bangladesh, Myanmar and Thailand (iii) Sustained promotion campaign,
recognised as an international with BIMSTEC countries.  are potential markets for Indian tea. exchange of delegations, road shows,
organisation. Large Indian diaspora’s presence and Primary selling points for Indian tea as BSMs, etc.
BIMSTEC offers India an geo­political closeness provide good identified are: So, there are lot of scope and
opportunity to reinforce ties with its opportunity to boost tea exports.  (a) Easy logistics for geo­political opportunities for the Indian tea
Eastern neighbours in conformity with There is good scope for India to closeness, availability and adoption of industry to boost exports. Making the 30
India's key foreign policy priorities — increase its share in the BIMSTEC cross border e­commerce. billion population of BIMSTEC
the Act East Policy and Neighbourhood markets as it makes and exports a (b) Large number of Indian diaspora countries (excluding India) drink one
First Policy. It acts as a bridge between bouquet of teas — Orthodox, CTC, in BIMSTEC countries. more cup of tea will give a big boost to
South and South­East Asia.  Green Tea, White, Oolong, etc and (c) The health benefits of tea can the Indian tea industry. 
BIMSTEC countries are important to speciality to over 100 countries at attract a younger demographic, which
India’s tea industry.  various price points. can increase the demand for tea in the The writer is a Tea Marketing Expert & Former Secretary,
Total import of tea, barring India, to India can easily target 10 million kg of near term. Indian Tea Association

LETTERS TO EDITOR Send your letters by email to bleditor@thehindu.co.in or by post to ‘Letters to the Editor’, The Hindu Business Line, Kasturi Buildings, 859­860, Anna Salai, Chennai 600002.
UCC: Move slowly  Airlines’ woes with a focus on Tier II and Tier III Both real estate and petroleum using fake invoices during the past
This refers to the Editorial “Who’s This refers to the article 'The cities is quite appreciable.  products must be brought under its three years. 
afraid of UCC” (July 3). Introducing economics of aviation' (July 3). The However, air travel in these cities ambit to complete the whole supply Activities of some unscrupulous
the Uniform Civil Code is a author's suggestion of having should not get impacted by chain.  traders came to notice when the
Constitutional need, the government duopolistic structure appears to be inadequate availability of aircraft and The Centre and State governments government kept such offences out
will do well to keep three facts in impressive overall.  other services. The money pumped must sort out their differences over of the increased monetary threshold
mind.  However given the history of in creating new infra for air travel in division of rights amicably, which is in of ₹2 crore in the recent GST Council
No short­cuts should be taken to aviation sector in India, with several various cities should be sustainable the larger interests of the nation.  meeting. 
make up for lost time. Consultation airlines failing in the last two­and­half in the long run. Ultimately States should not be at Fake or non­genuine registrations
with all stake holders and building a decades, the Ministry must take a RV Baskaran the mercy of the Centre as they also are being used to fraudulently pass
broad consensus are required. relook at the existing aviation policy Chennai need to take care of a lot of welfare on input tax credits to unscrupulous
Two, the tendency to equate the and take steps to strengthen the schemes. recipients, causing revenue loss to
prevalent laws applicable to the weak areas to enable the airlines for GST’s progress Bal Govind the government. 
majority of Indians with the operational sustenance and thereby It refers to the article ‘GST @ 6: Well Noida The drive has identified around
minority’s needs should be generate expected revenues in the begun and more to be done’. 60,000 risky entities, with around 25
tempered. Three a well­intended but long run. Monthly GST collections have Tax evasion menace per cent of them turning out to be
unduly hasty decision taken without The recent surge in air fares raises reached a significant level and a good This is with reference to the article, fake. Tax evasion could continue if
consensus will meet many hurdles.  many questions about continued amount of credit must be given to “Fake GST invoices amount to not curbed immediately. 
YG Chouksey patronage for air travel.  GST Council which has shown the ₹63,000 crore in 3 years” (July 3). Tax P Sundara Pandian
Pune  The Centre’s attempts to make the much needed flexibility during the authorities have detected over Virudhunagar
air travel accessible to all citizens last six years.  ₹63,000 crore worth of GST evasion,

Published by N. Ravi at Kasturi Buildings, 859 & 860, Anna Salai, Chennai­600002 and Printed by N. Vaidyanathan at Dangat Media Pvt Ltd, No. 22, Dighe MIDC, Vishnu Nagar, TTC Industrial Area, Dighe, Navi Mumbai­400701 on behalf of THG PUBLISHING PVT LTD., Chennai­600002. Editor: Raghuvir Srinivasan (Editor responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act).   ISSN 0971 ­ 7528

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MUMBAI

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TUESDAY ­ JULY 4 ­ 2023

Cultivate more fodder


Farmers must be trained to use new tech
How good a scheme is PLI?
Bishwa  Bhaskar  Choudhary
AMBIGUITIES. It is biased towards larger firms, and it’s difficult to gauge how much benefit is derived from the incentive
Purushottam  Sharma 
Madan  Sabnavis

C
urrently, India is staring at

T
a fodder crisis with a he Production Linked
daunting challenge of Incentive (PLI) scheme is
producing adequate feed and not easy to assess. Three
fodder for its livestock from an years after its inception,
already shrinking land resource. manufacturing remains
In addition, erratic fodder supply stagnant and the picture that emerges is
during summer/ drought creates a mixed and complex.
gap in the supply chain. The LIFELINE. For livestock Under the PLI scheme, the
recent estimated deficit in green government, with an outlay for ₹2­lakh
fodder is 11.24 per cent, and the crore over a period of five years, gives an
country is facing a 23.4 per cent production. The Department of incentive in the form of a payback to the
shortage in dry fodder and around Animal Husbandry and Dairying extent of 4­6 per cent (modified at
29 per cent in concentrates.  has also initiated the National different points of time). It covers 14
According to some reports, Livestock Mission to foster sectors and includes ones like food
devoting 14­17 per cent of land for entrepreneurship in fodder processing, electronics, specialty steel,
fodder cultivation will be ideal for production and offer incentives pharma, textiles, auto, solar panels,
meeting the current fodder for the same. Currently, there are drones, and so on. There has to be a
shortage. Fodder is being 731 Krishi Vigyan Kendras certain incremental output for the
cultivated on 8.4 million hectares (KVKs) serving as agricultural company to claim the same. If the
(nearly 4 per cent of gross cropped extension centres, transferring average incentive is, say, 5 per cent and
area) in the last few decades. new technologies and research the total subsidy of ₹2­lakh crore is used,
Sparing more area for fodder is outcomes to farmers. Mandating there has to be incremental output of at
challenging given the intense KVKs to to showcase the benefits least ₹40­lakh crore over five years in
competition for additional land of cultivating high­yielding fodder these sectors. 
from commercially important crops can bring desired changes in The thought process behind the PLI
crops. Therefore, there is an farmers’ perceptions on fodder.  has been manifold. First, the idea was to TOUGH TASK. In the present environment of a global slowdown, pushing exports will always be a challenge  ISTOCK
urgent need to have practical and Small farmers can be motivated provide a stimulus to the manufacturing
meaningful strategies for to grow perennial fodder grasses sector. Second, there is a pressing call
enhancing feed and fodder like Bajra­Napier hybrid on bunds for becoming Atmanirbhar in the sense exports, which was impressive at 50 per scheme is talking about. While been included, although there is a sunset
resources for sustaining as well as without impacting their cropped of lowering imports. The old dogma of cent. But is this due to the PLI or is it thresholds have been placed at lower clause. Will this lead to accelerated
transforming the Indian livestock area. For large and medium­sized import substitution has been under the normal course? Imports levels to enable not­so­large companies growth in industry? Incentives can work
sector. landholders, intercropping remodelled through the PLI. This growth was around 4 per cent which is to compete, there is no specific scheme both ways. Beneficiaries can use it to
Various State research grasses with legume fodder can approach is now common in several lower than that in exports. Besides, it for SMEs and hence they would get left improve efficiency or alternatively may
institutions have developed a provide a balanced ration. countries where there is emphasis on has been seen that India is the hub for out. At the broader level, some issues fall back on the same knowing that there
number of fodder crop varieties Farmers should be made aware of development of local industry and a tilt assembling.  remain. First, can such protectionism be is a return coming from the government.
and technologies that can ensure the advantages of high­density towards making economies more Going by IIP data, production of sustained for long given that at some In some sectors the larger companies
year­round availability of quality planting of perennial grasses. self­sufficient — the resurrection of computer, electronics and optical stage countries which support local will be more nimble footed and take
feed/ fodder for increasing animal Adaptive research on fodder protectionism through the back door. products fell by 6.5 per cent last year. So, industry will face retaliatory measures. advantage of the same, which include
productivity. However, their production technology must be Third, the PLI also aims to combine has the sector done well or not? Second, Indian industry will once foreign companies as well, many of
adoption has remained limited. encouraged by providing feedback import substitution with export These are precisely the ambiguities again slip into somnolence and lose out which are anyway planning to shift to
Lack of awareness and knowledge from the farmers’ field. promotion. Hence the sectors chosen that come in when evaluating the on efficiency. It has been seen that once India as part of the China Plus One
is hindering the maintenance of Moreover, imparting satisfy one or more of these three companies or sectors which qualify for subsidies are given and the recipient policy. This will accelerate allocation of
fodder balance in the country. knowledge on alternative land use objectives. PLI. Companies in the normal course gets used to the same, it becomes hard to resources and FDI can improve.
Capacity building of farmers is methods like combining trees A multitude of companies have would be increasing their investment as withdraw the incentive. It can come in Therefore, on the whole, there will be
often overlooked in the rush to with pasture (silvi­pasture) and applied for PLI and received approval. part of the long­term plans and hence it the way of innovation. a mixed effect. It would be useful if the
push the results of research and incorporating horticulture into The incremental investment and output will be hard to distinguish between government provides detailed progress
development products. Most of pasture (horti­pasture) have the have to be with respect to a base year those which have done so on account of DEMAND MATTERS reports on which companies have been
the farmers in India are poor and potential for improving both the which can be FY21 or FY22, depending the PLI.  Third, while giving such incentives is a allotted the benefit and the incremental
face resource constraints. quality of depleted habitats and on when the window was opened. The Further, the scheme may be biased good supply side measure from the point investment and output generated on
Agriculture and allied the production of forages. Woody question is how one measures the same towards larger companies which can put of view of the government, the real this count. 
departments are already perennials, preferably of fodder as there have been targets set for in the level of investment that the problem for India is on the demand side. Often, companies produce a variety of
pressured by their regular value, can be introduced and investment as well as sales. Hence producing more will help products and the balance sheets do not
activities and often fail to focus on managed scientifically.  Electronics has been quoted as being provided there is growing demand, give the details, and hence there have to
strengthening the skills of Under poor soil, water and one of the success stories of late. There The  old  dogma  of which can happen only if income is be separate submissions made to the
farmers. It is well­established in nutrient situations where has been an increase in exports of import  substitution has generated through more job creation. In government. The crux hence is to ensure
recent years that apart from cropping is not possible, such electronics from $15.6 billion in FY22 to the present environment of a global continuous monitoring to ensure
natural resources and physical systems can serve the twin $23.6 billion in FY23. Prima facie this been  remodelled  through slowdown, pushing exports will always targeting of benefits, and evaluating the
capital, human capital is becoming purposes of forage and firewood sounds good. However, imports the  PLI.  This  approach  is be a challenge. impact.
important for agricultural and production and ecosystem increased from $73.7 billion to $77.3 Fourth, sectors left out may find this
rural development. Studies have conservation. Additionally, the billion. How can this be interpreted? now  common  in  several policy discriminatory as presently it is The writer is Chief Economist, Bank of Baroda. 
indicated that the education and concept of horti­pasture, which One way is to look at the growth in countries  only a fixed set of industries that have Views are personal
skills of farmers are significant utilises degraded lands, is gaining
factors in explaining inter­farm popularity among farmers. The
differences in agricultural introduction of these systems
productivity, along with the more would alleviate grazing pressure
conventional factors such as
availability of land and water
resources, inputs, credit, etc. 
and yield important
environmental benefits. Lessons from twin balance sheet syndrome
The Agriculture Skill Council of Choudhary is a scientist, and Sharma is Principal
India has launched programmes Scientist, at ICAR­IGFRI, Jhansi. Views are K  Srinivasa  Rao The RBI having detected divergence incipient sickness in units. The
on animal husbandry and fodder personal in the asset quality data introduced an development of a strong talent pool in
asset quality review (AQR) in managing credit risks should receive

T
he Financial Stability Report September 2015. priority. Credit risk managers have a
(FSR) June 2023 of the Reserve The enactment of the Insolvency critical role as members of the
businessline. Bank of India indicated that the
challenges of ‘twin balance sheet
and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) – 2016 and
the formation of the Insolvency and
committee of creditors to hasten debt
resolution by invoking IBC.
syndrome’ (TBS), known to be a strain Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) Proportionality in lending to the
TWENTY YEARS AGO TODAY. on bank balance sheets due to high helped hasten problem loan resolution. corporate sector must be maintained
non­performing assets (NPAs) and After experiencing the collateral with the right kind of credit
July 4, 2003 highly leveraged corporate balance BORROWING COSTS. Need to fall damage caused by TBS, banks will have assessment. Articulating the right
sheets, is fast receding.  to take a cue and improve credit risk terms of sanction of loans, risk­based
US co offers to buy into Exide  The notable feature is the some of it turned toxic at a later point management systems to avoid its pricing, and repayment schedule
The $3.5 billion Exide Technologies, the US­based battery giant, has offered to improvement in the performance of in time. recurrence. Now that the banks are on should be aligned with the fund flows
buy a strategic minority stake in the Rajan Raheja controlled Indian rival — banks and the corporate sector that a stronger footing, and adequate of the entity. Timely disbursement and
Exide Industries Ltd. This is seen as part of an out­of­court settlement TBS is fast shaping into a ‘twin balance REGULATORY MEASURES regulatory controls are already end­use verification of loans must be
between the American major and the domestic company over the use of the sheet advantage’ (TBA). The lessons Even the corporate sector realised the working, banks will have to focus on ensured. The corporate sector should
Exide brand name in the country.  learned the hard way from the TBS risks of excessive borrowing and is improving the quality of credit adopt responsible borrowing and
experience must be kept in view to deleveraging balance sheets. Among origination, monitoring, and control of ensure timely repayment of loans to
Indian appointed IMF Chief Economist  avoid its pitfalls. key regulatory measures, the RBI credit. maintain good credit ratings to bring
The IMF has appointed Raghuram Rajan, Professor of Global Finance at the The transition from TBS to TBA is a introduced the Central Repository of The weaknesses that led to TBS down the cost of borrowing. They
University of Chicago, as its new Chief Economist. The timing of Rajan’s prolonged struggle for all stakeholders. Information on Large Credits (CRILC) should be identified and addressed should also dissuade invocation of IBC
selection to the high­profile post – technically titled Economic Counsellor and The corporate sector, banks and the to enable banks to share information well. The risk governance and all three to avoid litigations. Thus, it is the
Director of Research Department – is interesting, as it coincides with India only RBI played a critical role in tackling the on large loan accounts of ₹5 core and lines of defence in risk management collective efforts of all stakeholders
recently re­emerging as a creditor to the tune of $291 million to the IMF.  perils of TBS.  above in 2014. In order to detect (SMA­0, SMA­1 and SMA­2) should be that can maintain the twin balance
Banks have significantly improved nascent signs of weaknesses in loan well equipped to ring­fence the banks sheet advantage on a sustainable basis.
France Telecom may disconnect from India  their performance to come out of the accounts, the RBI insisted collection of against credit risk. The internal credit
Close on the heels of Telia Sonera and Vodafone, France Telecom seems to be toxic loan crisis and from the euphoria information on loans overdue up to 90 rating system needs to be more robust The writer is Adjunct Professor, Institute of Insurance
easing its way out of the country. In what could be an indication of its waning of irrational exuberance in lending in days known as special mention and red flags prescribed by the RBI and Risk Management – IIRM, Hyderabad. Views are
interest in the domestic telecom market coupled with its own financial woes, good times, notably during 2006­11, accounts (SMA). should be followed up to detect personal
the global communications major has shut down its India office. 

BL TWO­WAY CROSSWORD 2319
EASY NOT SO EASY
ACROSS DOWN ACROSS DOWN
1. Pertaining to healing (11) 2. Joint between knee and fetlock 1. A curative use for earth (ice put round it) (11) 2. German wine to put into pawn (4)
8. A forebear (8) (4) 8. Store can come from an earlier member of the family (8) 3. Being out of practice makes us try it anew (5)
9. Rapacious bird (4) 3. Corroded (5) 9. A bird that was marked by the BSI (4) 4. Dog shampoo chosen for its contents (5)
10. Legends, untrue stories 4. A 'dog' (5) 10. My shot perhaps lost nothing but the ancient traditional 5. Nominal as the payment is, it is all right in number (5)
(5) 5. Symbol, portent (5) stories (5) 6. Made it easier to face it, and lad it replaced (11)
13. Eft (4) 6. Made easy (11) 13. It's not used, time given to pond creature (4) 7. Ruin is its end ­­ court can arrange that (11)
16. A metal club (4) 7. Ruin, overthrow (11) 16. Something that rusts right inside a particle (4) 11. Ought to be taken tail­first if it's hard to eat (5)
17. German woman, wife (4) 11. Hard to chew (5) 17. It is almost a crime to be a wife in Germany (4) 12. Separate verse form from it (5)
18. Space, piece of ground (4) 12. Separate, cut away (5) 18. The surface extent of the space alongside the basement 14. It is almost too soon to be noble (4)
20. A rapacious woman (5) 14. Lord ranking below viscount (4) (4) 15. A desire for good cape to appear (4)
24. Send, give out (4) 15. A desire for future good (4) 20. The last patriarch to pray about a greedy woman (5) 19. Change one's ego in one's other self (5)
25. Old woodwind instrument 19. To change (5) 24. How to put out the hour it is to be returned (4) 21. In part, it is a mourning for a love affair (5)
(8) 21. Love affair (5) 25. Company had rotten turn­out with this old instrument (8) 22. Wine grape one has to pinch upside­down (5)
26. Making of line of holes in 22. Black or white wine grape (5) 26. The tear­off portion fare can be worked out from (11) 23. Fragrant Bulgarian oil may be taken either way (4)
paper (11) 23. Attar; boy's name (4)

SOLUTION: BL TWO­WAY CROSSWORD 2318
ACROSS 1.  Compress  4.  Heir  8.  Now  9.  Imago  10.  Aim  11.  Perusal  12.  Trick  13.  Intelligent  17.  Pewit  18.  Bloater  20.  Roe  21.  Oasis  22.  Bag  23.  Even  24.  Penitent
DOWN 1.  Canopy  2.  Mower  3.  Stall  5.  Evasion  6.  Remake  7.  Contiguous  9.  Inspection  14.  Nowhere  15.  Sparse  16.  Bright  18.  Baste  19.  Table

CM
YK ... . . . . . . BM­BME
>
OPINION 9
STAY INFORMED THROUGH THE DAY @ WWW.BUSINESS-STANDARD.COM

ILLUSTRATION: BINAY SINHA


VOLUME XXX NUMBER 67
how do we maximise the individual’s ability to con-
NEW DELHI | TUESDAY, 4 JULY 2023 tribute even while taking care of those whose contri-
butions may be less substantial. The end-goal ought

A rising tide to be a balanced, stable, compassionate and caring


society, not the victory or defeat of an ideology. Justice
cannot be equal outcomes for unequals, where every
Govt should revive disinvestment profession or institution must have a proportionate
sprinkling of individuals based on group identities,

T
he stock market indices have hit record highs in the past few days
not individual contributions and competence. That
and it’s been a broad movement. The small-cap and mid-cap indices is the road to mediocrity, not justice.
hit new highs first, and the Sensex and Nifty followed. The Sensex The questions to ask are: Can any society optimise
on Monday closed above 65,000 for the first time. The benchmark its productive capabilities without balancing the twin
Nifty has gained 21.8 per cent in the past 12 months and the mid-caps and goals of inclusion and meritocracy? Did the greatest

