8 TIMES NATION THE TIMES OF INDIA, AHMEDABAD

MONDAY, JULY 10, 2017

Maha loan waiver Naxal violence claims GoM will

not to cover 17.5L
small farmers
Bhavika.Jain@timesgroup.com
Mumbai: The Maharashtra
governments ambitious loan
waiver scheme has left out the
weakest section of farmers in
the state.
There are nearly 17.5 lakh
small and marginal farmers in
the state who have taken a loan
of nearly Rs 2,150 crore in the
last two years from govern-
ment-recognized moneylend-
ers. However, their outstand-
ing loans will not be covered in
the Rs 34,022 crore loan waiver
scheme announced by the
chief minister. Farm activists
say the government decision
has left a large section of needy
farmers in the lurch.
According to data accessed
by TOI, there are over 12,000 li-
censed moneylenders in the
state who gave out loans
amounting to Rs 893 crore in
2015-16 and Rs 1,254 crore in
2016-17. An official said that
nearly 40% of farmers in the
drought- and suicide-prone ar-
eas of Vidarbha and Maratha-
wada rely on moneylenders for
crop loans. These farmers have
extremely small land holdings,
which is one of the key reasons
for them not being eligible for
bank loansbanks typically
keep farm land as mortgage
against farm loans.
Another reason for the
high dependence on money-
lenders is the poor banking
network in these areas. When
banks are inaccessible or con-
trolled by a privileged few and
are unable to dole out loans to
small farmer, they have no op-
tion but to resort to money-
lenders, said Vijay Jawand-
hia, a farmer leader from Vi-
Protest against
new e-way
intensifies
T he state governments
move to acquire farm land
for construction of the
Nagpur-Mumbai expressway
is meeting with increased
resistance. Some farmers in
Nashik have hung up nooses
on trees and set up pyres on
their farms to convey to the
government that they would
rather embrace death than
part with their land. The
protests follow the district
administrations
announcement of rates for
direct purchase of land
through negotiations and
saying that if the move fails,
forced acquisition will be the
only way out. TNN
darbha. He said that the num-
ber of farmers taking loans
from institutions other than
banks in the state may be much
higher, as data from unlicens-
ed moneylenders is not availa-
ble with the government.
The interest rate charged
by moneylenders for crop
loans ranges between 30% and
60%. Most farmers pay the
huge interest fo years while de-
faulting upon the principal
amount. These are farmers
who need small amounts for
their farming activity. The gov-
ernment should consider in-
cluding them too, said Ja-
wandhia. Subhash Desh-
mukh, minister for co-oper-
ation department, was not
available for comment.
12,000 lives in 20 yrs
Govt: Violence
Down By 25%
In Last 3 Years
New Delhi: As many as
12,000 people have lost their
lives in Maoist violence over
the last two decades, includ-
ing 2,700 personnel of the se-
curity forces.
According to a statistics
prepared by the home minis-
try, those killed include 9,300
civilians who were either
murdered by the Naxals, after
being labelledas police infor-
mers, or were caught in the
crossfire and became vic-
tims.
However, the violence per-
petrated by the Naxals has de-
clined by 25% in the last three
years, notwithstanding occa-
sional reverses suffered by
the security forces.
Casualties to security
forces also dropped by as
much as 42% during May
2014-April 2017 as compared
to May 2011-April 2014, a
home ministry official said.
The April 24 assault on a
CRPF road-opening party
that claimed lives of 25 per-
sonnel was the deadliest
since the April 2010 attack in
Dantewada, also in Chhat-
tisgarh, in which 76 person-
nel were killed.
The elimination of Naxal
cadres rose by a sharp 65%
and the the number of extre-
mists surrendering recorded
an increase of 185%, the offi-
cial said.
The home ministry offi-
cials said currently, 90% of
Maoist activity was limited
RED TERROR: The violence perpetrated by Naxals has declined by
25% in the last three years, notwithstanding occasional reverses
suffered by the security forces
approved for construction
Home ministry
in nine Naxal-hit areas at a
officials say that cost of Rs 11,725 crore.
currently, 90% of While 2,187 mobile towers
were installed for improving
Maoist activity are
telephone connectivity in re-
limited to 35 mote areas, 2,882 more are in
districts, though the process of installation.
they have a hold Altogether 358 new
banks were opened, 752
over pockets in 68
ATMs were installed and
districts in 10 states 1,789 post offices were ap-
to 35 districts, though they proved for opening in these
have a hold over pockets in Maoist-affected states as pa-
68 districts in 10 states. rt of the governments plans
