India pays through its nose for Nehru legacy 

 

 (Image Courtesy: JNU)

 

“Is it necessary to have a University of this type?  Indeed, if you want a memorial, there are memorials and memorials and is not the Kashmir problem a memorial that will remain in history. When six hundred States integrated (into) one State, when Jawaharlal Nehru interfered, (Kashmir) remained unintegrated and this country is paying through the nose for it and getting a bad name all over the world for that one little thing, for that one obstinacy and obsession of his.”

That was Dahyabhai V. Patel, articulating concern voiced by certain Members of Parliament (MPs) on Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Bill, 1964 in Parliament on 1st December 1965.

Both Dadhyabhai and his father Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Iron Man who united princely States into eternal nation India, would certainly be saddened in the Heaven. This is because the left alliance of JNU students and teachers has transformed the university into an incubator for anarchists, separatists and criminals.

Like Dadhyabhai, another MP, Mariadas Ruthnaswamy, would have been  flabbergasted, if he were alive and had read about crimes ranging from plagiarism to pornography that have taken place at JNU over the years.  

The university holds the dubious honour for topping all universities in realm of sexual harassments. As many as 25 such cases happened at JNU during 2014-15, according to University Grants Commission’s data forming part of Government’s reply to Lok Sabha question dated 14th December 2015.  

(Image Courtesy: freedigitalphotos.net)

 

 

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly assured foreign investors that retrospective taxation would not be revived. He has also promised predictable tax regime.

An official release has quoted Mr. Modi as stating “retrospective tax was a thing of the past, and a closed chapter.” He articulated his stance on retrotax at India-France Business Summit in Chandigarh on 24th January 2016.

In November 2015 while touring the UK, he reportedly stated: “We want to make sure our tax regime is transparent and predictable. We are also keen to see that genuine investors and honest tax payers get quick and fair decisions on tax matters.”

Mr. Modi's assurances are, however, unlikely to bring comfort to companies that are locked in tax and non-tax disputes under different bilateral economic agreements that India has signed with various countries or trading blocks over the years.

This is because the Government is determined to defend meticulously its stance on retrotax and other disputes with foreign firms at arbitration tribunals and courts. On 20th January, 2016, Finance Ministry invited separate offers from international and domestic legal firms to represent the Government in disputes under 3 types of bilateral pacts.

 (Image Courtesy: narendramodi.in)

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is perhaps attracting more eyeballs than ever for two reasons. First, he has started 2016 with a bang. He is scouting for innovations in governance to transform his rhetorical vision into robust, inclusive growth. 

He excelled as a dream merchant at a global business summit on 29th January.  He proved that he only loves to quote or twist data that scales up his image as leader with magical wand who can turn around slump into boom. Mr. Modi took credit for developments that originated elsewhere.

His notable initiatives in January include Start-up India, meeting with secretaries of different ministries in groups to get refreshing ideas on issues such as energy conservation & efficiency and Ganga rejuvenation. 

In his interface with officials, he has relied on project monitoring through a platform called PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation) that he launched in March 2015. The interactions have inspired favourable ‘leaks’/ ‘exclusives’ in media. News attributed to sources showed PM pitching for dismissal of non-performing officials and timely redressal of public grievances. 

Second, Mr. Modi’s natty pictures are the star attractions in the Government advertisements. It has lately become almost a daily fair at least in eight English dailies that I read.  His image glitters even in advertisements for events with which he is not directly associated. His image is becoming trade-mark for all advertisements and official websites that profile different government entities & their achievements. 

The advertisement blitzkrieg is unprecedented, which perhaps irked Jairam Ramesh into accusing Mr. Modi of indulging in “shameless personal PR campaign.”