Post-Arab-Spring Presidential Poll in Egypt

DR. ABDUL RUFF

 ONE

The Arab Spring began in Tunisia last year when weeks of protests forced President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali from power, inspiring pro-democracy activists across the Arab world. The 15 months since Mubarak was forced from power has been turbulent, with continued violent protests and a deteriorating economy. Foreign direct investment has reversed from $6.4bn (£4bn) flowing into the country in 2010 to $500m leaving it last year.

Egyptians voted on May 23-24 in an historic presidential election, 15 months after ousting Hosni Mubarak in the Arab Spring uprising, contested by Islamists and secularists promising different futures for the country after the overthrow of veteran “dictator” Hosni Mubarak. Field Marshall Muhammad Hussein Tantawi, head of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, has been acting Head of State ever since.

Six months ago more than 70 percent of Egyptian voters cast ballots for Islamist parties.  Presidential polls for Egypt’s 50 million eligible voters went on smoothly. Three weeks of official campaigning, which included a US-style televised presidential debate, brought the Brotherhood to the fore. If none of the candidates wins more than 50% of the vote, the top two will have to compete in a run-off June 16-17. The election pitted Islamists against others like neo-secularists, and revolutionaries against Mubarak-era ministers. Thirteen people are vying for the top job but the frontrunners are:  Ahmed Shafiq, a former commander of the air force and briefly prime minister during February 2011 protests, Amr Moussa, who has served as foreign minister and head of the Arab League,  is accused of belonging to the old regime, the powerful Mohammed Mursi, who heads Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party, Abdul Moneim Aboul Fotouh, an independent Islamist candidate. The race is likely to come down to either Abdel Moneim Abol Fotouh, a liberal Islamist who nevertheless has the backing of conservative Salafists, or Amr Moussa, an official from the Mubarak era.

None of the 12 candidates was expected to get more than half the votes and win outright in the first round on Wednesday and Thursday, and a run-off between the top two is likely in June. It is the first time that ordinary Egyptians, ruled down the centuries by pharaohs, sultans, kings and military officers, have a genuine chance to choose their leader.

However, the top candidates are Mohamed Mursi from the Muslim Brotherhood and Ahmed Shafiq, a former air force commander under Mubarak.

The election caps a rollercoaster transition, marked by political upheaval and bloodshed, but which also witnessed democratic parliamentary elections that saw Islamist groups score a crushing victory. Candidates have been campaigning across the country for weeks in an unprecedented democratic exercise made possible by the early 2011 revolt.

Mubarak, 84 and ailing, might watch the election from a military hospital on the outskirts of Cairo as he awaits the verdict of his murder trial on June 2. The former strongman is accused of involvement in the killing of some 850 protesters during the uprising and of corruption.  Mubarak, under pressure from Washington, his key ally and financial sponsor, to open up politics, staged Egypt’s first multi-candidate presidential race in 2005. But rules barred any realistic challenge to him. The army, whose senior ranks control extensive commercial interests, insists it does not want to hang onto power. “With these elections, we will have completed the last step in the transitional period,” General Mohamed el-Assar told a news conference on the eve of voting.

In a wide open election that pits Islamists against men who served under deposed leader Hosni Mubarak. The contest is a novelty for a nation where elections during the 30-year rule of a man some called “Pharaoh” were thinly attended rigmaroles in which the result was a foregone conclusion.

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TWO

Former  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, in power for three decades, resigned on 11 February 2011 after 18 days of protests in Cairo and other cities. He is on trial for his alleged role in the deaths of protesters, and a verdict on 2 June  has placed him on life imprisonment but people are protesting  against the verdict saying the punishment is too little for his crimes.

The election is being hailed as a landmark for Egyptians, who have the opportunity to choose their leader for the first time in the country’s 5,000-year recorded history. The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (Scaf), worried about potential post-election unrest, has sought to reassure Egyptians that it will be the voters themselves who decide who will be the next president. “It is important that we all accept the election results, which will reflect the free choice of the Egyptian people, bearing in mind that Egypt’s democratic process is taking its first step and we all must contribute to its success,” it said.

The Muslim Brotherhood’s candidate for president in Egypt, Mohammed Morsi is the favorite leader as the top vote-getter. Shafiq is widely viewed as an extension and symbol of Mubarak’s rule and his run-off against Morsi is the most polarizing result possible.

Islamist candidates have promised an Islamic-based project that will meet the revolution’s goals, prompting fears among secularists and Egypt’s Coptic minority over personal freedoms and raising questions over the future of the country’s lucrative tourism industry. Shafiq and Mussa have vowed to maintain stability and restore law and order but their ties to the old regime sparked fears of renewed protests by those who will feel their revolution threatened.

The ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF), in power since Mubarak’s ouster, urged Egyptians to turn out en masse to the polls, while warning against any “violation.” The SCAF has vowed to hand power to civilian rule by the end of June, after a president is elected, but many fear its retreat will be just an illusion. The army, with its vast and opaque economic power, wants to keep its budget a secret by remaining exempt from parliamentary scrutiny, maintain control of military-related legislation and secure immunity from prosecution.

Mursi was originally the Muslim Brotherhood’s reserve candidate, but he was thrust into the limelight after its first choice, Khairat al-Shater, was disqualified by the Higher Presidential Electoral Commission (HPEC) over an unresolved conviction. The Brotherhood has nevertheless likened Mursi, a US-educated engineer and MP, to an underrated football substitute.

Mursi has said he would include a wide range of political forces in any government. Mursi promised at a news conference to provide representation to women and children, and said the era of a “Superman” as president was over. The Freedom and Justice Party head said the presidency would no longer be about one person; it would be an institution. Mursi also promised that the new constitution would be written by a panel that truly represented the diversity of Egyptian society. The current 100-member drafting assembly was suspended following complaints that women, young people and minorities were under-represented.

For Mursi, the anti-Mubarak protest was a reminder their uprising has been hijacked. He was quick to come out with a response. At a news conference, he again struck a conciliatory tone and tried to reach out to wider Egyptian society, knowing he will need its support to win the presidency.  Obviously, under tremendous pressure from western terrocracies, Mursi said women have a right to freely choose the attire that suits them. The 60-year-old added that he would appoint Coptic Christians as presidential advisers and even one as vice-president “if possible”.