From quota madness


small-caps have moved up 34.5 per cent and 30 per cent, respectively. The companies, or organisations, or societies get built by
ignoring merit in the pursuit of inclusion and equity?
surge in the past three months has been largely driven by foreign portfolio
Did our IITs, IIMs, ISRO, HDFC Bank or Infosys
investors (FPIs), who have bought over ~1.14 trillion of equity in 2023-24. But become world-class by ignoring meritocracy?
there has also been strong buying from retail investors, both directly as well We must also ask: What exactly is merit? Does it
as via mutual funds, and domestic institutions have also been net positive.
A glance at sector indices also indicates that the movement has been
broad. Most sectors have seen double-digit returns in the past one year with
even underperformers like the Nifty IT index and oil & gas up by 5.3 per cent
to meritocracy mean the ability to use your best talent, or the ability
to cross an artificial bar set by a difficult examina-
tion? If we, for example, equate merit with those
who crack IIT-JEE, NEET or CAT, we are reducing
and 3.5 per cent, respectively. Sectors like fast-moving consumer goods Quotas cannot be abolished without better alternatives, but merit to a specific set of attributes. But many IIT
engineers end up doing software jobs and not high-
(FMCG), banks, realty, and metals have all returned over 30 per cent and the where is the conversation about the latter? quality engineering work. In short, we are not really
automobile index 29 per cent. But the biggest winner is the public sector selecting for merit and engineering talent, but equat-

W
bank index, which is up 67.9 per cent. The markets have been buoyed by e are having the wrong kind of conversa- nation against the previously privileged. We have ing eligibility for a high-paying job with merit.
apparent optimism about a growth revival — although profit growth has tions on inclusion and inequity, both in now permanently embedded caste into every aspect In a 1999 book, First, Break All The Rules, authors
India and abroad. In the US, the Supreme of public life. How is this progress? Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman suggest that
slowed from the extraordinary levels of the past two years, revenue growth
Court just handed down a 6-3 verdict outlawing Nobody should question the need for inclusion the world’s greatest managers find their best performers
has jumped. Credit growth indicates that businesses and consumers are bor- race-based affirmative action programmes in two or greater equity, but why is it that even centuries not through such neutral examination systems, but by
rowing again. This is reinforced by the fact that FMCG revenues have grown educational institutions, Harvard and the University after the European enlightenment, the American Civil noting how individuals are best able to use their innate
in Q4 FY23, and so have two-wheeler sales. The management guidance from of North Carolina. But even as the courts are revers- War, our own endless war on “casteism”, and the ever- talents for the specific jobs that need such talent. In
most major corporations is also optimistic. ing decades of “progressive law-making”, politicians present Marxist critique of inequality, we don’t have this ideal system, a talented individual, say, a good
Further, after a series of policy rate hikes starting May 2022, the Reserve are trying to include caste as one more kind of dis- better alternatives to quotas and affirmative action? salesman, is not rewarded by being promoted to vice-
crimination. They are thus importing an Indian Let us start with a phrase Marx popularised in a president (sales) or even CEO, but rewarded better for
Bank of India (RBI) has hit pause. The inflation trend has eased with the consumer
problem into the US, even as their judiciary is saying 1875 letter to the Social Democratic Workers’ Party continuing the thing he does best. This is what comes
price index-based inflation print reading 4.25 per cent in May 2023, which is race cannot be the entire basis for of Germany, with which he was asso- close to the Marxist ideal of getting the best from every
closer to the RBI’s target of 4 per cent. A key contributor to falling inflation is the affirmative action. ciated. He summarised the ultimate individual. True meritocracies tend to create hierarchies
stabilisation of crude oil, natural gas, and coal, which eases pressure on the ener- In India, we are going in the oppo- goal of communism in one line: of talent and productivity, not hierarchies of power.
gy-hungry and energy-deficient Indian economy. Although the indices are at site direction, with quotas now offi- From each according to his ability, to Inclusion and equity are best achieved not by
record highs, valuations are still moderate. The Nifty is trading at a price-to- cially breaching the 49 per cent limit each according to his needs! focusing on quotas and non-performance metrics,
set by the Supreme Court in the Indra This is a remarkable line, not only but by identifying which talent is best suited to
earnings (PE) ratio of 22.4. It was trading above the PE of 40 in early 2021 and the Sawhney case. The limit was side- because it seems to say something achieve the best outcome for each individual and
five-year average valuations are around PE 26.5, which is substantially higher stepped recently by another Bench profound, but because in practice the job at hand. It is not about artificially inserting
than the current valuations. Similarly, the mid-caps and small-caps are also that validated the additional 10 per Marxism has focused more on the a student with weaker math skills in engineering,
trading at lower valuations than they had hit earlier. The implication is that the cent quota for economically weaker second half of the maxim, the redis- or asking someone with poor language skills to teach
markets could sustain higher prices and valuations. sections. There is now talk of doing a tributive aspect. Marx believed that English because there are not enough members from
census on “other backward classes his ideal state of a non-exploitative some community in the English department.
As the old saying in the markets goes, a rising tide floats all boats and
(OBCs)”, which will inevitably lead to BEYOND IDEOLOGY society will be achieved only after the The truly talented among the underprivileged
under the circumstances, a revival in activity across the primary markets is another expansion of the quota limit. R JAGANNATHAN proletariat takes control, but we know need mentoring, financial support and supportive
very likely, given the bullishness across secondary markets. This could be an This is not about whether the US that “dictatorship of the proletariat” networks to compete with the best, not endless quotas
opportune moment for the government to consider reviving disinvestment is right or India is wrong. In our blind does not achieve either of both ends and reservations. They need to be encouraged to
plans, which have apparently been on the back burner for a while. If investors effort to ensure some kind of “cosmic justice” — a — maximising individual abilities while meeting become entrepreneurs, not depend endlessly on dead-
are willing to buy Indian stocks, the government should take advantage of phrase used by Thomas Sowell, an American everybody’s needs. Ultimately, it only ensured the beat government jobs. For seven decades now, we
economist and public intellectual — to those we con- creation of a new exploitative elite, not an egalitarian have constantly sent the message that group identity
the market conditions and push disinvestment. Although the government is
sider underprivileged, we are refusing to confront society. Marx also failed to ask a more basic question: matters for jobs. What, then, is the subliminal message
in a comfortable fiscal position, additional revenue can be used to push the real challenges of countering social and economic Can an individual optimise his abilities in a dictator- we are sending on the importance of individual effort
capital expenditure. backwardness. By mollycoddling some groups with ship, where the focus is on the collective and not the and upskilling? Can we replace discrimination with
ill-thought-out quotas that have no terminal date, individual? This is a question that all social justice elite condescension and call this “progress?”
we may actually be dehumanising them by incul- warriors must ask themselves today. One cannot quote a better example than

Repayment stress cating a permanent sense of victimhood, doing long-


term damage to their individual sense of self-worth.
Woke liberals abroad, most of them whites, would
The problem with woke liberalism, which is really
a mutated and mutilated version of the Marxist ideal,
is that it buys into the oppressor-victim logic of
Babasaheb Ambedkar, whose tremendous social and
intellectual contributions were the result of his own
efforts, with marginal support from well-wishers.
Early warning signs from retail loans like to believe that racism and exploitation are struc- Marxism. While it may not recommend dictatorship, Quotas may be inevitable for some time, but ulti-
tural in nature, and can be remedied only by revers- it comes close by seeking to cancel those it disagrees mately quotas kill talent and true meritocracy. We

T
he Financial Stability Report (FSR), released by the Reserve Bank
ing the discrimination in favour of non-whites. In with. The US and Indian liberal establishments are must start pilot projects and experiments to create
of India (RBI) last week, made it clear that the financial system was India, we believe the same. We want caste-based essentially seeking a dictatorship of ideas to push better alternatives for a post-quota future. Quotas
broadly resilient, and scheduled commercial banks in particular inequities to end, but have concluded, without any their own agendas forward. They are shrinking diver- will not create the next Ambedkar.
had emerged from the stresses of the pandemic reasonably well concrete evidence, that the only way to do so is sity, not expanding it.
and were capable of performing their functions. The period of the pandemic through quotas, reservations and active discrimi- Let’s go back to the Marxist ideal. The question is The writer is editorial director, Swarajya magazine
featured several emergency measures that supported the purchasing power
of the population and the lending ability of banks. These measures have now

Generative AI and data privacy


largely been withdrawn. They could have, as they were withdrawn, left the
banks with a large proportion of bad debts. However, this does not seem to
have been the case. In March 2023, the ratio of gross non-performing assets
(NPAs) was at a decade’s low of 3.9 per cent, and the FSR indicated the central

F
bank expected this ratio to fall further to 3.6 per cent over the course of the or the past half-decade, tremendous progress revise, the better they get. The AI algorithm learns issues. Following the recent progress on the
has been made in the field of artificial intelli- exactly like that. And that is why the data or content Generative AI front, the issue has become even more
current financial year under the baseline scenario. gence, or AI, especially as deep learning and it can learn from becomes absolutely necessary for critical. And that is why countries ranging from
There are specific areas, however, where some early warning signals might machine learning algorithms have become more its success or failure. (There are other types of AI China to the EU are now talking of regulating AI —
be detected. One of these is in the area of retail loans. The broad trend over the sophisticated, and more computing power and data too but deep learning/machine learning and LLMs and a big part of that regulation includes ensuring
past decade has been for both an increased supply and increased demand for have become available. However, this progress was are the ones that are generating buzz currently.) safety and proper precautions in handling data of
such loans. Consumer demand for unsecured loans from scheduled commercial largely tracked only by those genuinely interested Generative AI programmes such as OpenAI’s its citizens. The EU Data Law, for instance, is one of
in AI or digital technology in general. ChatGPT and DALL-E or Google’s Bard need humon- the most comprehensive data regulations that puts
banks has only increased with the collapse of the non-banking financial sector
Then, in November last year, OpenAI released gous quantities of data before they can do tricks they the citizen’s privacy and protection at its heart. It
in the years immediately preceding the pandemic. Many banks have also ChatGPT and DALL-E and showed people what do to impress you. These LLMs are pre-trained on will also be supplemented with a detailed AI regu-
decided to make retail lending a larger proportion of their loan book, and this these could do with simple com- vast quantities of textual (or some- lation, which is close to being finalised.
switch was enabled by supportive regulatory policy, which modified the risk mands in natural language. times image) data to be able to gen- India is probably the second biggest generator of
weightings of unsecured retail loans. Overall these loans have not begun to Overnight, ChatGPT and AI became erate text and images in a human- digital data currently — after China. Our population
turn bad. The gross NPA ratio for retail loans was only 1.4 per cent in March conversation starters in drawing like fashion. The better and larger along with the government’s thrust on broadband
rooms and corner offices. People the data, the better the program will access and digital services have made that possible.
2023. But the FSR has pointed out that other, more sensitive categories — such
rushed to try out ChatGPT and learn, assuming the researchers have Equally, we have been one of the laggards in setting
as the proportion of retail loans delinquent with their payments for more than many were struck by its wondrous got their algorithm right. That is why rules that can protect data privacy. Multiple drafts
30 days but less than 60, or more than 60 days but less than 90 — have increased. abilities. Many who had only a vague good, high quality data is critical for of a data protection and privacy law have suffered
Should this be considered an early warning of some stress in this sector? idea of AI until recently suddenly the success of the large language from poor drafting. One more draft is ready now and
The FSR points out that increases in inflation would cut into real income; and started discussing jargon such as gen- models and Generative AI programs is scheduled to be tabled in Parliament soon.
if that is accompanied by increases in interest rates, then the ability to repay erative AI, large language models that are making so much news every In terms of regulating AI, the policymakers in
for many retail borrowers would be reduced. It is possible therefore that the
(LLMs), generative adversarial net-
works (GANs) and heuristics.
PROSAIC VIEW single day.
Even before OpenAI and
the country seem to be following a “wait and watch”
approach unlike many other countries that have
proportion of retail NPAs would increase in a higher-inflation, higher-rate envi- The debate on AI’s abilities and PROSENJIT DATTA ChatGPT became household words, been proactive. Indian policymakers do not seem
ronment. Given the growth of the unsecured retail loan books within the banking dangers also gathered steam. One and before LLMs and Generative AI unduly worried about the dangers posed to Indian
sector, this might pose an overall problem. However, the FSR is very clear that camp insisted that AI would only help achieve great came to public consciousness, policymakers world- citizens because their data is largely unprotected.
the central bank does not yet see this as a threat to financial stability. Observers things and solve many of mankind’s hitherto wide had started worrying about data privacy issues The fact that India needs to formulate and pass
will also note that there is much more data available to judge the creditwor- unsolved problems. The other camp painted dooms- of citizens, given how Big Tech was vacuuming up its data law as soon as possible is not even a debate.
day scenarios — talking about how AI could be a big- data by giving away services for free, or at a throw- But passing the law is only the first step. Unlike
thiness of borrowers today than there was a decade or so ago, and thus banks
ger danger to humanity than even climate change. away price. For example, Google’s search remains Western countries, India’s institutional capacity
might be doing a better job of identifying safer unsecured loans than earlier. Many of the AI debates in India, however, are free because it is making more than enough money to enforce laws has been low. In the digital arena,
Certainly, the stock of such loans has not exploded, as it would have if banks not focusing on the most critical issue — the ques- from advertising that is sold based on data it is col- too, ensuring that a law is passed will not help if
were being obviously irresponsible. Thus, the banking regulator and banks tion of data, its veracity, the intellectual property lecting from users. Ditto for Facebook, Instagram, the capacity to enforce it properly is not built along-
themselves will have to stay watchful but need not be concerned just yet. concerns, and above all, data privacy. Twitter, and the other social media platforms. Even side. Both have become priorities that cannot be
Broader observers of the Indian economy, however, should indeed be a little Shorn of all technical jargon, most of today’s AI those who do not give services free — Amazon or delayed any more.
programs and algorithms that are making waves Apple, for instance — collect every kind of data every
more concerned about the repayment delays, and what they may indicate
typically learn by crunching very large data sets. time you are using them. The writer is former editor of Business Today and
about the stresses that retail borrowers are facing. Think of any person trying to learn a subject. The This was why in many countries, data privacy Businessworld, and founder of Prosaic View,
more content they consume on the subject and laws were enacted and refined to deal with data an editorial consultancy

Enigmas of independence the 1972 celebrations was the unveiling of


the portrait of B R Ambedkar in the
Central Hall, ending allegations that the
contributions to the freedom movement
of Independence (azadi).”
The authors detail how three specific
groups did not look at August 15 as a day to
be flagged as a day for celebration. These
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
announced that August 14 would
henceforth be celebrated as “Partition
Horrors Remembrance Day”. The
than 300-page book was devoted to the book provides fresh insight into the of those other than iconic Congress were the “Nationalist Muslims”, who decision to observe Pakistan’s
making of boundary lines on the territory process of freedom and partition, now a leaders had been neglected. Importantly, chose to stay for being “wedded to the Independence Day as one of immense
of British India and princely states and on political minefield in India. Indira Gandhi in her speech conjoined ‘secular’ ideals of the Congress”. The sadness was expectedly criticised by
the psyche of the people, Sikhs and other The book opens by juxtaposing the the present and past. Referring to the 1971 second lot were “extreme Hindu Islamabad and public opinion on both
Punjabis and the Bengalis. characteristics of celebrations in India military victory, she did not claim it as nationalists” for whom the event sides of India’s western border — a
Freedom and Partition is a shorter and Pakistan of major independence hers, instead wording it as a military amounted to the “vivisection of ‘Mother reaction perhaps elicited. In the era of
BOOK REVIEW book, but still manages to be a anniversaries — the tenth in 1957, 25th in victory of “noble ideas that India’.” And last, but possibly the most mass replication of “the leader’s” call, this
meticulous elaboration of that first 1972, 50th in 1997 and 75th in 2022. There India cherished all affected, people in commemoration has been shaped as an
NILANJAN MUKHOPADHYAY chapter. The principal and single chapter are insightful nuggets of information; these years.” Freedom and Partition: Punjab and Bengal instrument of the ruling
is positioned between an introduction for instance, reference to an editorial in The book forces Momentous Events of who were regime’s ideology.

T
here is a “prologue” to this review, and an epilogue, which briefly informs the Pakistani paper Dawn, which us to think about the 14-17 August 1947 in “extremely The authors are unequivocally of the
so to speak. In 2000, the two the reader about the contours of the bemoaned in 1957, that ten years after history of those four India and Pakistan concerned about view that this form of observation makes
authors, historians based in actual line drawing over land by the becoming a free state the country was days of celebration, Authors: Tan Tai Yong what their place it “unidimensional”. Instead of August 14,
Singapore, published their deeply Radcliffe Boundary Commission. “still incomplete.” not just as jubilation, & Gyanesh Kudaisya would be as it would have been more apt for the
researched, sensitively written, The authors trace how the boundary There are several facets of Indian which, though Publisher: Primus “minorities” in the tragedy of Partition to be marked on
exhaustive and still relevant book, The Award was deliberately delayed by Lord history that are forgotten, and essential, did not Books new nation-states.” August 17, the day the Boundary
Aftermath of Partition in South Asia, a Mountbatten despite being ready prior celebrations in 2021-22 sometimes made provide the Price: ~1,095 The book provides Commission Award was announced. It
subject not examined till then with to the two D-Days of August 14-15, it appear as though the occasion had complete story. information and would also have been more statesman-
the rigour of academics and lucidity causing unprecedented violence in the never been commemorated and Consequent to this approach, the perspective on how like to celebrate it as “South Asian
of writing. days preceding them. celebrated previously. Readers may have book points to several unsettling facets of these three distinct groups looked at the Reconciliation Day”. But is reconciliation
That book began with the place of In this latest book, the authors look at a appreciated more detail of celebrations in the four chosen days. Most significantly, celebratory plans. on the search list?
Partition in South Asian histories and more focused slice of the subcontinent’s 1972. These celebrations were marked by for an “overwhelming number of In today’s India, it is particularly
moved, in the first chapter, to recounting history at a time when India is navigating a special midnight session of Parliament, people” across northern and eastern important to recall the opinion of V D The reviewer is an NCR-based author and
the arrival of freedom from colonial rule a crucial period in its history (as are with 27 surviving members of the India (which was “divided”), the “event Savarkar, ideologue of much targeted journalist. His latest book is The Demolition
over two days in the subcontinent, August Pakistan and Bangladesh) and recently Constituent Assembly present in the signified Partition (vibhajan or violence that followed. A day before and the Verdict: Ayodhya and the Project to
14-15, 1947. The major portion of the more celebrated 75 years of independence. The Visitors’ Gallery. One of the high points of batwara) rather than the coming Independence Day celebrations in 2021, Reconfigure India. @NilanjanUdwin
16 NEW DELHI
TUESDAY
JULY 04, 2023

Opinion

{ OUR TAKE }
E STA B L I S H E D I N 1 9 24
The steel frame needs
Maha churn some training reform
holds a larger The English-speaking,
engineering graduate is
Last month, this newspaper pub- “meritorious” students. Over the dec-
lished some fascinating data that ades, the social base of successful
reflects this changing profile. Three recruits has become more representa-
aspects stood out. First, the rising tive and reflective of Indian realities.
the face of the IAS today.
2024 message This calls for training to
focus on social norms,
number of successful candidates with A survey conducted by scholar Anir-
a bachelor’s degree and the corre- udh Krishna on the 2009 cohort of the
sponding decline in candidates with Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
postgraduate or higher revealed that 85% hailed
Who gets recruited is unlikely to change, and, in fact, the share of
engineering graduates is only going to rise, given existing trends. HT PHOTO

Ajit Pawar’s alignment with the BJP underlines


public purpose and degrees — a sign of how from small towns and villa- nology, apps and algorithms over to become more flexible so that
how the ruling party is reaching out to allies to many Indians drop out of ges. A total of 24% were edu- deliberation in India’s administration employees are able to chart out their
structural inequalities the education or skilling lad- cated in government schools is an illustration of this. Here is the careers in line with their realised skill-
rebuild the NDA and better its 2019 showing der in this elusive quest for a and 23% completed their reality. Who gets recruited is unlikely sets, domain knowledge gained on the

I
n 2022, 1.1 million young Indians government job. Second, the education in rural settings. to change, and, in fact, the share of job, and the self-development path-

