Yamuna Expressway is always projected as a project that will reduce the time to travel between Delhi and Agra and the area around it will be developed for industrial and model township. But last month, we heard about it for a wrong reason. Agitation, arson and killing were linked to it instead of development and industrialisation around the expressway.
Now the question arises, what is the root cause for such an agitation that disrupts normal life not only of the farmers of Uttar Pradesh but also of Delhites. Apart from that, Indian Parliament also saw disruption of its mansoon session many times.
The bone of contention is the acquisition of land of the farmers for the proposed expressway and the model township to be developed by Jaypee Group by the UP Government. According to Land Acqusition Act, 1894, the goverment can acquire private land for public purposes. As defined in the act, Section 3(f) "public purpose" means building educational institutions, town or rural planning, residential purposes to the poor or landless. Moreover, it also include that land can be acquired for any premises or building for locating a public office, but does not include acquisition of land for companies.
There are two schools of thoughts which are prevelent among the farmers not only in that region but whole India as land acquisition is a India-wide phenomenon. According to one school, government is acquiring land for Big Businesses and not for overall development of that region. Moreover, some have reasoned that compensation is not good enough as it takes at least two generations to change your profession and lifestyle. Even government is not providing them any information or knowledge for investing that money. Ironically, only plus point is increase in the Excise revenue with the sale of Liquor and increase in the number of automobiles (Car and Motorcicles). Furthermore, resentment is brewing in the youngsters, they said they want to go with agriculture on their fertile land instead of being 4th class employ in the factory built on their land.
Second school of thought thinks that compensation given is not fair. They should be provided fair compensation at par with what is given in Noida and Haryana. According to them, government only gave 4 lakh per Bigha whereas government will sell that land at exhorbitant rate.
So, what will be the probable solution for this problem? Yesterday, TV channels like NDTV, ZEE News, IBN Live were showing debates on this issue and spokespersons of political parties like Congress, BJP, RLD, Left were there showing genuine concern about farmers. Ajit Singh, Rita Bahuguna and Naqvi with member of Bhartiya Kisan Union were unanimously agreed that land acquisition is a necessity but there must be some checks-and-balances so that the affected one will be adequately benefitted. Moreover, acquisition must be for the public purpose and government must not act as "Dealer" for big companies. Even, Land Acquisition (Amendment) Bill, 2007, which seeks to amend the 1894 Act must be passed as early as possible. Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi had assured the public in the epicentre of the farmer's unrest, Tupple (UP) that this bill will be introduced in the next session is a welcome step.
Land Acquisition (Amendment) Bill, 2007 which seeks to amend the 1894 Act and guarantee market price for acquired land. It also makes provision for social impact assesment studies of the development project and costs related to the resettlement of the displaced masses.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Thursday, August 19, 2010
PM Manmohan Singh, Independence Day and Common Man
On sunday, when PM Manmohan Singh ji unfurled our tricolour, lot was expected from him by the Common Man. But that resulted in a disappointment. His speech had everything from socio-economic problem to the high growth rate of development after the recession. But the stark reality is the increasing wedge between economic development and the Common Man.
Yes, this was the landmark occassion that he was only the third Prime Minister to have reached the seventh year in office. More significantly, he is the first non-Nehru family Congress Prime Minister to have achieved this distinction. But the story he told about growth and develpment after recession is more a repetition than new one. The work done by the UPA-1 government is more comendable than this UPA-2 one.
On the issue of Kashmir violence, he has presented only a political roadmap whereas the need of the hour is overall development of the region. Jammu and Kashmir need a plan which will create confidence in the people that Central Government has a genuine concern for the people of that region.
Similarly, our North- Eastren region also need holistic development. Our PM gave more emphasis on "Discussion and Dialogue" but the reuirement is more. Apart from that, region requires economic as well as social development. The aspirations of the people must be fullfilled then only the youth may leave the path of violence.
He had told Naxalites to abjure violence, come for talks with the Government and join hands with the authority to accelerate social and economic development. But to persuade them to leave violence is not easy. The Central as well as State Government must work in tandem for development of the neglected part of the country. Moreover, they work honestly to rise above their personal and political interests to meet this challenge.
Furthermore, the spiralling price graph, and even more so by the insensitivity of a government that suggests that inflation is a price to pay for growth make the life of the Common Man very difficult. Mr. PM has not suggest any measure taken in this direction.
Overall, I think our aspirations from Dr. Singh are very high and the apathy shown by the other parties in UPA-2 towards the policies led to the dismal show of him. Further, he did not deal adequately with burning issues like the situation in Kashmir, price rise and international relations.
Now, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi came from abroad and said that guilty must be punished after the CommonWealth Games, I think must boost the moral of the Common Man that in future she will look into other matter of importance.
