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Cow Protection row Overshadows Rational Policies
- Published on 08 August 2016
(Image courtesy:Central Institute for Research on Cattle)
“There are allegedly hundreds of Gosadans and Goshalas in the country, which actually do not exist, in whose names people collect money and eat it up,” stated Bollywood doyen, Prithviraj Kapoor, while participating in a discussion on Gosadans and Goshalas (cow shelters) in Rajya Sabha way back in March 1958.
Mr. Kapoor's comment elicited a wisecrack from the then Deputy Minister for Agriculture, M.V. Krishnappa: “Since cow is a dumb creature so many people are doing so many things in the name of cow.”
Fifty-eight years later, the issue of dubious people masquerading as cow vigilante has now been raised in a similar way by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In his maiden townhall with the public held last week, Mr. Modi stated: “I get so angry at those who are into the Gau-Rakshak business. A Gau-Bhakt (cow devotee) is different, Gau Seva (cow protection) is different. I have seen that some people are into crimes all night and wear the garb of Gau Rakshaks in the day.”
It is not known whether Mr. Modi, his bete noire of Chara Gohtala (fodder scam) fame, Lalu Yadav and other leaders have read the Parliamentary and Constituent Assembly debates on all that went wrong in the name of cow protection since the Independence. But what we all know is that the stringency and violence in the name of cow protection is nothing new. It has occurred under all regimes.
The obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) shown by a section of media especially TV channels’ on exposing publicity-hungry Gau-Rakshaks is relatively new phenomenon. This is diametrically opposite to its stance on Kuta-Rakshaks who pitch for safeguarding stray dogs at the cost of human lives. Though both types of vigilante group directly or indirectly contribute to human tragedies, yet media targets only Gau-Rakshaks. The media ignores or publishes as space filers tragic news about Kuta-Rakshaks'-induced killing of babies and kids by dogs.
Turn a Delayed Electoral Initiative into Big-bang Reform
- Published on 06 August 2016
(Officials wait to collect voting machines. Image Courtesy:PIB)
Decades-old idea of holding simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies (LS&SLAs) has gained currency with Prime Minister Narendra Modi pitching for it.
The fact is NDA Government is operating like all other previous regimes that chewed on this idea of restoring status quo in electoral process without taking any decisive initiatives within certain timeframe.
The proposal has thus been shelved, rejected, revived, debated and dragged on for decades. And the situation is also unlikely to be different during the current regime.
This is obvious from an official reply to a question on this issue put in Rajya Sabha on 6th May 2016. The Government answered: “The issue involved requires wide consultation with various stake holders and hence, no specific time frame can be indicated.”
The Government should seize the opportunity to restore status quo as it existed till 1967, the year till which LS&SLA polls were held jointly. If the Government succeeds in this direction, then the initiative can turn out be a big-bang reform. It would benefit the economy and national exchequer in big way. It would also save precious time and energy of citizens as well as of candidates and all political parties.
Imagine the impact of removal of elections-induced policy paralysis & decisions holiday on economic growth, employment and wealth creation. GDP might certainly increase by two percent annually if elections at the Centre, State and local government level are synchronized and organized together. The yearly acceleration to growth might be 1% if the idea of holding simultaneous polls is limited to LS&SLAs.
Streamline Multiple Mandatory CSR & Make it Sustainable
- Published on 04 August 2016
(Image Courtesy: GAIL)
“I come to another point. And that is regarding payment by companies to charity. I think it is a very good idea that the companies should contribute something out of their profits to charity, but in the clause it is stated, ‘charities and other funds’. The moment we introduce the words ‘other funds’ there is a great deal of loophole that instead of money being given to charities it will be given to ‘other funds’....I am afraid that under the garb of charities and other funds, the companies will be forced and persuaded to contribute to party funds,” stated late Kishen Chand, while participating in Parliament debate on Companies Bill, 1955 during September 1955.
Charity has morphed into corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the Companies Act 2013 & several other laws. Consequently, the challenge to fix firms’ social obligations has become complex and chaotic since then. And so has the risk of CSR-linked corruption and other irregularities.
The recent query from regional registrar of companies (ROCs) in States to deviants has to been seen in this context.
According to a story published in Economic Times dated 16th July 2016, ROCs have served warning to about 100 companies over nondisclosure or improper disclosure of their CSR spending, sending a strong signal that the government is very serious about compliance.
The story adds: ROCs “have shot off notices to companies asking them to furnish further details of spending in some cases or face action that could include prosecution as well, a government official said.”
Simultaneously, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) is trying to fix CSR issues through consultation and reforms.
Drop Idea of New Financial Year; Focus on Tough Reforms
- Published on 17 July 2016
The Finance Ministry pulled a dead rabbit from its hat on 6th July 2016 by announcing formation of a high-profile committee to “examine the desirability and feasibility of having ‘a new financial year’.” This idea has been revived, debated & buried time and again with zero outcome over the last 146 years!
Has the Ministry run short of reforms initiatives? Or does it want to flaunt the intended change in financial year (FY) as flagship initiative of Transforming India campaign?
The Government should reconsider its decision. The Ministry should wind up the committee before it settles down to work. Alternatively, the Committee’s mandate should be altered. It should be asked to study unimplemented and failed reforms in the financial domain and recommend steps for their revival.
This is the 10th time since 1870 that the idea of shuffling the start and close of 12-month financial year (FY) is being considered primarily to improve budgeting and governance. The ultimate outcome of the latest initiative is also expected to be status quo as unanimity on this issue is impossible to achieve as happened in the past.
Moreover, the intended change is not worth the web of legislative and administrative efforts that would be needed in shifting FY that currently begins on 1st April and ends on 31st March. The change might perhaps also require amendment of Article 366 of the Constitution as suggested by an earlier committee.