L’
Affaire NCP shows yet again that politics in applied for the civil services phenomenal rise of candi- But a high stakes entrance engineering graduates is only going to ways they have invested in for them-
India is rapidly degenerating into a purely examination; 573,735 aspirants dates taking the examina- Yamini exam, built on the founda- rise, given existing trends. Moving selves. The current system of mainly
mathematical exercise. It also demonstrates appeared for it; and a mere 933 tion in English medium and Aiyar tions of a skewed education forward, the approach to civil service seniority-based promotion within
candidates made it through. third, the increasing num- system, has arguably created training and internal human resource strictly defined services and rules
the cynical use of enforcement agencies to This frenetic quest for perma- ber of engineers making it to a new elite within this broad- management will need to change in does not adequately incentivise
achieve political ends — for nothing else can nent government jobs is today the pri- the merit list, coupled with ened social base — the ways that allow the services to lever- employees for self-development. The
explain why charges are (as they have been in the mary occupation for millions of the declining success rate of English speaking engineer, age these changes to India’s advan- limited scope for job rotation and the
India’s educated young. According to humanities candidates. This who is the new IAS. tage. siloed nature of government work
past) dropped against politicians joining the the department of personnel and third trend is a nearly two- Why does this matter in First, the in-service training system means that government employees
national political hegemon. It is worth repeating training, 220 million hopeful candi- decade long phenomenon. how the country is adminis- must now do what our examination rarely get to learn from each other.
both, because these often tend to get lost in the dates applied for central government Data on IAS profiles from tered? The diversity of the and education system failed to. Rather Therefore, they inevitably base their
jobs between 2014 and 2021. Of these the Trivedi Centre for Politi- social base of the IAS is effec- than being about administrative com- administrative approach on what they
narrative — and both lie at the core of democracy around 720,000 qualified. The tyr- cal Data highlights the num- Rahul K tively undercut by a homoge- petency and skilling, it must also shift know, rather than what is necessary
and the democratic process. anny of coaching centres that now ber of recruits from STEM Sharma neity in academic orienta- its pedagogy to focus on core aspects for achieving the desired outcome.
Ajit Pawar’s alignment with the Bharatiya Janata fuel the economies of several Indian (science, technology, engi- tion. All disciplines come of social norms, public purpose and The shifting profile of the IAS
cities, from Kota to Patna; the emo- neering and maths) rose with their own particular structural inequalities. In our experi- underscores the urgent need to
Party (BJP) — along with many senior Nationalist tional and psychological costs of des- from 18% in the 1980s to norms and approaches on ence at the Centre for Policy Research reform civil service training and
Congress Party (NCP) leaders — was always perately seeking a job with a stagger- nearly 80% by 2022. how complex problems should be (CPR) with teaching in administrative human resource management, away
considered a matter of “when”, not “if”, and while it ingly low chance of success; and the This visible presence of English solved. Some focus on the plumbing training institutes at the state-cadre from its current hierarchical empha-
loss to national productivity, when language and STEM graduates are, in (nuts and bolts) and others on the level, we have observed fundamental sis on systems to one that focuses on
still took everyone by surprise when it happened on the bulk of the country’s educated part, an artefact of the design of the structures (social behaviours and con- shifts in how civil servants perceive placing the right people in the right
Sunday, there is a larger message in it that has been young spend up to 10 years of their examination itself. But they are also tracts) that underlie inequality. The poverty, the norms of hierarchy and jobs, while also making space for
drowned out over the past few months — perhaps lives preparing for an examination, an inevitable selection effect of a prevalence of any one set of norms teamwork, and an appreciation for cross-sectoral learning so that no sin-
are a deep malaise. But this social skewed education system that sorts thus limits understanding and time-consuming processes of deliber- gle set of professional norms domi-
by the drumbeat surrounding the work-in-progress churn is also seeding shifts in the pro- the best students. Proficiency in approaches to complex social, struc- ation and consultation with citizens nates our approach to development.
united Opposition. On June 10, this newspaper files of successful candidates over the English, and engineering as the logi- tural problems, while also risking the through such exposure, regardless of
reported that the BJP, with an eye on the 2024 decades, a reality that has serious cal next step, are the markers of what privileging of solutions that the domi- their educational background. Yamini Aiyar is president, CPR. Rahul K
implications for the civil services and succeeds in the Indian education sys- nant professional group is most com- Second, career progression. Career Sharma is fellow, CPR.
national election, was reaching out to past allies its everyday function. tem and, therefore, attracts the most fortable with. The preference of tech- progression within government needs The views expressed are personal
and potential ones, seeking to rebuild the National
Democratic Alliance (NDA). This should be easy for
a party that has considerable resources at its
disposal, and also a fine understanding of
incentives and penalties. Indeed, with a cabinet France needs to look { S SOMANATH } ISRO CHAIRMAN

reshuffle (largely necessitated by an organisational P


one that is imperative ahead of this year’s state
elections and next year’s national election)
inward to quell violence We will be able to do a soft
imminent, it can offer those who sign on, instant arianne, the most potent and evoc- resulting from lack of gainful employment; landing (of the Chandrayaan
gratification.
There’s already talk of the Telugu Desam Party
and the Shiromani Akali Dal, both previously part
of the NDA, returning to the fold. And there is buzz
M ative symbol of the French Repub- this is forcing a generation to rely heavily on
lic, must be in tears. For the last the generous social welfare the French State
five days, violent protests followed provides. This does two things: It leads to an
by indiscriminate rioting have lashed major invalidation of one’s own self-worth for these
3) on the moon. The launch
day is July 13, it can go up to
French cities, aimed primarily at law-enforce- young men and women, many of them of
19th.

A
that a few other regional parties may well choose to ment authorities, resulting in widespread North African descent; and, it causes the rest
destruction of public property. The immedi- of the society to view this segment of the pop-
ally with the BJP. ate provocation was the killing of a 17-year-old ulation as parasites living off the State. These
Allies will be important to the BJP in 2024. It will boy of North African descent by a French perceptions may be wrong but they get inter-
be difficult even for the party, with its efficient and policeman on July 27. French President nalised, cemented and, over time, become a
Emmanuel Macron is arguably facing his self-fulfilling prophecy. This may well explain
powerful election machinery, and also the biggest toughest political challenge. the extent of anger and resentment felt by the

HC judgment affirms the


political brand in the country, Narendra Modi, to The events of the last few days — large young towards the authorities; it also
better its 2019 performance. Sunday’s events scale rioting, destruction of public property explains, at least in part, the resultant police
and anger towards law enforcement — bring brutality. A vicious cycle is thus set in motion:
indicate that the party is keenly aware of this. back painful memories of 2005. Back then, The young have no stake in the system, and
after the death of two teenagers, three weeks the police, who feel demoralised, respond in
of rioting followed. A state of emergency was the only way they know — with brute force.
declared and it took the government 10 long This vicious cycle needs to be broken. It is
need for balance while
Riots frame France’s days to bring the situation under
control. At least 10,000 vehicles were
burnt, and 233 public buildings and
hard to speculate, but current events
may well prove to be the tipping
point. Already, comparisons are regulating online speech
moment of reckoning 74 private ones were damaged in
300 different districts. Over 4,000
people were arrested. The toll this
being made to the police in, say, Ger-
many and the United Kingdom, and
questions are being asked as to why ife is nothing like what it was even a sequences is also spotlighted with the court

T
he killing of a 17-year-old French boy of Algerian
and Moroccan descent by a policeman at a traffic
stop in a Paris suburb has lit a fire that has singed
time promises to be heavy as well.
The use of social media has also
exacerbated matters. Already, 1,000
people have been arrested and an
estimated 45,000 police personnel
Mohan
Kumar
their reputation seems vastly better
than the one in France. More damag-
ingly, the office of the UN high com-
missioner for human rights in
Geneva has just called on France to
L couple of decades ago. From airing imposing a heavy fine on Twitter.
views among our peers and eagerly But that is not all. The court also indicated
waiting for a newspaper to respond to that it is for the users to stand up for their fun-
a letter, the focus of public discourse has damental rights, and emphasised the need for
shifted to social media and microblogging reasoned orders and proportionality, in line
the country, leaving in its wake troubling questions deployed with armoured vehicles. It seriously address the deep issues of sites, catering to a global audience. These with the Shreya Singhal verdict. The purpos-
about biases and racism, and the French model of is worth remembering that this is also the racism and discrimination in law enforce- platforms have given wings to our fundamen- ive interpretation principle applied to decide
high tourist season, so the economy is likely ment. A spokesperson of the office also tal right to free speech and expression. Natu- on blocking not just messages but entire
assimilation that has left behind a deep sense of to take a hit, in addition to the riots tarnishing emphasised the importance of peaceful rally, we also expect this freedom to be unfet- accounts may become the focus of an appeal,
disenchantment among sections of its non-White France’s global image. assembly and called on the French authorities tered and protest any restraints thereto. It is, but as it stands under this judgment, the
population. From Paris to Marseille and Lille to Lyon, The killing of Nahel Merzouk — the 17-year- to ensure that the use of force by police to therefore, no surprise that the Karnataka high extent of powers under extant laws is
old boy of Maghrebi Algerian descent who address violent elements in demonstrations court’s recent judgment in X Corp vs Union of strengthened.
thousands of rampaging protesters have ransacked was shot dead by a police officer during a traf- respects the principles of legality, necessity, India generated substantial public interest. For users, the learnings are several. While
police stations, looted buildings and commercial fic stop on June 27 — for what essentially was proportionality, non-discrimination, precau- Ruling on a petition by Twitter the right to free speech is sacrosanct,
establishments, vandalised public property and hurled a petty offence is both shocking and condem- tion, and accountability. While it may be against government orders to block it is subject to reasonable restric-
nable. But the reasons for the sweeping anger unfair for the UN body to remind Paris about some users, the court agreed with tions — and if this is true in the real-
explosives at authorities. The anger is especially high and resentment run much deeper. France has the importance of peaceful assembly, it is government authorities and world, there’s no reason it shouldn’t
in the multicultural, multiracial enclaves or banlieues, always struggled to reconcile its two funda- probably right to ask the French authorities to clamped a fine of ₹50 lakhs on the be so in the virtual one. The mere
where complaints of police brutality and State high- mental objectives: The overarching need to address racism and discrimination in law American company. access to free online resources does
ensure liberty and equality to all its citizens enforcement. The relevant issues here are mul- NS not entitle users to misuse or abuse
handedness are common and old. It represents the and the imperative need to ensure order in More than ever before, France must reckon tiple and complex. Global solutions the same. The discussion on tracking
toughest challenge to the authority of President the Republic. The first objective of liberty and with the troubling legacy of its banlieue — of to combat the viral spread of fake Nappinai or tracing originators, and platforms
Emmanuel Macron whose conciliatory noises have equality stands compromised because of rampant social disenfranchisement and large, news, misinformation and other encouraging verified accounts, is
accusations of systemic racism against people troubled non-White populations that don’t see kinds of misuse and abuse of social likely to be reignited. Expect more
received a feeble response and whose government has of North African descent, by not just law themselves being treated on an equal footing media platforms assume more importance by debate on the rights of users to be heard
struggled to tamp down on mounting tensions. enforcement but also more broadly, French by the authorities. Banlieue — which roughly the day. against blocking orders, clarity on the proce-
The violence is condemnable, but it has brought society. translates to suburb — is more than a govern- Hence, regulatory mechanisms, and inter- dures to contest, doctrine of proportionality,
The second objective of maintaining public ance problem. The most notorious example of net and platform accountability, are some and the extent to which users’ free speech
French society to the precipice of a reckoning that goes order is becoming more and more difficult the banlieue in Paris is something known by potential solutions that several countries, rights can be curtailed.
to the heart of the Republic, and its founding values because of restlessness among young people its pincode, 93, which houses mainly people of including India, are experimenting with. For the government, which is contemplat-
that sit uneasily with the everyday reality of many of its North African descent and is characterised by Monitoring and blocking of online content ing a Digital India Act to replace the existing
high unemployment, widespread disconnect are the most powerful tools currently in the IT Act, this decision is timely. It helps in
citizens. The death of Nahel Merzouk, and the with the society and government, and lawless- hands of enforcement agencies. reviewing existing provisions and rules, and
cellphone footage that recorded the last moments of ness; it is considered a no-go zone even for the India lacked sufficient criminal provisions correcting course where needed, incorporat-
the 17-year-old’s life, has brought home the ugly truth police. The difference between living in pin- to combat cybercrimes under the Information ing clarity, particularly to protect user rights,
code 7 as opposed to pincode 93 in Paris is like Technology (IT) Act, 2000 but gained some and removing ambiguity if any, in proce-
that citizenship often translates to unequal rights on living on two different planets that bear no teeth through amendments in December dures.
the ground even though the State may claim to confer resemblance to one another. 2008 that included Sections 69A and 69B; in Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one
equal citizenship to all. That the death acted as a This can and must be tackled. More impor- 2015, when the Supreme Court struck down family) has often been invoked in different
tantly, gainful employment opportunities Section 66A of the IT Act in Shreya Singhal vs contexts in recent years, and this judgment
catalyst for long-simmering anger cannot be need to be created urgently through massive Union of India, it simultaneously upheld Sec- uses it to spotlight the borderless nature of
dismissed as the mere act of hooligans or vandals investment in education for the disenchanted tion 69A, which is applied for blocking online the internet. With forthcoming global initia-
rejoicing at unleashing anarchy. Democracies across young. This must be done on a war footing. content. The court’s decision was based on tives, particularly that of the United Nations
France will bounce back. It always does. the checks and balances incorporated in the to provide the world with soft laws for cyber-
the world are grappling with the problems of police But it is in the abiding interest of France to rules framed under the section. The Twitter crimes by 2024, India now has the opportu-
and State brutality, and ensuring justice for all its look at the structural reasons for recent case, therefore, not only questioned the pro- nity to offer precedents for global adaptation
citizens, but this requires a serious and honest events and take remedial measures without priety of the blocking but also the procedures through formulation of laws that balance free
delay. for issuing such directions. speech with much needed action against fake
conversation about implicit biases in the functioning The high court didn’t agree. It emphasised news and hate speech.
of the government. Because the deeper question that Mohan Kumar is former Indian ambassador to that foreign entities have to comply with
the protesters are asking of the State is simply this — France and dean/professor at Indian laws and that a party cannot unilater- NS Nappinai is an advocate in the Supreme Court
Large-scale rioting in France brings back OP Jindal Global University. ally decide whether it will obey a government and founder, Cyber Saathi.
What does it mean to be French? painful memories of 2005 REUTERS The views expressed are personal. order; that such action will have punitive con- The views expressed are personal

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EDITOR: KUNAL PRADHAN


12 TuesDay, 4 July 2023
New Delhi VIEWS LIVEMINT.COM

OUR VIEW GUEST VIEW


ISTOCKPHOTO

Right-based healthcare will not


work without the infrastructure
A focus on actual public health provisions will achieve more than an assurance that cannot be met

for allopathic doctors, against the WHO importantly, implementing the Right to
norm of 1:1,000. Further, the nurse-to- Health would increase the financial
population ratio is dire at 1:670 against obligation of an already financially
the norm of 1:300. Even the National stressed state. It does not provide for
Family Health Survey-5 (2019-21) how the demands or complaints of citi-
reveals that 49% of Indian households zens shall be addressed in such cases.
do not use government facilities due to Odisha’s approach has been to ramp
long waiting times. Lastly, out-of- up its health infrastructure over the
pocket expenditure as a proportion of years by transforming primary health
AMAR PATNAIK total health expenditure is still very centres, introducing a ‘Mo Hospital’
is a member of the Rajya Sabha from high at 48.2% (Economic Survey 2022). programme and opening new medical
Odisha; a former CAG bureaucrat and an This shows that the real issue is a colleges to increase the capacity of
advocate. demand-supply mismatch. One of the healthcare staff. The state’s Biju Swas-
main reasons why healthcare has always thya Kalyan Yojana is a prime example;

Explore every possible


been a longstanding issue is India’s lack it aims to ensure universal healthcare. It
of infrastructure capacity, both at the is designed to provide universal health-

W
ith covid having exposed physical and human resource levels. So, care to every family, whether above or
India’s public health system, even if a Right to Health provision is below the poverty line, including
particularly at the primary introduced, it will create demand that indoor and ‘out’-patients (missing

solar shield we can use healthcare level, there is unanimity that


the country’s health sector needs exten-
sive infrastructure support. At the same
time, legislative bodies across India
cannot be met with a meagre supply of
health services. This would render the
right unenforceable and undeliverable.
It is concerning that even though our
under the Ayushman Bharat insurance
scheme), who can walk into a govern-
ment hospital and avail free services.
Even for patients outside Odisha,
have debated extensively the need infrastructure shortage is so evident, more than 200 hospitals have been
for a ‘Right to Health’ bill to expressly the health outlay in the Union Budget impanelled. All this was achieved by
With climate action proving too slow as danger looms closer than suspected, last week’s US prioritize health concerns, be it private for 2023-24 took a backseat, with only a making provisions in the state budget
member bills introduced by my fellow 3.3% increase in budgeted expenditure. and not leaving the responsibility to
push for a study of sunlight reflectors for the planet is welcome but not ambitious enough Members of Parliament or the bill Further, there has been an 11.6% reduc- insurance companies.
with a similar intention passed in the tion in the revised estimate of 2022-23 Unfortunately, health as a policy
state of Rajasthan. versus the budgeted estimate of that intervention has always been measured
As recently as July 2020, the year. Thus, not only is our healthcare in terms of ‘outputs’ and not ‘outcomes.’