The Brotherhood’s Mursi, trying to allay such worries, pledged in a final rally that “we will not export our revolution to anyone”. Mursi was pitched into the race at the last minute after the Brotherhood’s first-choice candidate was ruled out. He may lack charisma, but he can rely on the Brotherhood’s vote machine. His rivals include Abdel Moneim Abol Fotouh, an Islamist who has drawn support ranging from liberals to hardline Salafi Muslims; Moussa, who was foreign minister before moving to the Arab League and has strong name recognition; and Ahmed Shafiq, Mubarak’s last prime minister, who like his former boss, once commanded the air force.

A late surge helped Hamdeen Sabahy, a leftist inspired by Gamal Abdel Nasser, whose “Free Officers” overthrew King Farouk in 1952 and set up the system that has put military men in the presidency for the past 60 years.

 Whoever wins faces a huge task to deliver changes that Egyptians expect to relieve a grim economic outlook. The military that was a pillar of Mubarak’s rule is likely to remain a powerful political force for years.

THREE  (Some Observations)

The poll outcome may have divided Egypt and deeply disappointed the activist movement that galvanized the nation’s 2011 revolt against Mubarak’s entrenched old guard. Thousands had taken to the streets of Cairo after the Higher Presidential Election Committee (HPEC) published the results of last week’s first round, which saw Mursi win 24.3% of the vote and Shafiq get 23.3%.  The presidential vote results were being contested even before they were released.

The new president will also have to reform the police to deal with the rash of crime that followed the uprising. As many as a third of voters are reported to be undecided about which candidate to choose. The next president will inherit a struggling economy, deteriorating security and the challenge of uniting a nation divided by the uprising and its sometimes deadly aftermath, but his powers are yet to be defined by a new constitution.

Tourism, a major revenue generator for the country, has also dropped by a third. The new Islamist government is not expected to  boost tourism for revenues by sacrificing Islamic values. There could be “adjustments” to begin with before the tourism operations are streamlined.

The election marks the final phase of a tumultuous transition overseen by the ruling military council after Mubarak was ousted in a popular uprising last year. After decades of pre-determined results, for the first time, the outcome of the vote in the Arab world’s most populous nation — which also pits revolutionaries against old regime members — is wide open. According to pollsters, the large number of voters undecided between candidates reflecting radically different trends and the novelty of a free presidential vote make Wednesday’s election almost impossible to call.

The generals now ruling Egypt on an interim basis are due to formally hand over power by July 1. The military council which assumed presidential power in February 2011 has promised a fair vote and civilian rule. In the second city of Alexandria, says that for many people the election is not about religious dogma or party politics, but about who can put food on the table.

Until a new constitution is approved it is unclear what powers the president will have, prompting fears of friction with a military which seems determined to retain its powerful position. Everyone seems to recognize the extraordinary nature of the moment, the first chance in history Egyptians have had to choose a leader. There are supporters of all the main candidates, Islamists and ministers of the old regime, side by side in the queues. Everyone talks of the huge economic challenges ahead and of the two tests Egypt’s democracy now faces – first, to conduct a fair vote, then to persuade all Egyptians to accept the result, even if they don’t like it.

Many Gulf states are concerned about who will lead the regional heavyweight after their long-time ally Mubarak was ousted. Their conservative monarchies have so far emerged from a wave of Arab uprisings relatively unscathed.

The West, long wary of  rise of Islamism Islamists as consequence of post-sept-11, and Israel, worried about its 33-year-old peace treaty with Egypt, are watching to see if proponents of political Islam add to their gains after sweeping most seats in a parliamentary vote that ended in January. “Our vote will make Egypt’s voice in the Arab world ring loud and clear,” said Saad Abed Raboh, a civil servant in his mid-50s voting in Alexandria. “For 30 years Egypt’s vote was muted, but now it will be heard because Egyptians will choose their president.”

 Egyptians look forward to  a new era, new rules, new polices with Islamic persectives.

A Proposition for the Presidential Rule in Nepal

Rastrapati Aau, Desh Bachaau: Mr. President,Defend  the Country’s Identity!

By Divas

The Nepal Government has proposed to extend the tenure for the present Constitution Assembly by 3 more months.

However, most Nepalis – regardless of their identity – have lost all their patience with the present political leadership.

The country is clearly heading toward further radicalization and communal violence.

And there is a strong possibility of outside intervention.

Now the country’s identity is in question.

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Nepal’s political transformation is complete.

Now the country needs to focus only on one agenda – the agenda of economic transformation.

What Nepal now needs is a democratic autocrat under whom the country may focus on economic transformation.

And Dr. Yadav is a perfect candidate for that.

The incumbent Prime Minister Dr. Bhattarai is also a competent person – however, the times are not in his favor – both socially and politically.

The Presidential Rule under Dr. Yadav would also be beneficial for the political parties themselves, including the Maoists.

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Therefore, this blogger dismisses all political statements and arguments and proposes for a direct Presidential Rule under Prez Dr. Ram Baran Yadav.

And I direct the Nepal Army to support the President in his mission to defend the country’s identity.

The President may appoint people from different spheres of life – including from the political parties – for running day to day affairs of the state.

Yes, I’m Responsible for all the Problems in the World

By Divas

Of late, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for me to be ‘social’, I don’t feel like speaking with anyone.

However, even when you don’t speak, people won’t leave you alone.

They ask me: who is responsible for the problems that we’re facing right now?

And I ask them not to ask me such questions.

Coz I’ve found that people ask me questions, and when I answer their questions, they’re offended.

And they’re offended not becoz I offend them, I just state what I see, they offend themselves.

Therefore, I often ask people not to bother me with their questions.

And yet people keep on bothering me with their questions.

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Someone again asked me: who’s responsible for the problems in the society?

And I replied to him: you’re responsible for everything.

And, again, another person offended himself with my answer.

I don’t see any problem in the society.

The problem is in the individual.

The problem with the individual is that s/he wants to take credit when something works.

And no one wants to take responsibility when something goes ‘wrong’.

When something goes ‘wrong’, everyone wants to transfer responsibility on others.

And this is the main reason behind all conflicts: from interpersonal to all social and political conflicts.

What people don’t seem to realize that everyone is equally responsible for everything that goes right or ‘wrong’.

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The reason why people don’t want to take their share of responsibility is becoz people lack spirituality.

People have become too materialist.

Since people have become too materialist, they’re not doing what makes them happy, they’re doing ‘comparative’ things: what makes them smarter, richer, higher, bigger, more powerful,…etc so that they may look down upon others.

And since people are not doing what makes them happy, they’ve become sick spiritually.

Since people are sick spiritually, they don’t enjoy what they’re doing.

And since people don’t enjoy what they’re doing, they find fault with everyone and everything.