Yes, this was the landmark occassion that he was only the third Prime Minister to have reached the seventh year in office. More significantly, he is the first non-Nehru family Congress Prime Minister to have achieved this distinction. But the story he told about growth and develpment after recession is more a repetition than new one. The work done by the UPA-1 government is more comendable than this UPA-2 one.
On the issue of Kashmir violence, he has presented only a political roadmap whereas the need of the hour is overall development of the region. Jammu and Kashmir need a plan which will create confidence in the people that Central Government has a genuine concern for the people of that region.
Similarly, our North- Eastren region also need holistic development. Our PM gave more emphasis on "Discussion and Dialogue" but the reuirement is more. Apart from that, region requires economic as well as social development. The aspirations of the people must be fullfilled then only the youth may leave the path of violence.
He had told Naxalites to abjure violence, come for talks with the Government and join hands with the authority to accelerate social and economic development. But to persuade them to leave violence is not easy. The Central as well as State Government must work in tandem for development of the neglected part of the country. Moreover, they work honestly to rise above their personal and political interests to meet this challenge.
Furthermore, the spiralling price graph, and even more so by the insensitivity of a government that suggests that inflation is a price to pay for growth make the life of the Common Man very difficult. Mr. PM has not suggest any measure taken in this direction.
Overall, I think our aspirations from Dr. Singh are very high and the apathy shown by the other parties in UPA-2 towards the policies led to the dismal show of him. Further, he did not deal adequately with burning issues like the situation in Kashmir, price rise and international relations.
Now, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi came from abroad and said that guilty must be punished after the CommonWealth Games, I think must boost the moral of the Common Man that in future she will look into other matter of importance.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
On the eve of 63rd Independence Day Common Man thinks.
On the eve of 63rd Independence Day we are eagerly waiting for the unfurling of the flag at the Lal Kila. Getting up early to listen to the prime minister speak from the ramparts of the historic Red Fort is like a ritual, one which I enjoy. But this year there is some anxiety in the masses , the prevelant atmosphere is not conducive for peace and harmony in the country. Therefore Common Man expects that Mr. Prime Minister will take stock of the vast socio-economic problems, particularly, of improving the lot of the common man consistent with his dignity and the unity of the natoin.
We are expecting that Mr. Manmohan Singh will handle the burning issue of Kashmiri Violenece. Today they do not want a mere political promise, according to them the movement was a retaliation to India's unfulfilled promise. They need a genuine concern towards the problem faced by the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Kashmiri youth need a holistic development of the state, so that they can live dignified life in a free environment.
Moreover, the Naxalites movement is also a cause of concern, politicians for the petty gains are fueling the fire. Mr. Prime Minister must also look into genuine needs of the tribal population of the country. Again they need a holistic approach for solving their problem of development and exploitation of the natural resources.
Forthermore, the rampant corruption that clogged the development of the whole India also need a look.
The controversies surrounding Common Wealth Games (CWG) tarnished the image of India in the world.
We are already at 84th position in Transparency International published annual Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2009. Definately, this will further lead India into wrong ladder direction on corruption Index. We need that guilty must be punished come what may.
Common Man also concerned for the rising prices of the essential commodities, and the Adulteration of food items.
In all, we do not need just a promising speech from our most learned PM Manmohan Singh. We need concrete solutions to the socio-economic problems faced by us. All the problems have some traits very much common . So, no problem can be solved in isolation. I hope we are not demanding too much from our Prime Minister.
Jai Hind
We are expecting that Mr. Manmohan Singh will handle the burning issue of Kashmiri Violenece. Today they do not want a mere political promise, according to them the movement was a retaliation to India's unfulfilled promise. They need a genuine concern towards the problem faced by the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Kashmiri youth need a holistic development of the state, so that they can live dignified life in a free environment.
Moreover, the Naxalites movement is also a cause of concern, politicians for the petty gains are fueling the fire. Mr. Prime Minister must also look into genuine needs of the tribal population of the country. Again they need a holistic approach for solving their problem of development and exploitation of the natural resources.
Forthermore, the rampant corruption that clogged the development of the whole India also need a look.
The controversies surrounding Common Wealth Games (CWG) tarnished the image of India in the world.
We are already at 84th position in Transparency International published annual Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2009. Definately, this will further lead India into wrong ladder direction on corruption Index. We need that guilty must be punished come what may.
Common Man also concerned for the rising prices of the essential commodities, and the Adulteration of food items.
In all, we do not need just a promising speech from our most learned PM Manmohan Singh. We need concrete solutions to the socio-economic problems faced by us. All the problems have some traits very much common . So, no problem can be solved in isolation. I hope we are not demanding too much from our Prime Minister.
Jai Hind
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