T
he covid outbreak of 2020 may involve sulphur dioxide or some other chemi- Supreme Court expanded the definition infrastructure undernourished, it is also We have established hospitals with
have overshadowed what we’ve cal being sprayed up there to act as a reflector. of the Right to Life and said that “it is the understaffed and overburdened. In inadequate staff (be it doctors, para-
duty of the state to ensure the right to such a situation, simply pushing ahead medics or nurses) that have only made
learnt this decade about climate The other is marine cloud brightening, which health,” thus making it inalienable from with legislation to protect citizens’ right the gaps in health services across the
change, but time and tide didn’t can achieve a similar effect. Both carry risks of an individual’s life and dignity. More- to health will achieve little. country more visible. Thus, regardless
wait for the world to regain its focus ecological disruption. Aerosols could worsen over, Article 47 of the Directive Princi- Against these fundamental challen- of intent, there is little that a separate
on the bigger threat. We face a ozone depletion, for example, and even hurt ples also call for the provision of “mater- ges, the Right to Health enactment in Right to Health bill can achieve in terms
grimmer scenario than suspected. By the latest biodiversity. How such large-scale action will nity relief” and “public assistance in Rajasthan envisages setting up of health of guaranteeing healthcare to citizens.
case of disablement.” In addition to authorities at the state and district levels This is because the resources needed to
update, not only does the prospect of our meddle with rainfall is another unknown with these provisions, India has also ratified to monitor the delivery of the right. set up this kind of health infrastructure,
planet warming more than 1.5° Celsius above knock-on effects too serious to overlook. Its several international treaties. However, beyond the initial concerns of both physical and human, have not
pre-industrial levels loom closer, the tip-over fallout would be inescapably global. This fact, Not to forget, India has more than 100 doctors, there are major apprehensions been available in the country.
risks of exceeding this cap could prove worse coupled with the fine judgement needed for healthcare schemes run by the govern- regarding the protection of citizens’ As an emerging economy, India must
than estimated in 2015, when it was set in Paris anyone to go ahead, may explain the report’s ment, covering different facets of data and their privacy as well as the focus on providing universal healthcare
healthcare. Then how is introducing a state’s fiscal capacity. For example, through public infrastructure and chart
under the aegis of the United Nations. While call for international cooperation. Even in Right to Health bill of any use? under the bill, district health authorities out a systematic framework to achieve
carbon control is crucial, whether we can exploratory mode, any such project to shield Despite existing provisions in the are required to upload action-taken it, instead of persisting with an insur-
safely shade the Earth from the Sun’s heat to the globe must aim for a consensus. The wider Constitution, India’s healthcare system reports on a web portal for complaints. ance-based model or adopting a right-
cool its atmosphere—and buy time—has that America reaches out to other countries, faces significant challenges. As per It does not specify who will have access based health model without adequate
escaped top-level attention. This is why last the better it would be. information given to Parliament, India’s to the report on the web portal, risking means to fulfil such a promise.
doctor-to-patient ratio is about 1:1,511 the patient’s right to privacy. Most These are the author’s personal views.
week’s release by the US White House of a What’s odd about the report is the lack of
report on “solar radiation modification” (SRM) ambition implied by its scope. Its proposal
published on a nudge from lawmakers, marks a restricts itself to the atmosphere’s upper
shift we should welcome. It advocates in-depth reaches and does not venture further into
research on the idea to assess all its risks and space, where mirror lattices could possibly do
potential benefits. Given how poorly we are a better calibrated job of cooling by interfering
doing on climate action, it is vital to explore only with solar radiation (and not the air). Its www.livemint.com
New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Chandigarh*, Pune* Thursday, July 4, 2013 Vol.7 No.158 `3.00 in Delhi­NCR/`4.00 outside Delhi­NCR 24 PAGES
+ 4 MARKETS PAGES

stop-gap options. execution would call for another order of com- INTERNATIONAL: Morsi
aide says
coup under way in Egypt >3
POLICY: Government allocates 14 captive coal
blocks to power PSUs >3

Solar geo-engineering will not clean up the plexity and cost, but prospect evaluation at this CONTENT PARTNER
TECHNOLOGY: Indian IT outsourcers face
backlash in Canada >8
VIEWS: M&As—The simplicity premium >23

air, nor will it save oceans already acidified by juncture in our climate battle ought to look at SENSEX 19,177.76 æ 286.06

EYE ON ELECTION
NIFTY 5,770.90 æ 86.65 DOLLAR `60.22 Æ `0.56

TURMOIL CONTINUES
EURO `78.21 Æ `0.77 GOLD `26,320 Æ `90

Cabinet note to
OIL $105.60 Æ $1.60

QUICK EDIT

Govt sets in be floated on Himalayan


Indian stocks fell the most in two weeks amid concern the central bank will have
less room to cut interest rates as oil prices climb and the rupee weakens. While

toxic exhaust, but it could mitigate the impact everything within the realm of possibility. If
the rupee fell to within less than 1% of its all-time low on fears of foreign investor
selling, the benchmark BSE index closed down 1.47%. The rupee tracked other India’s aviation challenge
emerging market currencies as new signs of slowing Chinese growth and
deepening political turmoil in Portugal kept risk aversion high. deal with UAE
motion food T he media circus will
(Inverse scale) soon move away in
B Y T ARUN S HUKLA search of its next fix and

Without data, you’re


59.88 Rupee intraday tarun.s@livemint.com the politicians will find
9.01am ························· something else to fight

of hotter conditions. The studies done so far on space-based reflectors merit exploration at all,
NEW DELHI
over—leaving the people

security plan T
60.245 he spat within the govern- of Uttarakhand to pick up
4.58pm ment stemming from alle- the pieces of their
gations that decisions were shattered lives.
rammed through with undue It may not be easy, as a
haste to favour the Jet Airways- new World Bank report
Etihad stake purchase deal on disaster management
looks set to intensify with the in the Asia Pacific region
Cabinet passes passed key items of legislation, civil aviation ministry said to that was released this

this, however, have been patchy and tentative. and there’s a prima facie case for it, then it too just another person with
ordinance to clear many of which have helped it
politically. From information
be preparing a counteroffen-
sive defending itself against
week shows in telling
detail.
ambitious plan weeks to jobs to education, and now the Prime Minister’s office For instance, two years
before Parliament is to food, the UPA believes in (PMO). after Cyclone Nargis
universal access. The food se- An agreement on a substan- ripped through Myanmar
scheduled to meet curity plan was part of the coa- tial increase in the number of in 2008, the debts of
lition’s manifesto in 2009 and, passengers that can be carried fishermen and labourers
B Y R AGINI V ERMA & soon after returning to power, between the United Arab Emir- in the country had
L IZ M ATHEW it promised that this would be 19,308.13 ates (UAE) and India was doubled. The World Bank

What the US report seeks is a proper ‘risk should have got a push. Its inclusion in an offi-
························· implemented in its first 100 9.15am reached on the same day, 24 also shows that the poor
NEW DELHI days in office. Sensex intraday April, that Etihad Airways PJSC and vulnerable are often

T he government cleared An ordinance is an executive said it would be acquiring a the worst hit by natural

an opinion.
an ambitious `1.25 tril- order to pass laws when Parlia- 24% stake in money-losing Jet disasters—women,
lion food security plan, ment is not in session. It re- 19,177.76 Airways (India) Ltd for $379 children, the elderly and
3.40pm
promising subsidised food to mains effective for six months million. disabled. Of course, the
two out of every three Indians, from the date of passage with- The civil aviation ministry is costs of rehabilitation
or just about everyone who in which period it must be re- preparing a cabinet note on can also be daunting,
needs it, by passing an ordi- placed with a permanent law the flying rights negotiations weighing down public

versus risk’ framework to help policymakers cial US study programme would encourage
nance to the effect in a move that needs to be passed by with the UAE that will contain budgets.
that is expected to help it gain both houses of Parliament. replies to points made public The debate on why
significant political capital in “First of all they are trying to by Prime Minister Manmohan there was inadequate
the run-up to the 2014 general take the political mileage and Singh’s office on Tuesday, said preparation deserves to
election and elections in sever- they have not done their a government official who de- be heard. Meanwhile, the
al states this year and next, al- homework properly. If the bill clined to be named. massive challenge of
though the move will stretch comes up for discussion in rehabilitation also looms.
New Delhi’s already extended Parliament, several things Source: Bloomberg TURN TO PAGE 3®
AHMED RAZA KHAN/MINT
finances. come on record. For example,

weigh the dangers of intervening this way other space-faring countries like India to step
Political opponents of the it was promised in its 100-day
Congress, the dominant party agenda and the UPA is taking
in the United Progressive Alli-
ance (UPA) government, and
an ordinance route when they
have just 100 or 200 days left in Gas price hike PRIVACY CONCERNS
analysts questioned the wis-
dom of passing an ordinance
power, which shows it’s a ploy
to reap political dividend,” may impact The new surveillance state
W. E DWa r D s D E mi n g
just weeks before Parliament is said Nirmala Sitharaman,
scheduled to meet. The timing
could make for a stormy ses-
spokesperson of the Bharatiya
Janata Party (BJP).
NTPC­RIL case B Y L ESLIE D ’M ONTE &
THINKSTOCK

against the perils of letting the mercury follow up their own research on it. Again, the wider
sion. President Pranab Mukherjee J OJI T HOMAS P HILIP
Credit rating agency Crisil is expected to sign the ordi- B Y M ONALISA & ·························
estimated that the fiscal deficit nance and issue it later on MUMBAI
U TPAL B HASKAR
for the year could rise to 5.1%
from the previously estimated
Wednesday evening or Thurs-
day. The monsoon session of
·························
NEW DELHI N othing will be secret or
private.
4.8%, largely on account of the
populist plan. On the other
hand, the programme could
Parliament is expected to be
convened by the last week of
July.
S tate-run NTPC Ltd is worried
that the government’s recent
decision to double the price of
Every conversation on land-
lines and mobile phones will
be heard; some will be record-
lead to a rise in consumption, The BJP and the Left Front gas produced in the country may ed. Every move you make on

its current path. The basic objective of SRM the set of nations working on it, the less geo-
said Crisil, as it will leave more have also previously expressed have done irreparable damage to the Internet will be tracked.
disposable income in the their reservations about the its case in the Bombay high court Fiction?
hands of beneficiaries. The ru- ability of the food security bill against Reliance Industries Ltd By December, when the
ral jobs programme that began to address issues such as mal- (RIL) over the supply of gas from Nanny State goes live, it will be
in 2005 had a similar effect. nutrition. the latter’s D6 block in the Krish- fact.
The ordinance is in keeping The ordinance cleared will na-Godavari (KG) basin. Once the government’s in-
with the UPA’s emphasis on provide 5kg of foodgrain per “Our case was weakened the nocuously named CMS (com-
entitlement, a theme around person per month to 67% of day government agreed on the munication monitoring sys- Under scanner: Cyberlaw experts and privacy lobby groups caution that

would be to reflect solar heat back, for which political resistance it’ll confront should a need
which it has drafted and the country’s population at a price of $4.2 per mmBtu (million tem) is in place, the state will India’s attempt to snoop on its citizens with the CMS could be abused
subsidised price of `1 to `3 per metric British thermal units). be able to snoop on your voice in the absence of a transparent process and a privacy law.
kg. The so-called poorest of Now pricing at $8.4 per mmBtu calls, fax messages, SMSes and
poor households that fall un- defeats the case’s purpose. How- MMSes, across all phone net- dominant mobile telephony A top government official,
der the Antyodaya Anna Yoja- ever, we are still pursuing the works. It will be able to access platforms), and the Internet. who did not want to be named,
na programme will continue to case,” said a top NTPC executive your Internet data, and see not The tender specified that the said the CMS centralized data
get 35kg of foodgrain per who didn’t want to be named just what sites you visit but system should be able to listen centre is likely to be ready by
household per month. And due to the sensitive nature of the even build a cache of your in- in live, and be able to analyse July and commissioned by Oc-
states and union territories issue. box, to decrypt at leisure. intercepted data. It should tober. The official also added

two particular methods are expected to go arise to press on. Transparency, of course, is a
will continue to receive at least The lawsuit between NTPC The process began more have the ability to record, store that the Centre for Develop-
as much grain as they current- and RIL dates back to December than a couple of years ago. and playback, without interfer- ment of Telematics (C-DoT),
ly do from the centre. 2005, the point of contention be- On 29 April 2011, India’s ing “with the operation of tele- the government’s telecom
ing the existence of a contract home ministry called for bids communication network or technology arm, has “signed
A tortuous progress between them and its terms. to set up communications make the target aware that he an agreement with the Centre
The plan was initially op- NTPC claims there is a contract monitoring systems in all state is being monitored”. for Artificial Intelligence and
posed by a section of the gov- in which RIL promised to supply capitals. The notice, which was The CMS is no longer a con- Robotics (CAIR) for Internet
ernment that warned about its 12 mcmd (million cubic metres a published on its website and cept. It has undergone suc-
financial impact, but Congress day) of gas for the expansion of went almost unnoticed, speci- cessful pilots and is likely to be TURN TO PAGE 5®

under the US research lens. One is aerosol must in any effort to intervene. Let’s have all
president Sonia Gandhi was the Kawas and Gandhar plants fied that the system should be commissioned by the year-
insistent that it needed to be im- for 17 years at $2.34 per mmBtu. able to monitor voice calls, fax end, according to an internal ALSO SEE
plemented. RIL says there’s no such con- messages, SMSes and MMSes, note dated 10 June from the
Mint is also available for R7 with and work across terrestrial net- department of telecommuni- >Views: Tinker, tailor, soldier,
Hindustan Times in Delhi-NCR only TURN TO PAGE 24® TURN TO PAGE 2® works, GSM and CDMA (the cations (DoT). international fugitive >P22

injection of the stratosphere, which would options under open examination globally.

MY VIEW | TRuTH, LieS And STATiSTiCS

Needed: A credible plan to fix India’s statistical system


key takeaways, focusing on what the Indian deep-rooted crisis the system faced. The set things right. Yet, it is too early to say how whether the government and public will be
PRAMIT BHATTACHARYA state should do to fix the gaping holes in our development of the country’s statistical sys- far these efforts will bear fruit, and whether better served if fewer high-quality surveys
statistical system. tem remained stunted, impacting the credi- they can overcome decades of stasis. are conducted under the supervision of an
A majority of stakeholders feel that India’s bility of data releases. There are no easy fixes for India’s statisti- independent statistical authority.
statistical system is facing a crisis, and one While the digitization of public data-sets cal crisis. Even among the well-wishers of Second, it should suggest legal and orga-
that has been long in the making. In the early over the past two decades has led to explo- the statistical system, opinions differ on nizational changes that can ensure effective

W
riting about India’s statistical sys- post-independence period, academic sive growth in the quantity of data, there has which part of the system has greater holes, statistical coordination at all levels of gov-
tem more than half a century ago, researchers and official statisticians worked been very little investment and what needs to be done ernment without compromising the auton-
American statistical pioneer W. together to produce a number of statistical in improving data quality. to fix them. To arrive at a omy of statistical bodies.
Edwards Deming said: “No country, devel- innovations that helped policymakers make As a result, the quality of A statistical shared understanding of Third, it should prepare a national statisti-
oped, under-developed, or over-developed, sense of a complex economy. Since the mid- administrative data varies what ails the statistical sys- cal strategy document to deliver timely and
has such a wealth of information about its 1970s, both statistical innovation and invest- vastly across states and reforms tem and to devise the right credible statistics in a cost-effective manner.
people as India has in respect to expendi- ments slowed down even as the worlds of departments. Even the set of prescriptions for it, The document should guide the actions of
tures, savings, time lost through sickness, research and official statistics moved apart. quality of survey data
commission the government needs to the future statistical authorities once they

is a Chennai-based journalist.
employment, unemployment, agricultural
production, and industrial production.”
Growing insularity, the lack of invest-
ments in computing resources and the
varies significantly across
agencies and regions.
should be set up set up a Statistical Reforms
Commission.
are set up, and should be reviewed at least
once every decade.
His Twitter handle is pramit_b Since then, India’s statistical system has
lost sheen, and several of India’s key statisti-
declining influence of the Planning Com-
mission (which had earlier been a pillar of
Growing political pres-
sures on the statistical sys-
to plug India’s A lot has changed in the
world of statistics since the
The commission could be headed by an
eminent statistician or a technocrat who is
cal products are mired in controversy today. support for statisticians) eroded the statisti- tem lately have made mat- gaping data Rangarajan Commission non-partisan, and is perceived as such.
Over the past year, I have analysed hundreds cal system’s effectiveness. By the turn of the ters worse, leading to submitted its report in Beyond official statisticians, economic poli-
of documents and conducted interviews 20th century, India’s statistical crisis had delays and disruptions in holes 2001. The time has come cymakers and jurists, it should also include
with diverse stakeholders to make sense of become too severe to be ignored. In early statistical activities. for a fresh review and a representatives from India’s growing com-
the rise and wane of India’s statistical sys- 2000, the government appointed a commis- While national statisti- comprehensive plan for munity of non-official data users. As one of
tem. Half of them were data producers. The sion led by C. Rangarajan to review and sug- cal products get most attention, matters are rebooting the statistical system. the leading data analytics hubs of the world,
rest were active data consumers who have gest ways to improve the statistical system. far worse in state capitals. For many decades, The new commission should have a three- India has a pool of extremely talented data
spent long years studying official statistics. Some of the commission’s recommenda- state governments neglected statistical fold mandate. First, it should conduct a cost- scientists in its private sector. Some of that
The detailed results of that research are tions were implemented, but only in a half- issues. As a result, state-level policymakers benefit analysis of the existing mechanisms talent should also be tapped to reimagine
available in a working paper published by hearted manner. The modest reforms initi- came to depend on national surveys for of collecting and organizing public data-sets. India’s statistical system.
the Carnegie Endowment for International ated in the wake of the Rangarajan commis- state-level figures. In recent years, some For instance, it should examine how much This is the first of a two-part series on
Peace (rb.gy/6k3bi). This column is about its sion’s recommendations failed to resolve the state governments have initiated attempts to key ministries spend on ad-hoc surveys, and India’s statistical crisis.
LIVEMINT.COM VIEWS TUESDay, 4 JUly 2023
NEw DElhi 13

guEsT VIEW M I N T C U R AT O R

The world needs local policies to Equality in the US has been a


fraught proposition all along
address the global refugee crisis Even affirmative action has not fulfilled the US pledge of freedom

Disrupted lives deserve the relief of policies aimed at refugee well-being, welcoming host communities and local integration

REUTERS

FRANCIS WILKINSON
is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering
U.S. politics and policy.

MEENUKA MATHEW
is a senior research fellow at the Jindal School of
Government and Public Policy.

J
ust in time for 4 July, the US Supreme
Court curtailed the ability of universi-
ties to use race as a factor in admissions.