And thus they transfer responsibility on others when something doesn’t seem to work.

And this is the singular reason behind all conflicts: YOU transfer responsibility on OTHERS.

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People often ask me: what are you? Rightist, Leftist, Capitalist, Communist, Socialist, Libertarian, Nationalist, Internationalist,….etc

And how can we solve the problems in society and in the world?

People ask me such questions coz they divide the world in two or more folds…they’re still materialists.

Materialists always divide the world in two or more folds, coz they must transfer responsibility on others when something doesn’t seem to work.

People don’t realize that there is yet another dimension, there is yet another approach of looking at the world.

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I do not divide the world in two or more folds: for me all the world is one, everything in the world is interlinked.

And therefore, I cannot transfer responsibility on others.

And therefore, I do not fit in your definitions.

I cannot feed your ego by saying that someone else is responsible.

I will say that YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE.

I see that everyone is responsible when something goes right.

And everyone is responsible when something goes left.

And I can’t help if my answer doesn’t satisfy you – please don’t bother me.

And if you cannot be happy unless you transfer responsibility on others, transfer it on me.

Yes, I’m responsible for everything that goes right or left.

चीन र भारतबीचको पुल नेपाल बन्न सक्ला ?

 

By Divas

एक्काइसौं शताब्दीमा चीन र भारत विश्वले उपेक्षा गर्नै नसक्ने एशियाली शक्तिका रूपमा उदाएका छन् । चीन र भारत हाल विश्वकै तीव्र वृद्धि गरिरहेका आर्थिक र सामरिक शक्ति हुन् । त्यसैगरी, चीन र भारतको जनसङ्ख्या विश्वकै एक तिहाइ हुन आउँछ ।

विश्व अर्थतन्त्रमा चीन र भारतको बढ्दो भूमिका:

चीनले सन् २०१० मा विश्वकै दोस्रो ठूलो अर्थतन्त्रका रूपमा आफूलाई उभ्याउँदै जापानलाई विस्थापन गरिसकेको छ । त्यसैगरी सन् २०३० सम्ममा विश्वकै ठूलो अर्थतन्त्रका रूपमा चीनले अमेरिकालाई समेत उछित्रे विश्व बैङ्कको हालैको ‘चाइना–२०३०’ प्रतिवेदनले भनेको छ । भारत भने गार्हस्थ्य उत्पादनको आधारमा हाल विश्वको नवां ठूलो अर्थतन्त्रका रूपमा रहेको छ । तर, पर्चेजिङ पावर प्यारिटी (पीपीपी)को आधारमा भारत अहिले नै विश्वको तेस्रो ठूलो अर्थतन्त्र हो । त्यसैगरी कुल गार्हस्थ्य उत्पादनकै आधारमा पनि भारत २०३० सम्ममा विश्वको तेस्रो ठूलो अर्थतन्त्र बत्रे सम्भावना छ ।

चीन–भारत प्रतिस्पर्धा :

दक्षिण एशियादेखि अफ्रिकासम्म चीन र भारतबीचको प्रतिस्पर्धा छरछिमेकदेखि अफ्रिकाको तेल खानीसम्म महसूस गरिएको छ । त्यसैले, बीसौं शताब्दीमा भौगोलिक युद्ध लडिसकेका चीन र भारतबीच एक्काइसौं शताब्दीमा व्यापार–युद्धु पनि हुन सक्ने सम्भावना देखिएको छ ।

तर, व्यापारिक युगमा प्रवेश गरिसकेपछि चीन र भारतले आफूहरूबीचका कतिपय मनोमालिन्यलाई भने हटाउनुपर्नेछ । कतिपय अवस्थामा चीन र भारतको आर्थिक शक्ति एकअर्कासँग प्रतिस्पर्धात्मकभन्दा पनि एकअर्काका परिपूरक देखिएका छन् । केही समयअघि भारतस्थित चिनियाँ दूतावासका आर्थिक तथा व्यापारिक सल्लाहकार पेङ गाङले भारतीय उद्यमीहरूलाई सम्बोधन गर्दै चीनलाई ‘विश्वकै कारखाना’ र भारतलाई ‘विश्वकै कार्यालय’ भनेका थिए । त्यसैगरी, भारतका विदेशमन्त्री एस एम कृष्णाले हालै सिङ्गापुरमा चीन अहिले नै भारतको सबैभन्दा ठूलो व्यापारिक साझेदार रहेकाले दुई देशबीचको अझ बलियो आर्थिक सम्बन्धले विश्वका दुई अर्बभन्दा बढी मानिस प्रत्यक्ष लाभान्वित हुने भनेको पनि स्मरणीय छ ।

तुलनात्मक आर्थिक सबलता एवम् चुनौती:

मुख्य गरेर म्यानुफ्याक्चरिङ र पूर्वाधारको क्षेत्रमा चीन बलियो देखिएको छ भने सेवाक्षेत्रमा भारत । तर, निर्यातमाथिको अत्यधिक निर्भरता र जनसङ्ख्यामा पाकाहरूको बढ्दो अनुपातले भविष्यमा चिनियाँ अर्थतन्त्रमा समस्या आउन सक्ने देखिन्छ । उता, बहुल समाजका कारण फस्टाएको उद्यमशीलताका साथै नवप्रवर्तन तथा तुलनात्मक रूपले युवा जनसङ्ख्या भारतको सबल पक्ष मानिन्छ । तर, आर्थिक वृद्धिको फाइदा निश्चित समूह मुख्य गरेर शहरी क्षेत्रमा मात्र सीमित रहनु र ग्रामीण क्षेत्रको ठूलो जनसङ्ख्या आर्थिक समृद्धिबाट अलग्गिनु दुवै देशको चुनौतीका रूपमा देखिएको छ ।

नेपालः तरुल कि पुल ?