T
he recent Greek coast shipwreck Many US universities have used affirm- Lincoln’s Gettysburg address was a call to
tragedy was another reminder that the ative action not only as a means for student expand ideals of liberty GETTYIMAGES
lives of people fleeing remain at risk diversity, but in a general effort to bolster
because they lack safe-legal routes, equality in a stubbornly unequal America. ended at the Supreme Court targeted race-
solidarity and life-saving assistance. The court’s Republican majority decided conscious admissions facilitating the entry
Refugees are not migrants by choice. that such quotas violate the Constitution’s of minorities into elite institutions. Legacy
They have grounded reasons to leave their homes equal protection clause. The court ruled, in and donor-driven admissions, which rein-
behind. To seek asylum is a Universal Human effect, that more equal is less fair. force the hold of a permanent elite, rarely
Right (Article 14) and not a crime. The global Equality has always been a fraught con- animated conservatives in the same way.
refugee crisis has grown enormously since 2010. cept. In the US Declaration of Independ- In his 1992 book, Lincoln at Gettysburg,
Increasing sociopolitical, economic and environ- ence, Thomas Jefferson had the temerity to Garry Wills documents what he calls the
mental uncertainties can make any country declare that “all men are created equal,” “giant (if benign) swindle” that Abraham
insecure, resulting in people fleeing. Therefore, which the slave owner from Virginia nei- Lincoln accomplished in November 1863
every country is responsible for providing safe ther believed nor pretended to, at least not with 272 words. It began with the very first
harbour to asylum seekers. beyond rhetoric. Stanford historian Jack sentence of his Gettysburg address, when
South Asia, host to 3 million refugees, lacks Rakove holds that Jefferson meant colo- he called the US a nation “dedicated to the
inclusive policies to help steadily growing num- nists “as a people” had a right to self-gov- proposition that all men are created equal.”
bers. Refugees in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh ernment that was equal to the right of other Reverence for the founders, the wealthy
are from neighbouring regions. The region experi- peoples. But given the scarcity of self-gov- Caucasian men who set the Constitutional
ences protracted situations that demand local solu- protracted discomfort as host countries wait for The refugee crisis is not just a humanitarian one, ernment in 1776, even that’s a curiously machine in motion, has always offered a
tions, rather than relying only on refugee frame- them to leave. The possibility of ‘integration’ is but also a development crisis. Refugee issues and expansive framework. In the run-up to that convenient guise in which to perpetuate
works to which the countries are not signatories. mostly ignored for justifiable reasons like security, solutions intersect. Without policies to access revolt, ‘equality’, however hedged, was a the brutally hierarchical and racist world in
Why is the refugee system broken?: Long-standing economic and national identity. Jordan, Kenya, services, refugees must rely on shadow economies. useful rallying cry for Americans seeking to which they thrived. Lincoln, Wills writes,
refugee situations, such as the Syrian conflict’s Uganda, Germany and Canada instead choose When refugee support is unregulated, human jettison a king, who ruled over them from had to “sneak around the frontal defenses
exodus, Rohingya movement from Myanmar, integration through local policies and gain socio- trafficking, illegal drug networks and black mar- divinely inspired heights, and his troops, of prejudice and find a back way into agree-
Afghan displacement and many others, are far economically, just as refugees do. kets accelerate, fanning anti-refugee sentiments. who exercised proximate controls. A dec- ment with bigots.” This explains, at the
from reaching any settlement. Unfortunately, Interestingly, Bangladesh, India and Pakistan Refugees, however, are human capital. Providing ade later, with freedom won and British Raj level of tactics, the usefulness of the 1776
solutions are sought within an outdated frame- host many refugees and experience highly pro- them work opportunities is vital for their integra- tossed, the statement’s utility seemed to Declaration for Lincoln. That revered doc-
work that can no longer absorb new migration tracted situations, implying that local policies are tion and self-reliance so that they do not burden have expired; it found no purchase in the ument was anti-monarchical in common
regimes. Thus, depending on current interna- required to facilitate integration. Regardless of their hosts. Providing legal work rights helps cut slavery-drenched US Constitution. perception and thus unchallengeable. But
tional frameworks to address global problems is location, the common challenge for refugees is the cost of welfare programmes and minimizes the Much US history that followed can be because it indicted King George III in
unsustainable. identification documents. They usually flee with- likelihood of refugees taking to illegal activities. viewed as a contest between rising terms of equality, “it committed Americans
Locally, refugee issues are approached from a out such papers and their prolonged stays create Systems thinking in public policy design can demands for equality and entrenched to claims even more at odds with slavery
‘management framework’, claiming the necessity an ID crisis. International organizations cannot recognize the existence of refugees and grant them defences of hierarchy, racial included. than with kingship....” At Gettysburg, Lin-
to ‘manage’ the crisis, thus restricting entry. From address this unilaterally, as identification requires access to essential services. Valid IDs or public- Much politics today follows suit. ‘Make coln laid the foundation for a war after the
redirecting and stopping small boats to building a degree of acceptance by local communities. In private partnerships can facilitate this. Canada’s America Great Again’ frequently casts itself Civil War, when ideals of freedom would
walls have become a response to people fleeing Türkiye (with the highest refugee population), ref- refugee policy has supported 40,000 Afghan as a populist movement against elites: aca- challenge long-held prejudices. That
painful circumstances. Such policies are adopted ugees faced challenges in accessing healthcare refugees since 2021 (a large resettlement pro- demics, scientists, culture leaders and the project failed. Instead, a vicious reaction
by administrations that lack the political will for during the recent earthquake since they lacked gramme), where newcomers are protected kind of condescending educated affluent delayed the dawn of equality for a century.
sustainable solutions. Ironically, the global north acceptable IDs. In India, for refugees to access through public-private pathways. liberals who occupy cosmopolitan cities Lincoln mostly succeeded, however, in
hosts only 15% of the world’s refugees, but has covid vaccines, Indian policy demanded they reg- Opportunities to acquire local languages can and conservative imaginations. But the changing the meaning of ‘equality’ in the
financial power over refugee organizations. ister through mandatory IDs they don’t have; they open doors in labour markets and enable refugees quotidian reality of MAGA politics is not an Declaration, setting off a moral battle that
Low and middle-income countries (LMCs) host were thus excluded by design. to participate fully in a country’s society and econ- assault on hierarchy, but a defence of it. Its continues. Many Americans now under-
85% of all refugees. This indicates why it is not in For refugees to fill employment gaps is tough. omy. In Italy, refugees must have a minimum fiercest commitments are to a veritable stand “all men are created equal” as a quin-
the interest of the global north to solve this crisis. Even a certified French teacher in Delhi cannot B1-level of Italian or their residency applications sprawl of privilege, elevating Caucasians tessentially American fact.
Consequently, 88% of the world’s refugee pro- open a bank account or find decent accommoda- may be denied for insufficient social inclusion. over others, male over female, straight over But if all are created equal, why are some
grammes are underfunded, diverted from sustain- tion without identity proof. Such individuals are The Global Compact on Refugees, the most LGBTQ+, native over migrant, rich over born into stifling deprivation while others
able solutions to ad-hoc arrangements and also exposed to exploitation, which is the story of many. recent such framework, promotes integration poor, rural over urban, Christian over enjoy boundless privilege? Who should
politicized based on ethnicities, religions and his- Note that even a UNHCR refugee card is not an through international cooperation. At least some other, and conservative over all. surrender privilege in service to equality,
torical backgrounds. Underfunding also resulted acceptable ID for accessing essential services. integration holds the key to the refugee crisis and Across the US, policies that reinforce and who should get it? That’s what affirma-
from a threefold increase in in-donor refugee costs Can public policies do better?: The root causes of this can be achieved better through local policies hierarchy are Republican signatures: work tive action was all about, and what the
(4.6% 2021 to 14.4% 2022). Some countries see global issues are often entrenched in local dynam- than international frameworks. Integration can requirements for poor parents combined court’s ruling was about, too. Indeed, the
in-country refugee expenses as part of their Over- ics. The predisposition of citizens to accept refu- only occur when opportunities exist to contribute. with tax cuts for the wealthy; abortion pro- portioning of privilege remains the stuff of
seas Development Assistance (ODA) commitments gees could depend on the economic, language and Local integration policies, refugee well-being and hibitions that undermine female auton- American politics in 2023. The dead hand
and reduce funding for refugee programmes. cultural impact. The notion that refugees weigh host community perceptions are inter-connected. omy; and a frenzied assault on other gen- of reaction hasn’t lifted. The demand for
Refugee settlement can be done by integration, upon a country and contribute to economic prob- Therefore, policies that address these intersecting der and sexual identities, which is an effort equality isn’t met. Yet, the slave-holder’s
voluntary repatriation and third-country resettle- lems has led to ripple-effect challenges for refu- streams can facilitate sustainable solutions to refu- to deny the pursuit of happiness to a mar- 1776 Declaration, repurposed by the Great
ment. The latter two are commonly considered the gees. Often, anti-refugee perceptions are based on gee challenges within local contexts as well as aid ginalized class. It’s telling that the long Emancipator, still offers escape from the
main solutions. Globally, 74% of refugees remain in forms of xenophobia rather than reality. in solving one of the biggest crises of our times. conservative war on affirmative action that straitjacket of the past. ©BLOOMBERG

MY VIEW | A vISIBLe hANd

The chorus of central bankers: Higher rates for longer


expected decline in energy prices), they Covid has had a tremendous impact on UK mortgages are fixed-rate loan deals with reflect the ‘higher for longer’ reality Powell
NARAYAN RAMACHANDRAN were more than a bit surprised about how the macro-economics of developed markets a relatively short duration of about 5 years, spoke of. Present valuations in most mar-
resilient the labour market was in their (DM). Lasting effects have come from sup- compared to 96% in the US with a much kets, particularly for growth stocks, are
respective regions. Given this reality, they ply-chain distortions, behaviour changes longer average duration. This dramatically unsustainable if discount rates on that
saw no way to reduce inflation to its target related to the labour market and the out- slows down the transmission process. growth are required to be higher for longer.
without rates being “higher for longer”. The sized liquidity and fiscal response to the pan- Markets everywhere seem to disagree For emerging markets, including India,

T
he picturesque town of Sintra, Portu- Fed’s dot-plot, an indication of how Fed demic. These impacts have contributed to with central bankers. For the first six months the domestic situation is a bit different. Pan-
gal, played host last week to an unusu- members think, shows short rates rising to inflation on both the sup- of the year, the S&P 500 demic-time flows from liquidity and fiscal
ally candid conversation between four 5.6% from the current 5.0% level (implying ply and demand sides, has had a total return of taps were much more measured than those
of the world’s top central bankers: those of two more rate hikes), before holding steady leaving central bankers the Tighter money nearly 17%, the Nasdaq 100 in DMs, and labour-market behavioural
the US, Eurozone, UK and Japan. US Federal and then declining. challenging task of having has surged nearly 40%, impacts far less pronounced. As global sup-
Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, Bank of Powell broke down the components of to tackle an unprece- policies in rich Euro Stoxx 50 Index is up ply chains normalize, goods inflation
England (BoE) Governor Andrew Bailey, inflation into three ‘sectors’ in the US: the dented phenomenon of nearly 16% and the S&P remains more or less in check and domestic
European Central Bank (ECB) President goods sector, housing services sector (which rising prices.
countries are high-yield bond index has inflationary expectations from the services

is chairman, InKlude Labs. Read


Christine Lagarde and Bank of Japan (BoJ)
Governor Kazuo Ueda were at the annual
together make up about 50%) and the broad
services sector, which makes up the rest.
Within DM, there are
substantial differences in
facing off with returned over 5%. Indian
stock markets hit all-time
sector are muted.
One mechanism by which DM monetary
Narayan’s Mint columns at
www.livemint.com/
ECB forum on central banking. All exclud-
ing Ueda were in sync, repeating the phrases
Powell was sanguine about inflation arising
from the goods and housing services sector,
the various structural
components of different
markets and the highs last week. Markets
are quarrelling both with
policy can impact India relates to inward
flows of foreign direct investment, portfolio
avisiblehand like “data dependent”, “meeting by meet- since they are already showing signs of price economies. The speed of outcome will the ‘higher’ and ‘longer’ investment and diaspora remittances, the
ing”, “robust labour markets” and “resilient stability or disinflation. In his reading, the monetary policy transmis- aspect of the DM central volumes of which are influenced by compe-
growth.” They were united in the assertion US services sector, with wages a significant sion is different in a well- affect India banker’s current playbook. tition from upward DM money-market
that they must continue to act to “return component of profit/loss accounts, has only integrated economy like These market rallies have rates. Even if Indian growth prospects are
inflation to target.” Understandably, the BoJ now begun to show signs of moderation. the US compared to a still- the consequential effect of viewed favourably, the extraordinary ven-
was joining the party from the other end of Powell said several times that for core US integrating and enlarging-on-the-margin easing financial conditions, contrary to the ture capital and private equity inflows of the
the inflation-growth spectrum and was on a inflation to approach its 2% target, policy economy like the EU (Croatia became the effect that central bankers want to create. pandemic years are unlikely to return for
“watch and see” mode. will need to be restrictive both in magnitude 20th Eurozone country only on 1 January In the end, of course, only one side wins. quite some time if short-dollar rates remain
If one were to read between the lines, and in terms of time so that “stickier” parts of this year). Policy-transmission speed is also If financial markets are to win, it will be higher for longer in the Fed’s bid to combat
Powell, Lagarde and Bailey seemed to be inflation can soften. In a shocking admission affected to a great extent by the proportion because growth resilience is possible even as inflation in America.
saying that despite a decline in headline from a central banker, he said that this was of fixed versus variable rate mortgages and inflation comes down. If the Fed’s view wins, P.S: “If you do not change direction, you may
inflation (possibly caused by a greater than unlikely to happen until 2025. their duration. For instance, nearly 85% of then markets will have to grind down to end up where you are heading,” said Lao Tzu
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Character is like a tree and reputation
its shadow. The shadow is what we Abraham
think it is and the tree is the real thing Lincoln

08 CHENNAI TUESDAY 04 07 2023


� �

I
ndia is a noise whose time has Post-1947 till the early 1970s, the defining relationship will be a noise for a while to come. The idea
come. I have waited a full week of what we offer, both as producers and con-
INDIAN EXPRESS IS NOT AN for the noise, fury, fizz and fer- between the US and India was the ‘North-South’ trade sumers, will be the prime attraction for the
INDUSTRY. IT IS A MISSION. vour around Prime Minister dynamics. The North produced and the South consumed US. Even as we continue following a reason-
— Ramnath Goenka Narendra Modi’s State visit to ably neutral alignment philosophy when it

MODI’S US VISIT
settle down. That week is over comes to countries and what they offer us,
and it is time to dissect the noise a combination of destiny and geopolitical
that India is today. realities—the pandemic, the Ukraine war,

BULLYING TACTICS FOR If you lived in Washington DC or New


York, the India buzz was seen all of the last DONE, BUT INDIA the alienation of Russia and a possible Rus-
sia-China bloc—have brought India and the

RECOVERING BANK fortnight in the build-up to PM Modi’s visit


to the US. Prominent buildings were lit up
‘NOISE’ HERE TO STAY
US closer.
The India noise will then continue in the

LOANS MUST STOP in the Indian tricolour theme, band-baaja


was the dominant sound, Indian food took
pride of place, and most importantly, Indian
years that follow. Even as we sort the wheat
from the chaff, India has a solid story to
tell. This noise is, therefore, not empty

B
faces were seen everywhere—from the spe- noise. India is going to continue with its
ack in the 1990s, when India stepped into the light of eco- cial receptions hosted by the White House normal habit of growing 3% faster than the
nomic liberalisation and private banks began the gold to the ones you saw at Times Square in global economy by and large. If the global
rush, ‘collection agencies’ found a strong formal footing in NYC. Television channels, both local and HARISH Brand Guru and Founder, economy is slated to grow at 2.5% at worst,
global, had India-themed discussions, and BIJOOR Harish Bijoor Consults Inc expect India ahead at 5.5%. The joy of it
the banking space of the country. Stories of forcible grab-
the ubiquitous Samosa Caucus was being is the fact that we are no longer as small
bing of cars and two-wheelers by these third-party actors spoken about everywhere it mattered. as we were before. We count. We are likely
soon followed the initial boom of vehicle loans. The strong-arm As the PM’s visit to the US stands to emerge as the third largest economy
tactics went on to be the norm. The harrowing tales of small all dusted and wrapped up for now, I in the world by 2027–28, as per a recent
borrowers hounded for failing to repay personal loans have be- must start this piece by saying that India neutral estimation.
come all too familiar in our popular culture. Three decades later, has never had it as good in the US ever. But amidst all this garish optimism in
the economic landscape and banking ecosystem stand trans- Not to date. the noise, there are really two downsides
The warmth, camaraderie and more- that need correction. Firstly, India needs to
formed. Digital services have taken financial inclusion to a new equal-than-equal status the prime ministe- show the will to retain its business people
plane. Online loan apps and fintech have revolutionised the sec- rial visit enjoyed means a lot for the India- within the borders of the nation. The flight
tor, while NBFCs have a sweeping coverage of the vast rural US relationship, as seen from the prism of of businesses—both the brick and mortar
landscape. So much so that 60% of the loans disbursed by NBFCs commerce, politics and noise. If I am to kind and the startup kind—is key to ad-
in 2021 were through digital lending apps, according to an inde- compare PM Modi’s first official visit to the dress. And secondly, even as this is done on
pendent report. Yet, the monster lives on. On Sunday, an elderly US in 2016 to the one just concluded, if that a war footing, it is time to ramp up our FDI
was chalk, this is emmental. program. Yes, the numbers look exciting
couple in Odisha’s Puri district ended their lives allegedly under
Noise then. What is this cacophony all when we compare gross numbers from the
the intense pressure of loan repayment from a microfinance about? In a bid to understand this, one past versus what we are getting today. At-
company and private banks. Late last year, in upscale Gurugram, needs to quickly understand items both tracting 1% of GDP as FDI is really busi-
a middle-aged man met the same fate over a similar incident. hard and soft. The hard item first. In the ness as usual. But this is business that does
These are just small pointers to a bigger malaise. beginning it is all about commerce. The US not suit high-decibel noise. It is important
Recovery from a Covid-stressed economy, inflation and rising is India’s largest trading partner with a for us to ramp this up to 2%, which other
trade bill of $191 billion. India and the US emerging markets of the world are doing
interest rates have exacerbated the sufferings of thousands of
are umbilically connected in terms of trade- right now. Let’s also remember that China
defaulting small businesses and individual households. Much relationship dynamics. Add to it the fact was hitting a far greater target of 4% dur-
of it has to be seen from two angles—financial literacy and the that today India represents the largest ing its heyday.
situation in rural India where NBFCs hold sway. As per National free market as far as consumers for goods In closing, if I am to find the biggest
Centre for Financial Education’s 2019 survey, overall financial and services are concerned. Literally bumper sticker item from the recent US-
literacy in the country stands at a meagre 27%. In states like every item of American produce, whether SOUMYADIP SINHA India bonhomie, it is PM Modi’s epic line in
Odisha, Sikkim and Chhattisgarh, the average is around 10%. it is an apple of the Washington or Cuper- his address to the joint session of the
tino variety, or be it the Harley Davidson Intelligence, 6G forays into telecom, and where we stand now at the end of this prime US Congress. At this big address which
Barely 29% of men are financially literate, while for women it is or any other high-end luxury brand that quantum computing as pathbreakers in the ministerial visit. The US and India are saw many standing ovations from the audi-
21%. Low penetration of financial literacy restricts their access sprouts from the shores of the US, has a road ahead. poised to emerge as co-creators, co-manu- ence, PM Modi spoke about an all new AI:
to consumer rights information and grievance redressal. vast market of consumers waiting in India. In the years post-Independence till the facturers and co-users. “In the past few years, there have been
The RBI has issued guidelines to make banks and NBFCs ac- The involvement is mutual, as is the early Seventies, if the defining relationship The future, in many ways, will be planned many advances in AI—Artificial Intelli-
countable for safeguarding customers’ interests and warned of dependence. between the US and India was the “North- together. Not by the US at one end dictating gence. At the same time, there have been
stringent action. But regulatory mechanisms and surveillance From the perspective of manufacturing, South” trade dynamics—where the North the story. The US will depend on India even more momentous developments in an-
the ‘China plus one’ strategy today includes produced and the South consumed—today for services and markets, and India will de- other AI—America and India.”
seem inadequate as loan consumption demands balloon across many markets, but none potentially as big it is a topsy-turvy world. pend on the US for products. We will still But here’s a more playful closing note: “A”
India. Financial institutions may have embraced the best tech- as India. Not Vietnam. Not Indonesia. Add If the “North-South” trade dynamics of buy aircraft engines from the US, even as it stands for Artificial and so does America.
nologies, but the recovery mechanism they have adopted re- the bucket of technology to this mix and US-India relationship was Ver 1.0, the “Sell- sets up its research and development “I” stands for Intelligence and so does India.
mains crude and disorganised. That needs immediate reforms. India rules. India, and more importantly er-Buyer” dynamics that followed with mu- hubs more and more in India. The depend- On that rather vulgar jingoistic note, here’s
Indians, cannot be ignored when you plan tual profit was Ver 2.0. Today, this relation- ence is mutual. to a new AI ahead.
for the future of the world with Artificial ship is more mutual than ever. Ver 3.0 is India is a noise today and I suspect we (harishbijoor@hotmail.com)

FORGET ‘SPIRIT’, ENGLAND


SHOULD PLAY BY RULES
THE SOUND OF A SUNDAY COUP
A IS SILENCE, ASK AJIT PAWAR
s yet another enthralling Ashes Test ended on Sunday at
cricket’s cathedral, Lord’s, with Australia going 2–0 up in Maha drama
the series, the talking point was neither England captain Ref: Maha drama as Ajit Pawar is dy CM
Ben Stokes’ valiant ton nor Nathan Lyon hobbling out to (July 3). The newly inducted Maharashtra
ministers are facing corruption cases. Once

O
bat on Saturday for the visitors. No, not even the barrage
ne way of looking at Maharash- they support BJP, the investigations vaporise.
of bouncers that dominated the match. Instead, it was a fair
tra’s developments is to acknowl- As Mamata Banerjee once said, BJP acts as a
dismissal. Australia wicketkeeper Alex Carey threw back the edge how efficient India’s washing machine. The easiest way to separate
ball to stump Jonny Bairstow, who appeared to have casually left political system can be. On a people from their parent parties is to direct
the crease, assuming the ball was dead. Usman Khawaja was rain-sodden Sunday, not only C P SURENDRAN Poet, novelist, and screenplay writer. His latest the investigating agencies to them. This is the
abused in the Long Room by the members of the Marylebone did Ajit Pawar have a meeting novel is One Love and the Many Lives of Osip B latest model of practical democracy.
Cricket Club. The English crowd booed the visitors, calling them with the NCP rebels at his resi- Dr M Haneef, Kottayam
dence, but by afternoon, he had headed to
‘Cheating Aussies’. The incident invoked the ‘spirit of cricket’ Ajit’s moves
Raj Bhavan in Malabar Hill to submit his day coup. A coup of sorts. Was it just an epi- work harder than Mondays. We are a very
discourse again. letter of support to the government of sode in our collective amnesia that Fad- work-oriented nation. Ajit Pawar joined NDA with eight other
The argument was that Bairstow had no intention of stealing Eknath Shinde. navis had a leading hand in initiating The case of Ajit Pawar is intriguing. He MLAs, deceiving his uncle Sharad Pawar in
a run. After the match, Stokes said he wouldn’t want to win a The Raj Bhavan was open. Ajit Pawar investigations by the Enforcement Directo- has no great charisma. His administrative Maharashtra. Reports state there were serious
Test match like that, while Pat Cummins maintained that the then presented The List—without a list rate against Ajit and his friends, five of talents are uncertain. He has no sense of corruption charges against him and his only
dismissal was well within the rules. What seemed baffling was there is no politics—of 40 NCP legislators whom were sworn in as ministers on loyalty. His enemies—Fadnavis, Shinde, Ud- way to avoid them was joining the BJP. If
the way the fans behaved. The vitriol spewed by some past Eng- to Governor Ramesh Bais. His Excellency Sunday? dhav Thackeray—are his friends. His the dictatorship and corruption of BJP is to
greeted them with a smile, like a host rais- friends—Sharad Pawar for one—his secret be ended, then all the parties have to come
land cricketers, too, has been off the charts. Geoffrey Boycott ing a toast, and ready to make or break but intimate enemies. And he is cold as a together. Otherwise the country’s economy
wants the Australian team to issue a public apology. For what? whole governments faster than the first fish. Yet Ajit has turned out to be one of the and public will face more difficulties.
For following the rules? The only person who didn’t abide by the whisky hitting the back of the throat. most successful political leaders of Mahar- T K R Noori, Hyderabad
laws codified in the game was the one who suffered. Bairstow Around 2.30 pm, Ajit and eight other stal- ashtra. What is this man? Indeed, who is he?
shouldn’t have left his crease. Commentating, Michael Atherton wart MLAs took oath as ministers. Ajit is How does his mind work? What does he see Manipur violence
called it ‘dozy play’. That’s precisely what it was. made Deputy CM. The others must wait a that the others can’t? What explains his The Manipur CM appears to have lost control,
little for the portfolios. For the portfolios grip on state politics? and the home minister’s visits failed to bring
The script, of course, is familiar. There have been instances
have to be created. The important thing is Sharad Pawar, possibly the only person about any positive results. The PM is yet to
when out-of-the-ordinary ways of dismissing a batter have been that they have become ministers. who might have an inkling, is himself like- visit despite the grave situation. He should
questioned. There is no better example than R Ashwin running The Deputy CM’s post has no portfolio. ly to be puzzled. The exponents of the game at least now try to defuse the situation and
out Jos Buttler for leaving the crease at the non-striker’s end The Deputy CM is a state of being. But for theory in Indian politics believe that Pawar restore peace through personal intervention,
before the bowler released the ball. India’s star off-spinner has Ajit, this post is a kind of glass ceiling; he could be playing a game. That Ajit is a pawn before it is too late.
always maintained that if there is a rule, it should be considered has been sworn in at least twice in recent ANI in it. That his daughter, Supriya Sule, is an- S V Venkatakrishnan, Bengaluru
times (once with Devendra Fadnavis as the other. That through the Ajit gambit he
part of the game. As for the dismissal, calling it unfair would be The real thing is the brokering of UCC bill
CM in November 2019, and then with Fad- keeps the BJP on his side; through Supriya,
ridiculous. It’s a dismissal that has been part of the game since navis’ Opposition in the MVA government personal and political fortunes of he keeps the Congress option open. One Ref: PM raises UCC pitch but government
the beginning of The Ashes—W G Grace ran out Sammy Jones, in the same month of the same year, until doubts. Pawar is going on 82. He founded should avoid rushing through bill (July 3). The
the individual and all of it happens
which was followed by England’s first home defeat and the birth Eknath Shinde split from the Shiv Sena. the NCP in 1992. To break up what he found- editorial is right. However, the UCC pitch by PM
of this rivalry in 1882. Current England head coach Brendon Whose deputy Ajit became again on Sun- unbridled behind closed doors on ed at this rather late stage in his is right amid the preparation for 2024. Why
McCullum effected such runouts, including the one to dismiss day. Haha.). rainy Sundays that work harder life is to disrupt his political and career nar- can’t it be read as a pitch for understanding
his assistant coach Paul Collingwood. You can’t keep invoking None of this could have happened with- than Mondays. We are a very rative completely. the electorate’s opinion in a democratic
out the prime minister or the home minis- work-oriented nation It is just possible that his nephew (63), country instead of interpreting it as a
something that’s, at best—notional—and claim to be the ag- ter in Delhi being just as responsive and having waited all his life, has finally stepped polarisation tactic by the Modi government?
grieved party. England has been guilty of this far too often. Sug- competent as the administration in Mum- out of his uncle’s shadow, the earlier at- Jitendranath Guru, Padampur
gest they start playing by the rules. bai. It is the Double Engine working as if Sharad Pawar, alternatively Ajit’s friend tempts explained as rehearsals. Maybe
there is no Sunday. and foe, cannot be taught a single trick. He it is Ajit’s way of thanking his uncle. A Otters’ quarrel
And the ever-hopeful voter has no clue knows them all. And he appreciates other mentor is truly honored only when he Ref: Sakyamuni’s story to the wise
Q U I C K TA K E who or what he/she had stood for while in masters. His nonchalant comment on the is destroyed. (July 3). The writer has enthralled us with
the queue leading up to the booth. What he/ events was: “I am happy that Prime Minis- So that was the Sunday that was. I hap- an age-old fable narrated in a novel style.
MENTAL RELIEF she preferred in their wisdom as citizens
has not the remotest resemblance to what
ter Narendra Modi has cleared some NCP
colleagues of corruption charges as they
pened to be in Bombay. It rained. You saw
some old skyscrapers were not visible for
The benevolent quarrel between the otters
reminded me of the one between the two

I
ndia performs the first brain surgery to treat schizophrenia. they voted for. are now ministers in the government. This the new ones. In the distance, a mall Lucknow nawabs who missed their train due
The patient has responded well. Psychosurgery or neuromodu- Since the formation of the Maha Vikas means the allegations were baseless.” emerged like a spectre out of the rain mist. to their ‘pehle aaps’.
Agadi (MVA) four years ago, leading to the He also said he would remain the The traffic lights shone dully red and green Sukumar Mandalika, email
lation surgery, a subspeciality of neurosurgery, is still develop- swearing-in of the Shiv Sena-led Uddhav face—not a very appealing prospect per- on the wet roads. The Metro ran on time.
ing—only 13 surgeries have been recorded globally. It involves Thackery cabinet, the BJP has been looking haps in relation to any product besides a Most passengers carried umbrellas. One Mature democracy
implanting electrodes in certain brain areas to regulate abnor- for ways and means to get a hold on the key political party—of the NCP though he had girl got in with a white raincoat on. All Ref: Sakyamuni’s story to the wise (July 3).
mal activities. Schizophrenia, characterised by hallucinations state of Maharashtra. As it happens in hu- stepped down as its president only a few around her feet was a circle of water, from Of late it has become fashionable to wash
and disorganised behaviour, is most common in India. It leads man affairs, they found reliable allies in weeks ago. the raindrops running down. There were our linen in foreign capitals. Our democracy is
to social isolation and stigmatisation and often becomes treat- their enemies. It all boils down to just one thing: In the the announcements. Of doors closing. Of mature and quite capable of sorting out our
As a result, the Shiv Sena leader Eknath Indian brand of democracy, the vote is just stations coming. Outside, an entire coup problems. Our electorate is also wise enough
ment-resistant. The new technique may eventually help patients
Shinde split and formed a government with the beginning. The real thing is the broker- was happening on one of the most silent to change elected representatives to prevent
with OCD and Tourette’s syndrome. ICMR must sponsor re- the BJP, with Devendra Fadnavis as the ing of personal and political fortunes of the Sundays of the year. No one knew. The city any entrenchment and distortion of our
search and upgradation to reduce the cost of the surgery, which Deputy CM. individual and all of it happens unbridled grounded on. constitutional ideals.
can change how we view mental disorders. Fadnavis helped Ajit engineer the Sun- behind closed doors on rainy Sundays that (cpsurendran@gmail.com) Yugandhar, email

THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS


Chairman of the Board: Manoj Kumar Sonthalia Editor: Santwana Bhattacharya
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06
OPINION THE TRIBUNE CHANDIGARH | TUESDAY | 4 JULY 2023

THE TRIBUNE
established in 1881 The global race to reindustrialise
Vast reordering of global economy seems set to unleash forces that may not be easy to control
Maharashtra twist EU and UK together had a GDP
Onus on Sharad Pawar to keep NCP afloat of $19.8 trillion, while that of the
US had risen to $25 trillion.

F
OR once, Sharad Pawar — who has a leg- All these issues are now ele-
ments in the global race to
endary knack for making and breaking
reindustrialise, triggered by
alliances — finds himself on the receiving end
trends in deglobalisation and
of a revolt. Taking a leaf from the 82-year-old decarbonisation. Covid-19 has
MANOJ JOSHI
Maratha strongman’s playbook, his nephew DISTINGUISHED FELLOW, OBSERVER revealed the importance of
Ajit Pawar engineered a split in the Nationalist Con- RESEARCH FOUNDATION, NEW DELHI reshoring and onshoring man-

U
gress Party (NCP) to become the Deputy Chief Minister ufacturing and creating sup-
in the Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government. S Treasury Secre- ply chain resilience. Since
Ajit’s opportunism has rattled not only the Pawar-head- tary Janet Yellen is 2018, the US has steadily
ed NCP but also the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance visiting Beijing increased restrictions on
comprising the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena fac- this week as part of exports to China and made it
tion, the NCP and the Congress. America’s efforts clear that its aim is to hobble
Pawar, who had quit the Congress after the party to ratchet down tensions with the Chinese technological
leadership dashed his prime ministerial hopes in the China. US Secretary of State progress in certain key areas.
1990s, faces the onerous task of pulling the NCP out of Antony Blinken’s visit to China Now, through its Inflation
last month saw both sides seeing Reduction Act, the Bipartisan
this crisis. Putting on a brave face, he has stated that
‘progress’ in stabilising ties. Infrastructure Law, and the
‘some of our people fell prey to the BJP’s tactics to
Meanwhile, Chinese Premier Li Chips and Science Act, the US
break other parties.’ He has stressed the need to fight Qiang’s tour of Europe two has got into the subsidy and
forces that are creating a communal divide. Reasserting weeks ago was seen as a charm incentive game in a big way.
his authority, Pawar has sacked NCP working president OUTREACH: US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen (right) met Chinese Vice Premier Liu He in Switzerland in January. REUTERS
offensive of sorts. Geopolitics is The EU, conscious of its
Praful Patel and Lok Sabha MP Sunil Tatkare. in a dynamic phase, though no dependence on both the US
The developments in Maharashtra have serious one can see where it is headed. announced charges against Chi- sustainable military support to and China, is making its own
implications for the national Opposition, which is trying The US has felt the need to na-based chemical manufactur- Ukraine for as long as it takes.” efforts for ‘green and digital
to regroup in view of the 2024 General Election. Pawar’s cool the situation and prevent ing companies and the arrest of On China, the council reiter- transitions’. Indeed, the Euro-
efforts to forge a viable anti-BJP front along with the things from getting out of con- two executives involved in fen- ated its 2019 formulation of Chi- peans who now have much less
Congress, AAP, Trinamool Congress and other parties trol. With its economy stalling, tanyl manufacturing. The Chi- na as a simultaneous partner, financial power than the US,
will be undermined if he fails to prevent his own party Beijing needs to reduce geopo- nese said this was yet another competitor and systemic rival. fear that American subsidies
from falling apart. The BJP has emerged stronger in litical tensions with Washing- example of US ‘long-arm juris- It said that EU and China had a could negatively affect them.
ton. It has reached out to US diction and bullyism’. shared interest in pursuing Meanwhile, they have made it
Maharashtra, which sends 48 MPs (the second high-
corporate leaders such as Jamie Premier Li Qiang’s visit to ‘constructive and stable rela- clear that barring some restric-
est after Uttar Pradesh) to the Lok Sabha and will
Dimon (JP Morgan), Elon Musk Germany and France was a tions’ and they would cooper- tions, it will be business as
also witness Assembly elections next year. Even as a (Tesla) and Bill Gates, who met clear indication that Beijing ate in tackling global chal- usual with China.
legal battle over the NCP split seems inevitable, the President Xi Jinping recently. would adopt a two-track policy With its economy lenges like climate change, As for China, it remains a
Opposition parties need to introspect about how the In the middle of all this, the with Europe — improving busi- biodiversity, health, pandemic leader in several technology
BJP repeatedly manages to exploit their weakness- European Union is carving out ness relations and climate
stalling, Beijing needs preparedness, debt relief and areas, especially in solar and
es. The focus must be on the bigger battle — the par- a policy of ‘de-risking’ even as cooperation, and seeking to to reduce geopolitical humanitarian assistance. battery manufacture, and it
liamentary election. Much will depend on how the it seeks to maintain healthy play down issues of concern But, even while the EU sought holds important trump cards
wily Pawar tackles the current challenge in the twi- economic ties with Beijing. such as China’s approach to tensions with to reduce critical dependencies like rare earths. It is aiming to
light of his rollercoaster political career. Shortly after Blinken’s the Ukraine war. Washington. and de-risk, it had no intention alter Europe’s automotive
return, it was reported that But the Europeans are also of decoupling. At the same time, landscape by its electrical cars
the US may further tighten playing their version of hardball. the document laid out the EU’s as EU phases out petrol and
chip exports to China and that Even as Li began his visit, the a key partner on global chal- unhappiness with China’s Russ- diesel vehicles by 2035, upend-

Violence in France
the Biden administration was EU Commission revealed its lenges such as climate change ian policy, as well as its actions in ing the dominance of Euro-
also considering restricting draft Economic Security Strate- and, as Ursula von der Leyen, South China Sea. pean manufacturers. This is
the lease of cloud services to gy, which calls for measures to the President of the European The European dilemma is pal- the end stage of a carefully
Spotlight on racial bias in policing Chinese companies. prohibit outbound investments Commission noted, for “the vast pable as it unfolds in a dynamic crafted strategy that goes back

T
Planned restrictions on out- deemed security risks. Besides majority of trade and economic economic landscape. Europe a quarter of a century.
HE widespread rioting in France following the bound investment to China this, the EU will tighten rules on relations with countries, and also remains dependent on the Unit- While Blinken may talk of
fatal shooting of Nahel M, a 17-year-old boy of are likely to be announced inbound investment screening, China, is business as usual.” ed States not just for its security, ‘intense competition’, this
after the Yellen visit. This is in and undertake more internal The European Council meet- but for technology, energy and vast reordering of the global
Algerian descent, during a police traffic check
keeping with the pattern of cooperation on export controls. ing, held on June 29-30, includ- capital, making a mockery of its economy seems set to unleash
in a Paris suburb has again exposed the coun-
the US announcing restric- China is not specially men- ed a dialogue with NATO Sec- claim to ‘strategic autonomy’. forces that may not be easy to
try’s acute social tensions. It has reignited tions on China just before or tioned, but it’s clear that China retary General Jens There has been a steady decline control. Getting the reindus-
allegations by impoverished and ethnically mixed urban after visits by its officials. and Russia are its main targets. Stoltenberg. The meeting dis- in European fortunes. In 2008, trialisation competition to
communities of police violence and systemic racism. Indeed, just days after The message put out by the EU cussed Ukraine and recon- the EU and US economies were stay within bounds is the chal-
According to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Blinken’s return, the US leadership is that China remains firmed its “readiness to provide roughly equal, but by 2022 the lenge of our times.
Human Rights, the shooting, caught on camera, is a
moment to seriously address the deep issues of racial dis- thought for the day
crimination in law enforcement. There were a record 13
such shootings last year in France and most of the victims We are not only all responsible for each other’s security. We are also responsible for each other’s welfare. — Kofi Annan
since 2017 have been of black or Arab origin. The deaths
have prompted demands for more accountability.
From Britain in 2011 to the US with the Black Lives
Matter movement born in 2013, many western govern-
ments have had to deal with race riots against the police.
A taboo subject for long, the French policing approach has
Felling of the twin Oppn parties must unite
letters to the editor
sion to the tune of crores of rupees has been
been criticised for favouring a disproportionate use of
force. The nationwide upheaval has put the spotlight back
on about why successive governments have been unable
gulmohars NCP leader Ajit Pawar joined the Eknath
Shinde-led Maharashtra government on
Sunday, deceiving his uncle Sharad Pawar.
detected in the recent past. Tax evaders have
opened offices in cities such as Ludhiana to
sell invoices for claiming input tax credit from
to reform an institution bound by powerful unions. Mina Surjit Singh According to reports, there were allegations the government. Besides, major tax revenue
The violence is also a reminder of the perceived of corruption against him and the only way sources such as liquor and fuel have been kept

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sense of injustice and abandonment in neighbourhoods HE International Financial Centre in Gurugram, the to get immunity from prosecution was to out of the GST ambit. Frequent changes in the
where most residents trace their origins to former Millennium City, towers way above the concrete jungle join hands with the BJP. The BJP used to GST Act even after six years of implementa-
French colonies. As he struggles to defuse tensions in surrounding it. Clearly visible from the bedroom win- say that it would end corruption and won’t tion have made it hard for small vendors to
the worst crisis for his leadership since the yellow vest dow of my son’s penthouse, it stands as a grim reminder of the spare any criminal, but it seems that many comply with the regulations and understand
protests in 2018, President Emmanuel Macron has rapid pace at which the city is losing its already depleted green criminals have joined the party. Whenever their tax obligations.
blamed social media for fuelling the unrest. Politically cover. The skyline provides no respite from the monstrous any political leader perceives a threat of WG CDR JS MINHAS (RETD), MOHALI
weakened, he’s under fire from the Left for neglecting spectacle of the never-ending growth of brick and mortar. being caught due to wrongdoings, he or she
the marginalised, while the Right wants him to crack
Happy to be back in our ‘green city’ Chandigarh after a joins the BJP. To end corruption and BJP’s Implement UCC
short stay in Gurugram, my mind went back to the time dictatorship, all parties have to come Refer to ‘PM’s push for UCC’; the pitch for
down harder on the rioters. His decision to not condone
when we had shifted into our house several years ago after together and fight the elections. the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) gets stronger
the police shooting is being seen as a necessary step to my husband retired. Opposite our home had stood two tall, TKR NOORI, HYDERABAD near any election, whether it’s for the Assem-
restore public order. The long legacy of governmental graceful gulmohar trees, resplendent in their fiery flam- bly or the Lok Sabha. The BJP must under-
neglect is the bigger obstacle. boyance. While their fragrant shade provided roadside ven- No solution to Manipur crisis stand that the UCC will be difficult to imple-
dors and the workforce relief from the sweltering summer Three local village volunteers were killed in ment as it deals with personal laws. The right
heat and pouring rain, they added to the verdant charm of fresh violence which broke out in Bishnupur to live according to one’s religious laws has
on this day...100 years ago our surroundings. Alongside the ‘flame of the forest’, district of Manipur. Political parties have been a cornerstone of the Indian system, par-
there was a variety of other glorious blossoming trees, pre- been visiting the state, but they haven’t ticularly for minorities, since Independence.
dominantly amaltas, neem and kachnar, among others, found any solution to end the crisis. Home One of the fundamental principles of democ-
whose cultural significance and medicinal properties are Minister Amit Shah held a meeting recently, racy is the presumption of equality of citizens
well recognised and valued in ayurveda. These beautiful but the situation is still the same. Just hold- before the law. Thus, if there is one criminal
lahore,wednesday, july 4, 1923 trees, festooned with nests, grew all across the neighbour- ing meetings is not enough; more needs to be code, there should ideally be one civil code
hood and morning walks were a delight in their midst. A done to resolve the issue. If Manipur is too. If PM Modi is serious about introducing
LAHORE MUNICIPAL RESIGNATIONS smorgasbord of birds populated their welcoming branches. indeed a part of India, PM Modi must break the UCC, he must adopt a principled stand
WE purposely refrained from commenting upon the letter Their happy chirping heralded another beautiful morning his silence on the violent conflict. against all religion-based laws.
(published in our issue of the 28th) from the Secretary to the and hailed the vibrant life of these trees. MD TAUQUEER ALAM, MUMBAI MS KHOKHAR, BY MAIL
Government of Punjab to the Commissioner, Lahore, regard- Then, the slow, indiscriminate axing of the twin trees
ing the resignations of the non-Muslim members of the began. The owner of the bungalow outside which these Upgrade technology HSRP plates
Lahore municipality, because we wanted the members con- beauties grew had no qualms about mercilessly lopping Refer to ‘Balasore tragedy’; the accident Refer to ‘HSRP relaxation period ends, cops
cerned to determine their attitude in regard to the suggested off the branches that overhung his terrace and obstruct- involving the collision of three trains is a to launch crackdown on offenders’; driving
withdrawal of their resignations without any outside pres- ed the sunlight during winters. By degrees, the trees were tragic reminder of the challenges that India vehicles without high-security registration
sure being brought to bear on them. The municipality Presi- brutally mutilated and they eventually disappeared alto- faces in modernising and expanding its rail plates will now invite hefty fines in Punjab.
dent, who did seem to be in the know, definitely told the gether. We rued their loss till the day our grandson services. Now that the Commissioner of Rail- However, many residents must have been
members in a general meeting of the committee itself that brought back a sapling from school as part of an ecologi- way Safety’s ‘internal’ inquiry report has unaware of the June 30 deadline for
the proposals of the ministry were final and not open to dis- cal awareness programme. We then planted it lovingly in pointed to human error on the part of the installing these plates. The Punjab Govern-
cussion by the committee; and that seemed to be the correct place of the twin gulmohars, hoping that it would survive staff concerned, it has become important ment informs the public about its achieve-
view of the question, because there was no point in asking the the messy construction work which began when the own- that a case be made for exemplary action ments through big advertisements in news-
committee to divide the municipal area into election wards so er decided to add a floor to his house. against the persons responsible for the error. papers and on TV, besides roadside
long as the distribution of seats between various communi- Some years thereafter, the person who had inherited the Further, upgrading technology to interna- hoardings. It should do the same with such
ties was not finally decided upon. Nor did the minister think property, moved in. He seemed to have an apathy to trees tional standards is crucial for ensuring safe deadlines. The government must utilise var-
it necessary to consult the committee or any public body that grew around his boundary wall and decided to chop off rail travel for passengers. ious communication channels to reach a
before framing his proposals. To say that the members should their limbs. Despite our protests, he carried out his task till VIRENDER SHARMA, SHIMLA wide audience. The last date should be
withdraw their protest and return to the committee in order all that was left of it was a diminished canopy and a stubbed extended again. Besides, minimising
to consider these so-called draft proposals is absurd, especial- trunk, which at present supports a mesh of telephone and Tax evasion detected queues and streamlining administrative
ly after the casting vote of the President has already placed cable wires. The twisted, disfigured amaltas and kachnar Refer to ‘Six years of GST’; the GST system processes are crucial for creating a more effi-
on record what purports to be the opinion of the municipali- have now lost their dazzling glory. Gulmohars are a rare has no doubt increased the revenue of the cient and citizen-centric system.
ty on the subject. The resigning members can very well sight. The sparrows have all gone, we miss their twitter at Central and state governments, but tax eva- HIRA SHARMA, BY MAIL
express their opinions without withdrawing their resigna- dawn, and Dilip Chitre’s prophetic lines keep ringing in
tions; and if the minister becomes more amenable to reason, my ears: ‘Trees are sacred, my grandmother used to Letters to the Editor, typed in double space, should not exceed the 200-word limit.
they can get themselves re-elected. say/Felling them is a crime….’ These should be cogently written and can be sent by e-mail to: Letters@tribunemail.com
THE TRIBUNE CHANDIGARH | TUESDAY | 4 JULY 2023
OPED 07