नेपालका वर्तमान प्रधानमन्त्री डा.बाबुराम भट्टराईले प्रचण्ड सरकारमा उनी अर्थमन्त्री रहेका बेला आफ्नो नेतृत्वमा नेपालको अर्थतन्त्रले भ्यागुतो जस्तो छलाङ मार्ने बताएका थिए । त्यसैगरी भट्टराई आफै प्रधानमन्त्री भएपछि उनले चीन र भारतबीच व्यापारिक पुल भएर नेपालले आर्थिक विकास गर्न सक्ने आशावादी टिप्पणी गरेका थिए । बढ्दो आर्थिक र सामरिक प्रतिस्पर्धाका कारण दुवै छिमेकी शक्तिको चासो पनि नेपालप्रति बढ्दै गएको छ ।

वास्तवमा आशावादी भएर हेर्ने हो भने नेपाललाई चीन र भारतबीचको व्यापार क्षेत्रका रूपमा विकास गर्न सकिने सम्भावनामा कुनै आशङ्का छैन । तर, दुई महाशक्तिबीच रहेको नेपालले अन्य मुद्दामा अल्झिनुको सट्टा आर्थिक मुद्दालाई आगामी संविधानको आधार संरचना बनाउन सकेको खण्डमा मात्रै देशले भ्यागुताको जस्तो उफ्रने आर्थिक विकास प्राप्त गर्न सक्ने व्यवसायी तथा विशेषज्ञहरूको ठम्याइ छ ।

Published on March 14

9/11 & Obama’s Dead God

Guys, did you hear what Obama said on the occasion of 9/11? He says, ‘God is our last refuge’…hahaha… I used to think that Obama is a lil wiser than his predecessors…but alas…I don’t understand why even the most powerful man on earth invokes the dead God to justify human(read his predecessors) follies. Nietzsche, where are you man?

What Happens When UNMIN Exits From Nepal ?

By Divas

UN Under Secretary General for Political Affairs B Lynn Pascoe wrapped up his 40-hours visit to Nepal after talking to more than 40 personalities directly involved in the integration and rehabilitation of Maoist combatants within UNMIN’s Jan. 15, 2011 deadline. The visit is significant as an indication of the Security Council’s intention to follow closely developments in the Nepal’s peace process during the final months of UNMIN. Pascoe will report his findings to the Security Council on Wednesday.  During his earlier visit to Nepal in March, Pascoe had strongly objected to the criticism of UNMIN as unfair and absurd and criticized the present Madhav Kumar Nepal Government and his political allies for blaming the UN mission to “cover up their failures”.

The debate on the fate of Maoist Army has intensified with the Maoist Party’s insistence on integrating the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) guerillas into the National Army, and on the other hand, the opposition Nepali Congress’s  strong reservation over integrating PLA into the National Army. The Terai parties like MJF & TMDP also have strongly objected to what they call “wholesale integration” of the Maoist guerillas into the Army. Similarly, Nepal Army Chief Chatraman Singh Gurung  has reiterated his predecessor Rukmagad Katwal’s Army policy of accepting only those “deemed fit through free competition.”

Tackling the issue of “integration” or “rehabilitation” of around 20,000 UNMIN certified Maoist combatants would be the most daunting task for the political leaders after the peaceful abolition of monarchy and promulgation of republic in Nepal two year’s back. However, some Nepal Army officers claim that “integration” of the guerillas would not be of much concern provided the politicians refrained from attaching their personal egotism with the issue and begin vigorous but informal track-three consultations among the stakeholders.

There is a widespread concern among the commoners that if the UNMIN really exits from Nepal in January 2011 and if the integration issue is not resolved by then, there is a real danger of the issue flaring up into another armed conflict.

An Adoptive Mom’s Appeal For Peace in Nepal

* Author’s Identity Withheld on Request

Nepal adoption journey has been long and emotionally tough, especially with great amount of uncertainties due to political situation. As an adoptive parent, I can do nothing but meditate and pray at home… Everyday, I pray for the child I am going to adopt, for Nepali people and for peace.

I hope you all understand that we chose Nepal not because it is a “RELATIVELY EASY and FAST” program as we were informed before sending in the application (Certainly, I have to admit that we became more confident after being told about this). Our choice was a call from our heart.

The reality turned out to be not so “RELATIVELY EASY and FAST”, our emotion has been on the roller coaster with each political climate change in Nepal, and our heart is in our throat again because of the tension between Maoist and Non-Maoist. Some of the adoption paper works we completed will expire soon, we will have to spend money and efforts to get them done again… But aren’t these the excitements of adoption process?

You wait, you pray, you guess, you doubt, you believe, you imagine, you dream… One moment you are nervous and ill tempered, and the next minute you might be as exuberant as a child who just received a new toy, all because of a piece of news or even rumour. We have no complaints, we chose Nepal because we love this country and her children, and we will wait!

I have faith in Nepali government, I truly appreciate the wonderful opportunity this country and its people have provided to us. Everyday, I came up with thoughts to encourage myself and keep my attitude positive.

While there are numerous public blogs on Nepal Adoption, I would like to get the communication down to a somewhat private level. If you have anything to share with me – good news or bad news or your thoughts or anything else you think I should know about, e-mail me at nepaladoption2009@gmail.com. I believe this is the most appropriate way to approach people who are more comfortable getting a communication started in a more private way… I will be expecting your message like a teenage girl expecting her first date.

I THANK YOU THANK YOU and THANK YOU for reading a not-so-pleasant statement from an adoptive mother. I promise to give you a cheerful statement when the GOOD NEWS comes! Again, wish you the best of the best. NAMASTE NEPAL!”

* Author’s Identity Withheld on Request

India Votes 2009: Billionaires’ Polls: Hindutva, Islam, & Democracy

By Dr. Abdul Ruff

I

Essentially the billionaire’ poll going on in India to make way officially for the rich people among others to enter Parliament as people’s representatives is indeed a mockery of democracy. On the one hand the poll is being imposed on unwilling Kashmiris as the freedom leaders have announced a boycott of the Indian poll in an alien Jammu Kashmir now under hegemonic and brutal Indian occupation.. One other, the crucial issues of Babri Mosque reconstruction and surredering of Kashmir soverignty have not been raised in the campign, but the nation has to resolve the issues at the earliest.

Biggest joke is Indian polls being “free & fair”, while the opposite is true. Power of money and muscle as well as blackmail politics is the hall mark of Indian poll and politics and Muslims are the sufferes. India is being literally ruled by the billionaires and other varieties of multinational industrialists by keeping a regime of its liking. They finance national and regional politics, polls, cricketism, nuclearism, terrorism and many other activities both openly and hidden. Earlier these “special” category of “democrats” used to employ politicians as candidates for polls both for the Parliaments and state legislatures, but now many of them have popped up themselves as the prospective Parliamentarians for the next Parliament. Many of the today’s candidates for Parliament to make law for the Indian nation have criminal records, some of them alarmingly serious ones.

Indian billionaires and multi-nationals and other big industrialists are holding a poll to reelect a regime to pursue their global interests with the help of political outfits in the country through a properly constituted election commission to support their cause. Major issues like Kashmir and reconstruction of grand Babri Mosque destroyed during the Congress regime in 1992 are not at all raised in the poll in consensus efforts by all politicians-bureaucrats-intelligence with a view not to appeasing the Muslims in any way but only use them just as the usual vote banks. It means, the Hindus consider Muslims as fools of the worst category and Muslims also seem to admit that.