Security implications of Manipur mayhem


surreptitiously supported which runs parallel to and and Assam Rifles personnel
by politicians, bureaucrats just along the Indo-Myan- who operated in delineated
and a section of the local mar border, has witnessed distinct areas with action-
police. This backing forms a cross-border attacks on able intelligence.
vicious cocktail along with Assam Rifles posts by The present situation has
the blatant use of women’s Myanmar-based groups seen the large-scale deploy-
social groups — the ‘Meira either supporting the drug ment of not only the Army
MAJ GEN AMRIT PAL SINGH (RETD) Paibis’ — that oppose the trade or those waging a but also almost 30,000 Cen-
MILITARY COMMENTATOR enforcement of law and war against the Myan- tral police forces such as

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order and have been at the marese army. the CRPF and state reserve
HE volatile situa- forefront of the blockading The threat of forces inimi- police battalions. The
tion in Manipur is operations against the secu- cal to India is exacerbated deployment has been incre-
dominated by rity forces. The Meira Paibis by the redeployment and mental, with troops being
several narra- (women torchbearers), also thinning out from the bor- rushed to trouble spots,
tives, ranging known as Emas or ‘mothers der of the Assam Rifles to and lacks basic coordina-
from ethnic cleansing to nar- of Manipur’, belong to the the present conflict areas tion, as is obvious by the
co-terror and the Christian- majority Meitei community around the Imphal valley. persistence of arson and
Hindu conflict. However, the and use a mix of activism The primary task of the killing. The paramilitary
fact remains that sponsoring and vigilante tactics. Army is to guard the north- sub-units have been
mercenaries or armed On June 24, the Army had ern borders with China. The deployed in widely separat-
groups on the basis of ethnic- to release 12 captured terror- PREVENTIVE STEP: A large number of security personnel have been deployed in the trouble spots. ANI focus has to be on matching ed posts and have little or
or region-based loyalties is a ists of the Kanglei Yawol the Chinese build-up to be no coordination, leadership
self-destructive exercise. Kanna Lup, an outfit banned inhabit the hills, are basical- small quantities to the larg- able to thwart incursions. or intelligence to operate
In early June, 3,000-5,000 by the National Investiga- ly a stock of hunters and er drug syndicates — most- Such a deployment in and they simply occupy the
sophisticated weapons, tion Agency, including the have always carried hunting ly run by politicians and val- Ladakh has resulted in some post with little area domi-
including mortars, AK-47s mastermind of the ambush rifles; they are expert in jun- ley-based groups. Due to the sort of stalemate due to the nation, which is so vital to
and sniper rifles, and vast of 6 Dogra in which 18 sol- gle craft and laying traps for proximity to the infamous presence of trained and well- prevent arson or clashes
amounts of ammunition diers were killed in 2015. The hunting around their vil- Golden Triangle and the prepared Indian troops. The between armed groups.
were looted from the release took place after a lages. There are reports fact that the Myanmar junta retrograde deployment of Security forces were initial-
armouries of the local police mob of 1,200-1,500 people, from the ground which indi- is using opium production the Army for internal securi- ly rushed to trouble spots in a
and reserve battalions in led by women, surrounded cate that the attacks on and sale as a means to aug- ty duties is not without bid to increase deterrence to
and around Imphal by the target area and obstruct- Kuki villages in the hills ment its income as interna- adverse implications in the violence. It is now imperative
mobs. The state security ed the operation. surrounding Imphal were tional support for the nation Arunachal sector. that these forces be organ-
apparatus, responsible for The blockading of Army led by mobs with women in has dried up, combating The Manipur mayhem is ised into clearly delineated
safeguarding the armouries, and Assam Rifles in the val- the first attacking tier, close- drug trafficking is a major apparently politically spon- AORs, which they must
did not offer much resist- ley areas of the state by ly followed by armed fight- security challenge. sored, going by the loot of dominate in a coordinated
ance. The attack and looting women has been a major ers who use this screen and The border is extremely state-owned arms and manner under a unified lead-
fit the bill of a well-planned challenge. The Spear Corps close in to cause destruction porous due to the difficult hill ammunition; it has resulted ership. A unified leadership
operation with support from has since released a state- and death. The presence of The situation can and jungle terrain, which is in the Army being confined is not practical, with the state
those responsible for local ment requesting women police commandos in the exploited by drug traffickers to the area for law and order government forces being
security and law and order and civilians not to obstruct attacking mobs, who have rapidly go out of and smugglers and not just duties, akin to the AFSPA used independently and the
in the Imphal valley, which its response to relief and res- suffered casualties in the hand if political the Kukis in the hills. The era. The advantage of the Central security and para-
is dominated by the Meiteis. cue operations of the securi- exchange of fire, points to valley-based groups have a AFSPA, which was with- military forces operating in
This is tantamount to rais- ty forces. Clearly, the Army sponsored violence. considerations significant stake in the drug drawn from Manipur in pockets of deployment. The
ing and arming a group of
fighters with state-owned
has to find ways of blunting
the sensitivity of engaging
After extortion, the drug
business is the second
obstruct the trade. Claims of the current
state leadership seem parti-
March 2023, was that no
insurgent or terror group
security situation
Manipur can rapidly go out
in

arms and ammunition. women obstructionists by major source of income for deployment of san when hill tribes are tar- was given a free rein in the of hand if political considera-
Meitei terror groups have a integrating women police. valley-based terror groups. geted in the name of waging Areas of Responsibility tions dominate and obstruct
history of violence and a The Kukis and Naga Kuki villages grow opium
security forces. a war on narco-terror. (AoRs), which were effec- the effective deployment of
secessionist agenda which is tribes, which typically and some of them also sell The Friendship Road, tively manned by the Army security forces.

Gender perspective of the UCC matrix amid politics


These are, conversely, the mobilisation has begun. would seek a secular law
very issues that have However, the fact that the enhancing women’s
played out during the rule UCC baits the Muslim cler- rights are now deeply sus-
of Prime Minister Naren- gy and sections of the com- picious of the BJP’s
dra Modi. So, now that he munity makes it useful to motives. Therefore, pro-
has spoken of the UCC, it create an ‘Us-vs-Them’ nar- gressive women’s groups
will presumably be the big rative before a General Elec- are increasingly support-
issue going into the 2024 tion. This also comes at a ing reforms within com-
SABA NAQVI
General Election. time when there has been munities and stressing on
SENIOR JOURNALIST
In terms of political narra- commentary about Hindut- maintaining diversity of

T
tives, the idea of uniting the va issues not working elec- customs and laws in a
HERE can be lit- country under a common torally. Presumably, the large country. Those who
tle debate over law gels with the mega pro- BJP/RSS would like a once supported the UCC
religious person- jection of Modi as he seeks a replay of the events of the from the gender perspec-
al laws being third term as PM. It is a 1980s. The BJP had no trac- tive are now wary of it
discriminatory good issue for the BJP to tion till the Shah Bano judg- being just a stick for a
towards women. Therefore, pick up and would motivate ment of 1985, when the then majoritarian regime to
many men and women may cadres and were he to Chief Justice, YV Chandra- beat Muslims with.
support the idea of a Uni- implement it, make Modi chud, father of the current Politically, however, what
form Civil Code in principle the biggest Hindutva icon. Chief Justice, granted Shah would be significant is
because in a civilised socie- Yet, the UCC is a complex COMPLEX: The Uniform Civil Code has many shades of grey. PTI Bano, a Muslim divorcee, whether the Muslim cler-
ty, women must have equal issue and would impact maintenance in perpetuity gy would take the bait that
right in marriage, inheri- many communities, includ- sion had concluded that are registered under the from her husband. is being dangled before it.
tance, divorce, maintenance ing tribal groups, such as reforms should take place in Hindu Marriage Act. In This had the Muslim cler- Would it respond in the
and custody of children. Yet, Mizos and Nagas in the the family laws of various February, the Supreme gy in a rage and it prevailed same manner as it did
given the politics of the day, North-East and Adivasis in communities and the UCC Court agreed to hear a PIL on the then Prime Minister after the Shah Bano judg-
there is deep scepticism Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh was, therefore, not ‘neces- seeking directions to states Rajiv Gandhi to overturn ment or would it be
about the BJP pushing for and Chhattisgarh who are sary nor desirable’. But last to frame rules for the regis- the judgment through a restrained, knowing that
the UCC, nine months governed by customary laws. month, the 22nd Law Com- tration of Sikh marriages regressive law, named the the community today
before the General Election. In some pockets of the coun- mission began actively under the Anand Marriage Muslim Women (Protection faces greater threats to life
For the ideologically-driven try, thus, the UCC can be seeking the views of reli- Act of 1909. of Rights on Divorce) Act, and livelihood?
BJP and Sangh Parivar, the counterproductive. gious groups and the public The Shiromani Akali Dal in 1986. Suddenly, the BJP Indeed, beyond shouting
UCC is an article of faith along There are reservations on the UCC, and, presum- has always flagged the issue had an issue: the ‘pander- and, in the process, perpetu-
with the abolition of Article beyond those in the Muslim ably, it would speed up the Those who once and though the BJP has been ing’ to Muslim males (nev- ating the image of the
370 (done in 2019) and the con- community, partly because process now that the PM has making attempts to patch up er mind the injustice to regressive Muslim male,
struction of the Ram temple no one really knows what a publicly declared support supported the UCC with its former ally, the Akalis women) by the Congress. there is little else the clergy
at Ayodhya (almost complet- uniform law would be as it for a uniform code. have strongly opposed the Now, 37 years later, the can do since the Modi
ed). These are the three issues has not been debated as vari- Yet, it’s a complex matrix.
from the gender UCC. Punjab’s ruling party, issue has come full circle regime is unlikely to listen to
that were kept out of the com- ous articles of the Constitu- There are, for instance, perspective are now the AAP has, intriguingly, sup- with Modi actually being in it. All opponents must
mon minimum programme tion were in the Constituent questions within the Sikh ported the UCC ‘in principle’. a position to bringing about remember that the UCC has
that the BJP would hammer Assembly. The UCC is men- community as well: Sikh wary of it being just On July 2, a Sikh Personal the UCC. multiple nuances, but the
out with allies during the era tioned in the Directive Princi- marriages should be regis- a stick to beat Law Board was set up on the What’s changed since BJP has in the past been
of coalition governments led ples of the Constitution. tered under a separate mar- lines of the Muslim Personal then, however, is that the able to create black-vs-white
by the then Prime Minister Also significant is the fact riage Act, but many states Muslims with. Law Board in order to oppose very same liberal mod- narratives out of issues that
Atal Bihari Vajpayee. that the 21st Law Commis- have not notified it, so they the UCC. So, the counter- ernists, who, in principle, had many shades of grey.

quick crossword su do ku forecast


YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION
ACROSS DOWN SUNSET: TUESDAY 19:28 HRS
1
4
Physical strength (6)
Virtually (2,4,2)
1
2
Stately (8)
Concisely expressed (8)
4 1 2 4
7
6
1
2
5
5
2
9
8
3
6
7
9
8
3
1
4
SUNRISE:
CITY
WEDNESDAY
MAX
05:26 HRS
MIN
9 Wild doglike scavenger (6) 3 To idle (4)
10
12
Unsophisticated (8)
Meet the needs of (4)
5
6
A boost (4,2,3,3)
Frank and communicative (4)
7 8 5 8
1
3
4
9
8
1
3
4
2
7
5
5
6
6
7
2
9
Chandigarh
New Delhi
34
35
27
27
13
14
To discolour (5)
Rise from sleep (4)
7
8
Second in command (6)
Various (6) 9 7 1 6
9
2
5
3
7
7
8
1
6
9
4
8
1
4
2
5
3
Amritsar
Bathinda
38
38
30
29
17 Disable (12) 11 Shopkeeper’s goods for
3 7 1 6 5 2 4 9 8
3 2 9
20 Prompt feelings of sale (5-2-5) Jalandhar 37 30
empathy (6,1,5) 15 A sudden outpouring (5) 5 9 6 4 3 8 2 1 7 Ludhiana 37 28
23 Supporter in a cause (4) 16 Unable to proceed (5) 2 8 4 9 7 1 3 5 6 Bhiwani 38 28
24
25
Look fixedly (5)
Rind (4)
18
19
Betoken (8)
Great adulation (8)
6 calendar
Hisar 40 29
28 Inadvertent revelation (8) 21 An emotional inhibition (4-2) Sirsa 41 31
29
30
Arrange in detail (3,3)
Analogous (8)
22
26
Ingenious (6)
Greet by calling (4)
8 2 5 JULY 4, 2023, TUESDAY Dharamsala 28 18
■ Shaka Samvat 1945 Manali 27 15
4 2 1
31 Of one’s own accord (6) 27 Wild animal’s den (4)
■ Aashadh Shaka 13 Shimla 24 16
YESTERDAY’S sOLUTION ■ Aashadh Parvishte 20 Srinagar 32 18
Across: 1 Afoot, 4 Lyrical, 8 Con, 9 Poke fun at, 10
Scandal, 11 Grasp, 13 Dearth, 15 Hebrew, 18 False, 19 9 5 3 ■ Hijari 1444
■ Krishna Paksha Tithi 1, up to 1.39 pm
Jammu
Kargil
36
27
27
13
Smuggle, 21 Up to snuff, 23 Rut, 24 Expense, 25 Taste.
Down: 1 Accused, 2 Of no avail, 3 Tepid, 4 Likely, 5 Refugee,
6 Can, 7 Let up, 12 As regards, 14 Treason, 16 Wrestle, 17
8 4 1 ■ Indra Yoga up to 11.49 am

■ Purvashadha Nakshatra up to 8.25 am


Leh
Dehradun
25
34
13
24
Assume, 18 Fluke, 20 Unfit, 22 Tap. ■ Moon enters Capricorn sign 1.44 pm Mussoorie 23 19
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3DZDUHOHYDWHG6XSUL\D6XOHDQG3UDIXO3DWHOJLYLQJWKHPPRUHUHVSRQVLELOLWLHVDQG nessed the establish-
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DVVRFLDWLRQZLWKWKH1&3KDVEHHQPDUNHGE\ERWKDFKLHYHPHQWVDQGFRQWURYHU demonstration of our civilisation-
VLHV+HLVNQRZQIRUKLVDVWXWHSROLWLFDOVWUDWHJLHVDQGDGPLQLVWUDWLYHDFXPHQZKLFK al journey and re-discovering
HDUQHGKLPWKHUHSXWDWLRQRIEHLQJDNH\WURXEOHVKRRW the ancient tradition once prac-
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bol of power, or lustre that is
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7KHSDUW\KDVKLVWRULFDOO\ZLWQHVVHGIDFWLRQDOLVPZLWK Saint Tiruvalluvar, in his timeless
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HUDEOHHPEDUUDVVPHQWWRWKH1&3IRUFLQJLWWRIRUPDQDOOLDQFHZLWKWKH6KLY6HQD essential for the state. The estab- elation at the beginning of cre- ing that “if the Smriti writers quite reasonable to accept that
DQGWKH&RQJUHVVWRUHFODLPSRZHULQ0DKDUDVKWUD7KHPRYHKDVQRWRQO\GLYLGHG lishment was a moment of joy, ation.’ This revelation was knew a certain action that knowledge of Sruti texts is
RSLQLRQVZLWKLQWKH1&3EXWKDVDOVRUDLVHGFRQFHUQVDPRQJLWVDOOLDQFHSDUWQHUV pleasure, and pride for most of us. ‘seen’ by the primaeval seers; should not be done, how could remembered, while certain
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people sought the justification of Sruti (Van Buitenen, 1974. provides the necessary founda- Smritis are derived from Vedic
SDUW\PXVWUHFRQFLOHWKHGLIIHULQJIDFWLRQVDQGSUHVHQWDXQLWHGIURQWWRHIIHFWLYHO\ this entire ceremony. To under- Revelation is the inner visual- tion for Smriti writers to cod- texts now forgotten or inacces-
DGGUHVVWKHLVVXHVIDFLQJ0DKDUDVKWUD7KHFUHGLELOLW\DQGUHSXWDWLRQRIWKH1&3DV stand the significance of Sengol, isation of the true nature of ify some acts. But such mem- sible to us currently. In this
ZHOODVLWVDOOLDQFHSDUWQHUVDUHDWVWDNHDQGLWLVFUXFLDOIRUWKHPWRDFWSUXGHQWO\ it is necessary to sweep over the various entities and their ory is also not possible in the way, Smriti, through infer-
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One of the distinctive features this revelation through a pro- ception. The Smritis cannot be valid knowledge.
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dissemination of knowledge for
almost five thousand years at least.
sanskara). Sruti statements are
considered infallible and hence 8=382CA038C8>= because memory demands
previous cognition or experi-
thus, are valid sources of
knowledge in the Indian cul-
India bestows utmost impor-
tance on knowledge, and that is
are authoritative.
In his book ‘Freedom at
0224?CBB<A8C8 ence. Continual of some sort
of cultural memory also does
ture. Amidst the looming con-
troversies surrounding the tra-
?82D1<; why India is known as a ‘knowl- Midnight’, Dominique 0BA4;801;4 not authenticate them. On dition of ‘Sengol’, its cultural
edge culture’. This knowledge
tradition is beyond the bound-
Lapierre and Larry Collins
remind us of the above-men- 10B43>= the other side, the memory of
the Vedas is not authenticated
validity can be significantly
proven through the institu-
aries of any spatiotemporal rela-
tionship (desatita and kalatita) as
tioned ritual that happened at
sundown on 14th August 1947
8=54A4=24 merely by its unbroken tradi-
tion but by the fact that the
tional memory that rests with
the Adheenams of Tamil
well as continuous (nirantara). in Delhi. This pious ritual 0=D<0=0 Vedas are perceptible to us Nadu. In the present context,
The entire outlook of Indian
knowledge tradition is an inter-
ended with chanting 11 vers-
es of Kolaru Pathigam - a F78278B0E0;83 during its recitation. In the case
of Smriti , no such prior cog-
the tradition of handing over
Sengol as a symbolic transfer
play of Sruti and Smriti. There is
a very intricate relationship
Tamil text – to instil good
thoughts in mind.
B>DA24>5 nition is available to support
their theories and practices.
of power is an inalienable cul-
tural embodiment of the Sruti-
between Sruti and the Smriti. The Indian philosophical tradi- :=>F;4364 Indian tradition accepts Smriti tradition of ancient
Brihaspati Smriti perceives these tion accepts Sruti as the only Smriti as reliable based on India. Its reiteration in mod-
two as the two eyes for the men means of Dharma. Sruti as well inference (anumana) which is ern India and symbolic place-
of wisdom and deprived of these as Smriti are regarded as valid a valid source of knowledge. ment in the new Indian parlia-
two, one may lose their path and means of knowledge. Sruti The reason behind such infer- ment signifies the cultural
fall. provides a firm foundation for ence is the fact that ‘the agent awakening and echoes the
Since the Vedas are transmit- all knowledge traditions, and is the same’, i.e., the author of civilisational idioms in the
ted orally and are perceptible to practices. Regarding the valid- the concerned Smriti and the 21st century.
the auditory sense, it is termed ity of Smritis, the Mimamsa performer of the acts pre- (The author is member
Sruti. It means ‘learning by hear- School of philosophy presents scribed by the Sruti are the Secretary IGNCA)