II

Both Hindu Congress and Hindutva BJP have same or similar agenda in India and one uses the other to stay in politics while the Hindutva elements control both these national parties. Destruction of Grand Babri Mosque was indeed a joint agenda of both and the operation was meticulously engineered by entrusting the Congress premier Narasimha Rao to “do the job” and he did by using the Hindu terrorists, military and polices forces to pull down the historic Mosque in Uttar Pradesh. No party, right, centre or Left, now talks about the Hindu agenda of Babri Mosque and Indian Hindus think the matter is closed for now. Indian premier pledged before Indian nation that the Mosque would be reconstructed at the very site where it stood, but till date Indian government has not done it. Congress is using BJP & co to save its skin. They only threat to pull down some more Mosques.

Israel is used by the USA and Europe as a regional weapons depot to transfer arms to the needy customers in the Third world. India has emerged as one of heaviest purchasers of Israeli arms. In order to track Muslims in India and Kashmir Indian leaders, both Congress and BJP, entered into military contract with Zionist Israel for weapons worth thousands of crores of rupees in which many party bigwigs get lucrative commissions. The BJP regime went for a 5,000 crores for “Barak missiles” and when the Congress came to power a CBI enquiry was instituted on the contract and bribery, but the congress recently signed a contract with Israel for 10,000 crores of weapons, obviously to kill Muslims in the region, and asked the CBI to get out of sight. That is Congress and BJP and their Hindutva links against Muslims and Islam.

As it was expected when offered the premiership to him, Manmohan and the likes have been serving the multinationals in the country and west. A recent report highlights the fact that now many of the aspiring Parliamentarians are billionaires themselves, but the political outfits who float them now rather boldly as the best stuff for the Parliament also claim they want people to elect them to serve the ordinary people. An old Joke? Can mafias, criminals, terrorism financiers, frauds and the likes offer any better governance? Indian Muslims are least bothered about all this, they just want their “favorite party” to win by all “means” and they are satisfied with a few coins offered by the Hindu leaders for their “services”. They don’t mind if the Congress-BJP combines pulls down some mosques and keep the Muslims fully terrorized.

III

A vote for Congress party by a Muslim in India is a vote against Mosque and, hence, against their religion Islam and fellow Muslims. Both Congress (and BJP), the Hindu parties, are using some Muslim agents to use internet to mischievously make them vote for Congress automatically just by opening their dirty emails. If one opens the dubious email your vote is automatically cast for UPA- Congress. Though it is only a joke and does not mean anything in reality, still such dubious means being employed by Congress and BJP and other Hindu parties without even raising the issue of Babri Mosque and Kashmir problem is illegal and immoral. It is shameful that Muslims, unable to make Congress recommit itself for the reconstruction of Grand Babri Mosque still, shamelessly canvas for the Hindu forces that destroyed the Babri Mosque on false notions and annexed Jammu Kashmir and killed thousands of innocent Muslims in Kashmir as well as in India.

Congress is a party with hidden agendas against Muslims in India and around and the BJP which s a byproduct of Congress, just support them. Destruction of Babri Mosque and other historic mosques in India has been the target of Congress party but it uses BJP to achieve that object. Muslims cannot deceive themselves and their religion or insult their beliefs by voting the Congress or BJP. It is not to suggest that others parties are better, they all are one and same rotten stuff but they are not directly involved in the ghastly destruction of Babri Mosque and invasion of Jammu Kashmir, however, they also don’t demand the reconstruction of Babri Mosque and vacating the Jammu Kashmir converted by terrorist India as a terror zone.

In projecting BJP as the big threat to Islam and Muslims, Congress has taken Muslim support for granted. Similarly, the Communists and other Third front parties have ensured the bulk of votes of the Muslims sandwiched between Congress and BJP extremist dramas. Congress, a covert Hindutva party, is using, by usual secret arrangement, the Hindutva BJP as a threat to woo the Muslims to vote for Congress which in fact is also a terrific threat to Islam. By just ignoring the calls for vote to these anti-Islamic political outfits, Muslims would in fact honor their religion, their God ALLAH and dignity of Muslims, without fear of backlash form these Hindu outfits, because worst has already been done to Indian Muslims all spheres.

IV

Most Muslims feel they have no proper choices and India has created all possibilities to elect only those the Indian regime offer to them. Muslims have, thus, have a choice among those who destroyed the Grand Babri Mosque, those who created the opportunity for the ghastly demolition by the Hindu terrorists and those who indirectly support tit and never opposed it or asked Indian regime to rebuild the Mosque as promised. The power-cum-benefits sharing tactics of Muslim League and other similar outfits have indeed harmed the Muslims genuine interests and emboldened the Indian state to honor the commit to the nation and world on Babri Mosque.

Grand Babri Mosque was pulled down in 1992 (on the false information supplied by the former Indian rulers from UK) by Indian Hindu terrorists with the backup of state and security forces. Politicians, essentially anti-Muslim, rule India on behalf of industrialists who finance their campaigns. After this poll, many industrialists would become ministers and occupy important positions. Can a poll meant to retain the billionaires in power through a government help the common people, especially the hapless Muslims in a basically Hindu India? Hindu parties and their governments have been fooling the Muslims for decades now. Muslims have to get away from their pressure tactics and ponder over their pathetic existence as well as threat plight in India at least while voting, if at all they choose to vote. Once Muslims begin to think one can expect a basic shift in Indian politics, for, Grand Babri Mosque would be back at its original site; Kashmiris will obtain their sovereignty back from an arrogant and hegemonic India. Muslims will get their legitimate dues in national development, hitherto denied by “secular & democratic” India.

V

As a strategic partner, India is like Israel and USA with hidden agendas to reduce the population of global Muslims and defame Islam by projecting it as a religion of terrorists and killing Muslims by branding them as terrorists, including suspected ones. India, basically ruled by Congress party and its allies, is employing all tricks to marginalize and terrorize the hapless Muslim population in the country. Indian industrialists once elected, don’t require the political MPs for advancing their interests around the world and now even get their own representatives as ambassadors and high-commissioners and other high officials abroad and indoors. Now elections are due shortly and many billionaires, private terrorists, criminals, national pick-pockets, liquor & other mafias and international frauds would reach the Parliament to make laws for “secular & democratic” India. They would use terrorism plank to loot the nation.

In fact, it does not matter who will be the next premier in India which has not so far produced any normal premier- let alone good or great with a vision- who is fare-minded and would take decisions independent of Hindu pressure groups and other capitalist lobbies, and capable of tracking Hindu terrorists and other trouble-shooters for minorities firmly.

The moot issue, therefore, is not which party or alliance would secure more seats and who would be the next premier. In fact, it does not actually matter whether a soft Hindutva regime led by Congress or an extremist Hindutva alliance led by BJP or even a third or fourth front without any program would form the government. But the real issue would be whether the Indian leadership would at all shed its anti-Islamic and anti-Muslim mindset first and then think about the genuine interest of Muslims including the Babri Mosque! Indian façade of democracy and secularism is fake is used to fool the world, but the leaders keep confusing the world with these concepts.

(PS. This is not my personal issue, but an issue concerning Islam and the Muslims across the globe)

European Scene: Poll & Crisis in Moldova

European Scene: Poll & Crisis in Moldova – By Dr. Abdul Ruff Colachal

I

Moldova or Moldavia, a former Republic of the Soviet Union and now a part of “democratic” Europe, however, remains, like the Central Asian states that also once formed the parts of the USSR, one of the pro-communist dispensations. Moldavians went to the polls on April 05 to vote for a new parliament that will in course choose a replacement for President Vladimir Voronin, the only Communist leader in Europe and the former Soviet Union. Voronin, in office since 2001, cannot stand for a third consecutive term but has made it plain that he wants to remain close to power by taking another senior post in the manner of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in Russia.

The final election results released on April 08 showed the Communist Party with 49.5% of the vote, winning 60 parliamentary seats. That is one seat less than the number required for the party to control the presidential election. Three other parties are more amenable to working with the Communists, and they may pass the 6 percent of support needed to gain a seat in the parliament. The Communists need 61 seats if they want to vote through their candidate for the presidency. No candidate has been named so far. The Communists gain much of their support from the older generations and civil servants.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has already congratulated Voronin on his party’s election win, and the Foreign Ministry said Russia was deeply concerned by the events in Moldova.  The Moldova parliament elects the president, and the Communists appeared very close to securing the 61 seats they need in the 101-seat assembly to secure victory for their chosen candidate.  Voronin’s Communists, who held 56 of the 101 seats in the outgoing parliament, are far ahead in a field of 15 parties, with support of 36 percent. Three opposition parties, broadly favoring closer ties with Romania and the European Union, lie far behind. Voronin did not rule out forming a coalition in the parliament, saying, “It would be good for as many parties to get in … then there’ll be someone with whom to create a coalition.”

Opposition leaders said the election result was fraudulent. Moldova‘s president has since called for a full recount of disputed elections won by the ruling Communist Party, bowing to a key demand of protesters who stormed the parliament. Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin said in an official statement: “I am convinced that a complete recount of votes will become a major argument for maintaining political stability, peace and mutual trust in Moldova“.

Meanwhile, about 10,000 demonstrators massed for a second day in the capital of Europe‘s poorest country to denounce the vote as rigged. The opposition called for ballots to be recounted or the vote to be re-held. Most of the protesters are students who see no future if Communists keep their hold on the former Soviet republic of 4 million people — located on the European Union’s border but within what Russia sees as its sphere of influence. They hurled computers into the street while police took cover behind riot shields. Moldovan protesters ransacked the president’s offices and the parliament on April 07in violent protests over parliamentary elections that President Vladimir Voronin said amounted to a “coup d’etat, referring to opposition leaders.” RIA-Novosti reported that the authorities and opposition leaders agreed to a recount of votes cast in Sunday’s parliamentary election, which was easily won by Voronin’s Communist Party. Voronin said in a television address that opposition leaders had embarked on a “path to the violent seizure of power.” He said the authorities “would resolutely defend the state against the leaders of the pogrom.”

Some of the protesters had carried Romanian flags and called for the unification of Moldova with Romania, its bigger neighbour and even shouted “We are Romanians”.  Protesters overwhelmed riot police protecting both the president’s office and the parliament — located opposite each other on the capital Chisinau’s main boulevard — and poured into both buildings through smashed windows. They heaped tables, chairs and papers onto a bonfire outside parliament, and fires could also be seen in some of the building’s windows. Some people gathered to demand the release of the 193 people reportedly arrested. Vlad Filat, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, called the demonstrations “a spontaneous action by protesting young people”. He said the opposition had tried to prevent excesses.

II

Protestors indirectly sought to end communist regime and also seek better ties with neighboring Rumania. They however did not demand the resignation of Voronin. The leaders of three opposition parties that won seats in parliament spoke to reporters after emerging from talks with Moldova‘s president and prime minister in the aftermath of protests that caused serious damage to government buildings. They sought to stop violence. “We must stop this violence, secure the right to a recount of all the votes. And we demanded the right to stage peaceful protests “Dorin Chirtoaca, leader of the Liberal Party and mayor of Chisinau, said. Vlad Filat of the Liberal Democrats said the opposition, which stands broadly for closer ties with neighboring Romania, was demanding the right to check all electoral lists.. “As a result of this, I can assure you that the elections were rigged and we will organize a new election.”

Opposition leaders called for a halt to the protests and said they were pressing for a recount of all votes cast. Moldovan state television said one young woman choked to death from carbon monoxide poisoning in the parliament building. It cited a senior doctor at Chisinau emergency hospital as saying 34 other protesters had been injured, including two in a serious condition in hospital. Some 80 police officers also received treatment for injuries, it said. Some demonstrators were seen chasing police away after seizing truncheons and riot shields

Officials in Moldova and Russia accused Romania of fomenting the riots, but witnesses said they were spontaneous. Moldova‘s president has accused neighboring Romania of stoking the protests that erupted into violence in the capital Chisinau. Romania has rejected the accusation as a “provocation”. Vladimir Voronin, a communist, was quoted by Russian agency Interfax saying: “We know that certain political forces in Romania are behind this unrest. The Romanian flags fixed on the government buildings in Chisinau attest to this.” He ordered that Romania‘s ambassador be expelled, recalled the Moldovan envoy from Bucharest, and said Romanians would in future need visas to cross into Moldova. But Romania‘s foreign ministry said: “This accusation is a provocation aimed at the Romanian state.” It is “unacceptable that the Communists in power in Chisinau shift the blame for internal problems in Moldova onto Romania and the Romanian people”, the statement added.