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T
he pressure to address
burnout in workplaces
became so intense in
based HR strategies, HR
departments can play a piv-
otal role in fostering a culture
analysing the collected data,
HR departments can identi-
fy patterns and implement
Like America, gun attacks by police on
locals had been reported frequently. No
doubt, arms are the instrument of Policing,
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2019 that the WHO had to of well-being, cultivating targeted interventions to mit- but police must remember that it is for pub- X]VXcbT[UX]cWTVaX_^UTgcaT\T]PcX^]P[Xb\^a \X]^aXcXTb Q[PRZb P]S cWT _^^a PaT eXTfTS
announce it as an occupation- employee engagement and igate burnout factors. lic safety not for taking public life. Mr UPaaXVWcXST^[^VhFWX[T8QT[XTeTcWPc]^c^][h fXcWWPcaTSQhcWTbTR^]bTaePcXeTb3dTc^cWXb
al phenomenon. According to promoting work-life balance. Employee Well-being: A vital Marcon, must immediately abide by the 4da^_TQdcP[b^B^dcWP]S=^acW0\TaXRPPaT cWTbXcdPcX^]^UR^]U[XRcXbR^]cX]d^db[hQTX]V
a recent survey conducted by Technology for Flexibility: aspect of employee well-being strict measures with respect to arms laws ]^c PQ[T c^ bT_PaPcT cWT\bT[eTb Ua^\ cWTbT RaTPcTSX]cWTb^RXTcXTbcWTaT
MPower, an initiative by The Flexibility is the key to is feeling recognised and val- and regulations, and ensure that such peo- R^]bTaePcXeTcW^dVWcbCWTU^a\TaCad\_V^e 9P]V1PWPSdaBX]VW | 9P\bWTS_da
Aditya Birla Education Trust, unlocking the potential of ued for their contributions. ple unrest will settle down as soon as pos-
it was found that approxi- employees. Offering employ- HR tech tools that facilitate sible. France which is burning for a week
mately 48% of corporate ees flexible timings and loca- regular performance evalua- of chaos must settle peace and tranquilli- allowing for specific provisions or exemp- zens also. There are also girl children whose
employees are grappling with micromanaging executives tions of work gives them a tions and constructive feed- ty on an urgent basis. We hope that the tions within the UCC framework that take ticket value is 50 per cent of the fare up to
mental health concerns due to are additional factors that sense of autonomy to be pro- back can help employees French Republic will soon return to nor- into account the unique needs and beliefs a certain age. If the ticket value of girl chil-
work-related stress. make employees feel extreme ductive on their terms and understand their strengths malcy with peace all around. of the tribal communities. dren who were supposed to pay 50 per cent
Employee burnout is hap- stress and insecurity. Modern manage commitments better. and areas for improvement Kirti Wadhawan | Kanpur In conclusion, the concerns r, inclusiv- of the fare and if the ticket value of senior
pening in modern workplaces workplaces have introduced Installing HRM solutions that and align their goals with ity, and a commitment to preserving cul- woman citizens who were supposed to pay
that are increasingly fast- digital and virtual work mod- may include mobile apps or organisational objectives. B5C9CD1>351719>CDE33 tural diversity, we can strive towards a 75 per cent of the bus fare is calculated at
paced and demanding. els that have added productiv- platforms that allow employ- Well-Being As Work Sir — Why Uniform Civil Code is facing Uniform Civil Code that respects and the value applicable to all, the loss is shown
Additionally, ever-evolving ity paranoia in employees. ees to set their availability, Culture: Employee well-being resistance among tribals in Chhattisgarh. upholds the rights and traditions of all at an inflated value. This is wrong. The data
technology has blurred the Post-pandemic work modules request time off, or even should be non-negotiable as While Prime Minister Narendra communities in our great nation. showing the loss on account of free-trav-
line between work and life. do provide freedom while swap shifts with colleagues they are the base of every Modi's recent speech in Madhya Pradesh Md Maimul Islam Safui | Howrah el concession to women will be flawed and
However, technology has working but also cause digi- seamlessly. By enabling flex- organisational growth and advocating for the UCC has sparked a heat- the public are fooled by the fudged data
a bright side too. Now, organ- tal fatigue. Microsoft Work ible work arrangements, success in the market. To fos- ed debate nationwide, it is crucial to con- B5@?BD9>7?><?CC=ECD25133EB1D5 related to loss reporting.
isations recognise the threat Trends report in the year organisations can help ter collective resilience, organ- sider the unique cultural and traditional Sir — Free travel to women is one of the The ruling party wants to show the
of employee burnout, they are 2022 highlighted the number employees achieve a better isations have a responsibility practices of the tribal people in five guarantees promised and implement- inflated figure to create an impression that
turning towards tech-based of weekly online meetings work-life balance, reducing to support employees in tran- Chhattisgarh. Chief Minister Baghel right- ed in Karnataka. Reports on loss due to free it has helped the people more than it has
Human Resource strategies to had increased by 153%. the risk of burnout. sitioning from fear to a more fully questions the predominantly Hindu- travel facility allowed must be accurate or actually helped. It is a different issue that
address the challenge of keep- Overwork, strict dead- Assess Their Engagement: empowered mindset. By Muslim perspective often associated with at least must be nearer to accuracy. The the cost of goods and services in other gov-
ing the workplace momen- lines, and undue expecta- Organisations can regularly implementing HR tech solu- the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and rais- conductor of the state-owned bus issues ernment sectors has been hiked to offset
tum in tune. tions cause physical and men- assess the performance, satis- tions that prioritise well- es concerns about the implications for the tickets to women with zero value. the losses on account of the freebies given
Beyond the Cubicles: In tal burnout. Lack of work-life faction and engagement of being, and offer long-term tribal communities. There is also a purpose in issuing zero- to the people. The government is making
2022, Mckinsey Survey balance has resulted in unen- employees to counter the strategies to address employ- Any attempt to implement the UCC value ticket to ascertain the loss caused to more profits from the freebies given. It is
revealed that employees who gaged, unproductive, and issue of burnout. HR tech ee burnout, organisations can should be guided by the principles of pre- the Karnataka State Road Transport business. Freebies are the “investments” by
report experiencing high lev- demotivated employees. platforms can enable the reap significant benefits and serving the cultural heritage, customs, and Corporation (KSRTC). For the purpose of the government to earn profits.
els of toxic behaviour at work Tech-Based HR Solutions: deployment of employee sur- ensure the well-being and traditions of the tribal communities. It is calculation of loss, the ticket value for both KV Seetharamaiah | Bengaluru
are eight times more likely to Though, modern workplace veys and pulse check-ins to success of their workforce. crucial to ensure that the code respects their senior citizens and non-senior citizens can-
experience burnout symp- challenges require modern gather real-time feedback on (The writer is distinct identities and does not compromise not be the same because the bus fare was BT]Shh^daUUTTSQPRZcc^)
toms. Lack of leadership and solutions. By leveraging tech- employee experiences. By founder HROne) their way of life. This could be achieved by 25 per cent less for the senior woman citi- [TccTabc^_X^]TTa/V\PX[R^\
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ndia is poised to replace Chinese toys tage of Western efforts to diversify machinery encourage manufactur- niche in the market. There is a per-
with indigenous manufacturing from the world’s No 2 economy, says ers to produce innovative toys and ception that the imported are tech-
touching $ 1.5 billion. It is likely to an International Labour Organi- boost the market outlook. The ris- nologically better. Manufacturers
double to $ 3.3 billion by 2028, sation study. ing sales of smartphones, laptops, say that at initial stages the reactions
according to International Market India’s share in the global toy and personal computers (PCs), are normal but as the indigenous
Analysis Research and Consulting Group market, estimated at $90 billion, is along with the increasing influence products proliferate the percep-
(IMARC Group). India’s toy imports, 0.5 per cent ($500 million). The toy of social media, are propelling mar- tion would change.
according to official figures, have declined manufacturers are mostly located in ket growth. Manufacturers find that while
by more than 70 per cent in the past 3.5 NCR, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Amazon sold $ 6292 million they have started mainly plastic toys
years, while exports have jumped by 61.3 Tamil Nadu and clusters in some worth of toys, Walmart $ 4645 mil- as it is easier, they face different
per cent. It is expected to grow at a 12 per other states. lion and Target $ 1621 million kinds of problems. It is just not the
cent compound annual growth rate Chitrakoot in Uttar Pradesh, through e-commerce. India's import kind of metals and plastics but many
(CAGR). The world’s leading toymaker Kondapalli in Andhra Pradesh, of toys in the financial year 2018- toys need different kinds of textiles
Mattel recalled over 21 million Chinese- Tanjore dolls, Ghurni clay dolls, 2019 stood at $1.4 billion (Rs10,000 and other accessories. The ancillar-
6ZDU9LJ\DQSUDFWLWLRQHUVREVHUYHDQGDQDO\]HWKHVXEWOHFKDQJHV made toys worldwide in 2007 due to Rajasthani puppets and Chenna- crore). Almost 85 per cent of the ies are yet to come up. Some require
LQWKHIORZRIEUHDWKVXFKDVWKHGRPLQDQFHRIEUHDWKWKURXJKRQHQRV excessive levels of lead paint and other C748=380= patna on the Bengaluru-Mysuru toys 2020 sold in India are import- particular kinds of durable, light and
WULORYHUWKHRWKHUWKHGXUDWLRQRILQKDOHVDQGH[KDOHVDQGWKHVSHFLILF
unsafe components.
India first banned toy imports from
C>HB34B?8C4 highway have an age-old tradition
of toy making but are unable to keep
ed, with China being the top source,
followed by Sri Lanka, Malaysia,
special fabric. That too is not local-
ly available. China has also advanced
TXDOLWLHVDVVRFLDWHGZLWKHDFKQRVWULO
VEUHDWKIORZ7KHVHREVHUYDWLRQV China mainly for its toxicity on 23 Jan 2009 148=6;4BB up with modern scale and trends. Germany, Hong Kong and the US. the low-cost electronics industry.
DUHEHOLHYHGWRSURYLGHLQVLJKWVLQWRWKHVWDWHRIRQH
VSK\VLFDOPHQWDO but again eased it on 6 March 2009. The The traditional craft is protected as A large variety of toys are avail- However, they are expecting
DQGHPRWLRQDOZHOOEHLQJ Narendra Modi government has put restric- 4G?4=B8E40A4 a geographical indication (GI) able within the Indian market, they more government support for ban-
%\XQGHUVWDQGLQJDQGZRUNLQJZLWKWKHQDWXUDOUK\WKPRIEUHDWK tions again on September 1, 2017.
Despite all this as per WTO norms a
BD??>B43;H>5 under the World Trade
Organization. These are in demand
can be broadly classified into two
very distinct categories based on
ning imports to sustain production.
A KPMG-FICCI report is hopeful
6ZDU9LJ\DQSUDFWLWLRQHUVDLPWRKDUPRQL]HWKHIORZRIHQHUJ\LQWKH
ERG\HQKDQFHSK\VLFDOKHDOWKEDODQFHHPRWLRQVLPSURYHPHQWDOIRFXV complete ban on toy imports is unlikely. 14CC4A@D0;8CH in the West as exquisite pieces of art. their application & purpose - edu- that the country’s market size would
A new government initiative promis- India's domestic toy industry com- cational and recreational toys. be doubling to $ 2 billion shortly.
DQGDFKLHYHVSLULWXDOJURZWKUHJDUGLQJWKHILQHUDVSHFWVRIWKHWKHRU\ es to help Indian toymakers scale up pro- 0=370E4H4C prises 4,000 micro, small and medi- Amongst these two categories, Electronic toys comprise about ten
DQGSUDFWLFHO7KHSK\VLFDODFWRIEUHDWKLQJLVVDLGWRKDYHDYHU\VXE
WOHLQIOXHQFHRQWKHOHYHORIFRQVFLRXVQHVVDQGWKHUHIRUHWKHHIIHFWVRI
duction capacity to compete internation-
ally, further shrinking China’s share in the
C>20AE4>DC0 um enterprises (MSMEs) and is pri-
marily in the unorganized sector.
under educational toys various toys
and games made out of plastics and
per cent of the toy segment, it is
hoped that even without them the
VZDUD\RJDDUHDOVRYHU\VXEWOH,WDLPVDWGLUHFWO\DZDNHQLQJWKHKLJK domestic market. The government is con- =82748=C74 The increasing population catal- cardboard materials are promi- rest of the segment would grow and
HVWKXPDQSRWHQWLDO,QRWKHUV\VWHPVDVLPLODUXQGHUVWDQGLQJRIWKH sidering a special scheme for the toy yses the demand for toys. In addi- nent, while recreational toys, includ- gradually critical areas would also
6ZDUDRIWKHEUHDWKLVDOVRH[SUHVVHG industry, according to Ajay Aggarwal, <0A:4C tion, inflating income levels and the ing electronic toys - remote controls, be covered.
president of the Toy Association of India. rising awareness among individu- video games, battery operated toys, The Ministry of Commerce
6ZDUD\RJDQRWRQO\KHOSVWKRVHZKREHOLHYHLQDVXSUHPHUHDOLW\ It is likely to be a production-linked incen- als about the benefits of toys in cars, plastic toys, dolls, soft toys and and Industry is trying to understand
EXWDOVRWKRVHZKRGRQRWKDYHIDLWKDQGZKRZLOODOVREHVXUSULVHGWR tive. It will spur the activities of the toy improving the cognitive capabilities mechanical pull back toys are not the dynamics and shortcomings. It
GLVFRYHUPDQ\WUXWKVDERXWWKLVUHDOLW\6ZDUD\RJDLVDSDWKWKDWOHDGV industry. of children are positively influenc- popular amongst modern parents. is also looking at the experience of
WRWRWDOH[SHULHQFHDQGDZDNHQLQJRIWKHHQWLUHEHLQJ India is home to 25 per cent of the ing the market in the country. However, out of all of these toys, other countries. It is working with
7KHDOLJQPHQWRIWKHVZDUDRUEUHDWKLVGRQHDFFRUGLQJWRWKHGD\ world’s children aged between 0 and 12 Apart from this, a shifting prefer- electronic toys & games as well as the Toy Association of India.
DQG+LQGLFDOHQGDU,WLVQRWYHU\GLIILFXOWWROHDUQLW-XVWRQHKDVWREH years. Domestic demand is huge. It also has ence from conventional toys battery-operated toys are being Overall a good import substitu-
DZDUHDOOWKHWLPHRIRQH·VEUHDWK,WFKDQJHVZKHWKHULWLVUXQQLQJIURP a rich history and culture when it comes to towards modern and hi-tech elec- manufactured less in India. tion move has been made and the
toy making. India’s toy industry has been tronic toys is strengthening the mar- The markets still sell Chinese government expects the sector to
WKHULJKWQRVWULORUOHIWQRVWULO,ILWLVUXQQLQJIURPWKHULJKWQRVWULODWWKDW a rare bright spot in the country’s drive to ket growth. In line with this, the products as still these are considered leap by 2028. The Ministry of
WLPHZHVKRXOGSHUIRUPKDUGZRUNOLNHHDWLQJGRLQJH[HUFLVHDQGHYHQ cut import reliance on China in recent years. escalating demand for sensory toys to have beheld the buyer. The Commerce thinks that in the next
HYDFXDWLQJDQGORJLFDODQDO\WLFDOPDWKHPDWLFVFDQDOVREHGRQH Various policies to reduce dependence on for kids with special needs is driving Indian toys, despite being less few years Indian toy industry would
7KHZULWHULVDQH[SRQHQWRI6ZDUD<RJD Chinese goods and boost local manufactur- (The author is a senior the market in India, the ILO notes expensive, are supposedly of better compete with China and have a
7KHYLHZVH[SUHVVHGDUHSHUVRQDO ing have been initiated while taking advan- journalist) Advanced technology and quality and have yet to carve out a niche in the world market.

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his year in April, we advocates that Basic Structure the country. Article 19(4) men- for a civilized country. Basic widened. A recent interview

T celebrated the 50th


anniversary of the Basic
Structure Doctrine. Basic
is attributed to the lecture
delivered by Sir Dieter Conrad,
a German jurist at Banaras
tions that Article 10(2) cannot
curtail the right of legal rem-
edy.
Structure was there since
inception, it is another issue
that was first argued explicit-
given by Shri K K Venugopal
rightly raises the caution that
frequent usage of this doctrine
Structure doctrine is used by Hindu University. The lecture There is a whole maze of ly in Golaknath’s case. has left parliament groping in
constitutional courts in our ;9C8<1I1<8B7A0 was used by the great jurist M events in this. In the Indian Therefore, delving into a the dark. Elaborating on the
country to interpret provi- K Nambiar in Golakhnath’s Constitution, we have a provi- debate about the fact that who same, he added, the manner
sions of our constitution and case wherein he watered the sion under Article 32(4) that introduced this doctrine in this doctrine was used in the
other laws which further drive seeds of Basic Structure, which mentions that rights under India is a futile debate. Rather NJAC case, undermined the
us to the conclusion about the already existed in our consti- Article 32 (legal remedy) can- we should understand that intention of our Constituent
amendments of constitution or tution, which will be explained not be suspended except and there are certain rights essen- Assembly members concern-
new laws, whether they are later in this article by drawing otherwise provided by this tial for humankind irrespective ing the appointment of judges
constitutional or unconstitu- an analogy from German’s constitution. Article 32 is of borders. It is not to credit or in constitutional courts.
tional. Basic Law. Shri M K Nambiar termed as “Heart and Soul” of discredit someone’s effort as to Therefore, it is required
Though few jurists attri- holds the distinction of argu- our constitution by Dr who used it first but to thank that the Basic Structure
bute this doctrine to J. Mud- ing this doctrine for the first Ambedkar. This is because it every advocate and judge who Doctrine should balance its
holkar wherein his lordship in time in India. pertinent to note that sub- by Basic Law. Adding further is upon this right, our part III used it at any point in time, ambit concerning the powers
Sajjan Singh’s case used the Basic Structure doctrine clause (2) of Article 19, acting to it, Article 19(4) of basic law of the constitution gets which resulted in an honest of parliament, as it is the
word “basic feature”. He cited cannot be analyzed without as a proviso to subclause (1) guarantees, what we call in enforced if violated by the state effort to protect the rights of biggest forum of representative
a case from Pakistan, where it taking into account the explicitly mentions that “In no India the right to Legal or its functionaries. It means, individuals or society. democracy. This doctrine has
was held that essential features Constitution of Germany case the essence of Basic Rights Remedies. Article 10(2) of without using the words like As Indian polity is not that protected the rights of society
of the constitution cannot be which is called Basic Law. be affected”. From here we can Basic Law puts some restric- “essential feature” or “Basic smooth, the rift between gov- and individuals but a caution
amended (Fazlul Quader Cha- Article 19 of the Basic Law derive that to much extent, tions in furtherance of law Structure” our constitution ernment and judiciary led to to its usage is required to pro-
udhary v. Mohd. Abdul Ha- (The writer is a Delhi restricts certain rights as and though unknowingly our Basic when there is a need to protect too has taken up the need to various litigations where the tect the interest of representa-
que). Another branch of jurists based Advocate) when any situation arises. It is Structure doctrine is inspired the basic democratic order of protect certain rights essential ambit of Basic Structure was tive democracy as well.

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