III

International observers said the vote appeared to have been fair. The EU sent an envoy to Moldova to mediate in the dispute between President Voronin’s Communist Party and the three centre-right opposition parties. Observers from the European security body, the OSCE, concluded that the vote had been generally fair, but opposition parties and many students accused the authorities of fraud. A report by the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s vote gave a mostly positive assessment of the poll. But the BBC in Moscow says that any Romanian connection with the uprising is to do with economics, rather than politics. EU foreign policy Chief Javier Solana called on all sides to show restraint and to refrain from violence and provocation..

Moldova is one of six former Soviet states with which the EU is due to launch a new program of enhanced ties at a summit in Prague next month. Moldova, sandwiched between Romania and Ukraine, is the poorest country in Europe, where the average wage is just under $250 (£168) a month. The people speak Romanian and the country shares many cultural links with Romania. However it was annexed by the Soviet Union in World War II and gained independence in 1991. There remains an unresolved conflict with the breakaway region of Trans-Dniester, which has run its own affairs, with Moscow‘s support, since the end of hostilities in a brief war in 1992.

President Voronin, in power since 2001, is governing a country where poverty has pushed a quarter of adults to work abroad. Voronin has overseen stability and economic growth since 2001 but has been unable to solve the rebellion in its Russian-speaking breakaway region of Transdnestr, where Russia has had troops since Soviet times. The region, like in previous elections, boycotted Sunday’s vote. With little mineral resources, Moldova‘s economy depends on agriculture, including wine production, and remittances from the hundreds of thousands who left the country to work in EU states. The global economic crisis threatens to aggravate Moldova‘s poverty as workers’ remittances dry up.

As it stands now, Moldova’s liberal, pro-Western opposition on April 14 dismissed as a “trick” a planned recount of the recent disputed election won by the ruling Communist Party and said it would take no part in the process. Opposition parties demand a new election and say they expect no new results. They say their concern is fraud with voters’ lists, which they allege contain the names of dead voters and Moldovans working abroad.

Word of the demonstrations was spread by text message, via the internet, and on social networking tools. Moldovans can see the success that Romania has enjoyed since throwing off communism and joining the EU. On average, Romanians earn five times as much as their Moldovan neighbours. The conclusion that many young Moldovans have come to is that a return to communist government and close friendship with Moscow has brought them nothing. Needless to state that the Western powers are instrumental in the post-poll troubles in Moldova but their merits or otherwise cannot be diagnosed here. Voronin is due to step down, having served the maximum of two consecutive terms.

Indo-US Economy: Economic Stimulus May Bypass Poverty Eradication?

Obama Injects Stimulus: But will it work?

Economic Stimulus May Bypass Poverty Eradication?

Prof. J. George and Ayushya Mohan George

The announced economic package is primarily aimed at avoiding bankruptcy of a few at the cost of neglecting poverty eradication. The 836 million ‘aam adami” appears to have lost relevance with this spectrum of economic activities targeted as the main recipients.

Public service delivery mechanism as domestic demand stimulant, hence, attains exceptional significance when global meltdown in market fundamentals leads to loss of confidence along with depression. A close reading of Paul Krugman’s columns in the New York Times should convince any hard core sceptics.

Poor people in particular should not despair if appropriate economic stimulus as public expenditure is stepped up. Or will fiscal prudence driven public expenditure protocol make a mockery of even recent enactment of the social security law for the unorganised sector? Fiscal profligacy, though, will accelerate movement towards mocking the poor people.

It is extremely momentous, however, to ensure modest mechanism to access basic public services like health care, sanitation, drinking water and education; and access to meaningful political participation (73^rd and 74^th amendments to the constitution), respectable work and modest security in addition to adequate access to income to steer the stimulus package indeed towards a sustainable and real social protection.

The Indian Constitution and the millennium development goals (MDGs) has mandated to ‘Take Action’ to end poverty and inequality. Did we succeed in either? Should not poverty/BPL be such an emotive issue today as well? Why does it not keep popping up in a typical Gresham’s Law fashion every day in the media?

A plausible explanation is available if we cared to revisit Nobel Laureates Amartya Sen and Eric Maskin or the 2008 commemoration theme of the International Day (17 October) for the Eradication of Poverty (IDEP), namely, ‘human rights and dignity of people living in poverty’.

Income is essential to acquire material personal effects in this consumer driven world. The famous 17^th century philosopher Immanuel Kant posited that whereas material possessions are replaceable, dignity of the human beings is distinct and hence irreplaceable.

Prof. Amartya Sen is very categorical in stating that all development agenda must underscore ‘dignity of human beings’. His treatises on famines and social security, etc. are prime examples suggesting protocols for practicing such precepts.

Eric Maskin through his “theory of mechanism design” has demonstrated that to attain a given goal, suitable and appropriate mechanisms need to be designed.

UN (Division of Social Policy and Development) maintains poverty as “a human condition of deprivation of resources, capabilities, choices, security and power necessary for the enjoyment of an adequate standard of living and other civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights”.(42 words)

The bottomline is to move away from exclusionary to inclusionary platform of actions and deeds. The interdependence of three factors, namely, access to income, basic services and level of people’s participation makes or mars goal attainment, albeit with people’s dignity, of the economic stimulus package.

The received global wisdom and thesis is that faster economic growth is the only remedy to come out of poverty. The Planning Commission and all international development finance institutions subscribe to this flawed obsession and theory. In tune with the Eleventh Five Year Plan (2007-12) objective of faster and inclusive economic growth, some states, Haryana for instance, has added now a ‘social revolution’ spin.

The average year to year economic growth, such as in Haryana, during the period 1999/2000 to 2007/08 has been estimated to be about 8.67 per cent. The derived per capita income surely is higher than the notional poverty line. Under these economic circumstances consumption will soar to raise the volume in the own tax revenue kitty. This and other associated steps in public expenditure control template advocated by the Bretton Woods institutions lead to the much celebrated fiscal governance outcome of actions diligently taken under the fiscal responsibility and budget management (FRBM) circuit in the country.

The immediate question that will follow is at what cost to the society. The bitter truth, however, is that recently one in every four households in Haryana has been officially declared to be poor. Hence the nagging concern that the economic stimulus will impoverish more than ameliorate the targeted as well as the general masses.

Can it be mere neglectful that this new poverty estimate is different from the Planning Commission reckoning? Is this contradiction valid given the economic prosperity ushered in by the new ‘growth story line’? Should rise in poverty follow rise in income? Will current economic slowdown adversely impair all good work expected out of the social security law enactment or enhanced public expenditure?

This is grossly undesirable and yet a practical contradiction witnessed in a fiscally prudent and high economic growth state. If we consider attainment levels in the 18 targets of the UN millennium development goals (MDGs) the emerging social regression sends chill down the spine. How does one justify the feasibility of this paradox?

The paradox is made feasible due to the limitations inherent in the income measure of poverty. A poor delivery mechanism across programmes invariably explains the reality. It is explained also by the crucial interlocking mechanism between poverty reduction and human rights. Both are issues of societal rights and obligations rather than mere welfare or selflessness of the public institutions’ service delivery dictum. This query attains frightening dimension right across developing countries that is growing slower than the Haryana state economy.

A foolproof, transparent and painless mechanism to ensure comfortable access to basic public services is the answer. The social construct, for instance,does not follow a narrow and beaten path of ‘ceteris paribus’ so wantonly used in the economic growth calculations.

The social profile in liaison with the economic milieu does provide useful and crucial insights to the paradox. In a more functional term, however, current status of mechanism to access the delivery of myriad public services by the states vindicates feasibility of this inconsistency.

A more cerebral explanation to this absurdity is found in the ‘capabilities’ and ‘functionings’ treatise of the Nobel laureate Amartya Sen. Capabilities are tangible and intangible resources or endowments with the household, while ‘functionings’ are the activities, operations or performance rooted in the capabilities of the household.

Thus higher income should encourage better access (demand segment) to basic services and better functioning (supply segment) of the public delivery institutions. Latter has not happened and the former, given a chance, forcefully get articulated at the hustings. The economic stimulus package must address this dichotomous challenge. The interim budget of the central government did make a beginning by raising the threshold support level to the rural employment guarantee scheme and the rural infrastructure flagship scheme called “Bharat Nirman”. The urban renewal missions too see a heightened support along with a number of soft social sector schemes and programmes in health and education. Increased and higher budgetary support will only be one part of the stimulus package. The other part will be the triology of accessibility mentioned earlier.

Be that as it may, the apex 16 member expert group constituted recently (August 2008) in the union ministry of rural development must be seized of the quibble over numbers in all seriousness. Their task however has been made easier and feasible with the groundbreaking recommendations of the National Commission for Enterprises in Unorganised Sector (NCEUS) headed by Prof. Arjun Sengupta. NCEUS has estimated vulnerability of at least 836 million ‘aam adami’ spread across rural-urban spaces to livelihood and food security concerns in India. Cavil over numbers, in comparison, will merely serve the livelihood security of a handful of number crunchers.

We must recall here that the erstwhile PRSP intervention of the World Bank suggested that poverty data can and must be ignored. The current World Bank flavour, District Poverty Intervention Programme (DPIP) also suggests the same bold inference. The flawed enthusiasm for poverty data per se alone hence is misplaced and motivated. Hopefully, the 16 member committee appointed by the rural development ministry will not fall into this precipice.

At the recent UN meet fears were indeed, expressed about funds shortfall to successfully meet 2015 deadline for the 8 Millennium Development Goals. The current financial crisis sweeping the world is certain to heighten worries of donor agencies and the poor alike. Besides, paradox of increasing capital flow from south to north has already led to new belt tightening procedures in the development financing approaches. Market failures and abdication by the state of her leadership in the public service deliver domain is the intimidating backdrop.

Given the contemporary discourse, corruption in the delivery of public services must top the agenda. For example, imagine that the front level functionary disbursing the old age pension sum of say, Rs. 500 per month illegally demands Rs.100 per month as part of the rent for delivering the service. In a year the same person is deprived of Rs.1200/- on account of a miniscule proportion of the poverty reduction programme.

The Indian Constitution’s 11^th Schedule lists 29 functions for rural and 18 functions for urban development. Each element has a number of subgroups, either exclusively or in association with others, making engagement with poverty reduction challenges. The myriad and opaque procedure to access these functions only enhances rent seeking premiums.

The stimulus packages and high stakes do not necessarily yield automatic stimulus to basic ‘poor-performance’ services delivered by the public services system. The leadership, depth and spread of delivery by public agencies, it may be recalled, have no parallels and cannot be matched by private operators. Keynes and George Stigler demonstrated this a long time ago.

The West Bengal Governor firmly recommended that ‘Land cannot be treated as a dematerialised share certificate’ to ‘swing in tune with the Sensex’ as many poor people eke out their livelihood in dignity using diminutive ‘capability’ and ‘functioning’s.

The deprivation index based new approach of the Planning Commission may appear promising provided explicit measures to factor in access to education, healthcare and other basic services emerge in the public domain. We know that even the half measure outlay-outcome attempt by the state can bring relief to the poor.

The key challenge therefore is to figure out transformation pathways for public service delivery functions and functionaries. SAARC development goals makes a fervent plea towards this direction.

The bureaucracy and members of the local bodies will be necessary evils in any strategic measure attempting to engage with worrisome issue on poverty eradication. Their partnership in pelf must give way to progress for poverty eradication. Concentration on three entities – ‘competent authority’, front level functionary and their standard operating protocol – become imminent.

A partnership with sensitive civil society grassroots bodies has enabled a few of the ‘competent authority’ to transform the public services delivery mechanism. The authority specific SEA – service efforts and achievements – can be mapped to clearly correct a number of ‘service delivery disabilities’.

The functionary strength deficit has been mounting since 1995. The norms for these cadre level public servants are based on the 1951-55 vintage community development block days. At these dated norms the current deficit may range upto 40-50 per cent in most of the states. The concerted drive towards ‘outsourcing’ and ‘rightsizing’ have, albeit, worsened the situation.

The poor equity and efficiency observed in the public service delivery is fully explicable by the dearth of LOADS, namely, leadership, ownership, accountability, decentralisation and sustainability. Absence of LOADS, for example, explains why many high income growth states have high incidence of manipulation in the poverty reduction programmes; social regression far surpasses economic growth, implementation is mired in corruption. A poor service delivery protocol is the general outcome across India.

Increasing vulnerabilities in the society, ‘targeted growth fixation’ scenario amid market failure episodes have imparted a new spin of uncertainty to the delivery of basic services. These vacillations need to be now taken gravely because ‘aam adami’ will decide livelihood and food security issues of many people except the babudom and the number cruncher. This handful should not be allowed to tread on the dignity of people living in poverty.

When push comes to shove, public services must ensure easy mechanism to access. Failing which even the less than 2% of GDP demand (Rs. 58,000 crores) put forth by NCEUS as a bailout package may not suffice.

[The first author teaches and consults on Strategic Economic Management in Delhi and the second is an avid student of public economic analysis.]

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