To tackle the menace of to improve financial inclu-
left-wing extremism, the cen- sion in 35 worst hit districts.
tral government has The home ministry has al-
launched the National Policy ready approached the finance
and Action Plan comprising ministry for additional funds
security, development and en- for extension of several devel-
suring rights and entitle- opment schemes which were
ments of the local communi- executed in Naxal-hit states.
ties. Under this plan, as many The security-related
as 307 fortified police stations expenditure (SRE) scheme,
were constructed in Naxal- special infrastructure sche-
hit areas in last three years. me (SIS), integrated action
Besides, 1,391 km roads plan (IAP) and a few other
were constructed in some of schemes will be extended
the most difficult areas un- for a few more years if the
der the road requirement finance ministrys approval
plan phase-I. A total of 5,412 is received, the official
km of additional roads were said. PTI
decide fate of
AIs huge art
collection
New Delhi: The fate of the
priceless artwork collection
of Air India, acquired over the
past 60 years, will be decided
by a group of ministers which
is looking into the proposal
for the air carriers disinvest-
ment, official sources said.
The inventory of the thou-
sands of artefacts, compris-
ing works by stalwarts such as
M F Husain, S H Raza, V S Gai-
tonde, is still underway. In the
past year, 60% of the review
has been completed, they said.
A proposal was mooted sev-
eral years ago to display the art-
istic treasures at a museum but
the idea was gathering dust un-
til it was revived by the current
chairman and managing direc-
tor Ashwani Lohani. A mu-
seum was proposed to be set up
at the Air India building at
Mumbais Nariman Point.
A tender was floated in May
worth Rs 3.5 crore but the con-
tract was not awarded following
uncertainty over the airlines
future, with NITI Aayog then
mooting disinvestment of its
stakes in Air India. A Cabinet
decision last month gave its in-
principle nod to this proposal.
This painstakingly gath-
ered collection has its origins
two decades ago, after Air In-
dias maiden flight in 1932. The
erstwhile Tata Airlines, was
starting to expand its global re-
ach as a need was felt to create a
distinguishing image for itself.
Thus began a search for master-
pieces that would represent the
rich cultural heritage of India.
Over the decades, Air India
has accumulated over four
thousand paintings, which in-
clude works by artists such as
KA Ara, Anjolie Ela Menon and
Arpana Caur. PTI
Guj meet today
on rescue plan
for power plants
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
New Delhi: The Gujarat go-
vernment is scheduled to dis-
cuss with lenders on Monday
a future course for the Tata
and Adani groups imported
coal-fired power plants that
have fallen into dire straits.
Sources said the meeting,
scheduled in Gandhinagar, is
expected to be attended by top
members of the state admini-
stration, while the lenders
will be represented by State
Bank of India brass. It will
pick up the threads of last
months brainstorming ses-
sion at the Union power mini-
stry on ways to prevent these
projects, with a collective ca-
pacity of over 8,000 mw, from
turning into non-performing
assets (NPAs) for lenders.
In an act of desperation,
the promoters have offered
51% stake in the project to the
state government for Re 1.
They took the step after failing
to secure adequate tariff to
make up for higher fuel cost
due to changes in the coal pri-
cing policy of Indonesia, whe-
re both have their captive mi-
nes.
The power ministry has
taken the stand that it was a
matter to be decided by the
stakeholders, including the
state government, but it co-
uld do some hand-holding to
prevent further power sector
NPAs for lenders.
One of the options discus-
sed at the June meeting envi-
saged lenders taking over the
projects and transferring it
to the state government for
operation. The Gujarat go-
vernment suggested lenders
taking 100% equity for Re 1,
instead of the 51% offered by
the promoters.
It is not yet clear whether
Gujarat alone will take cont-
rol of the ownership or share
it with other states that have
25-year power purchase agre-
ements with the projects.
The change in ownership
of these projects, awarded
through tariff-based bidding,
will turn them into public
property. This will allow new
owners to seek suitable tariff
from regulators under 'cost-
plus' formula, which allows
any rise in fuel costs to be pas-
sed on, and make them viab-
le.
But this will not get the
promoters off the hook as
lenders have insisted that the
corporate guarantees given
by the groups should conti-
nue even after change in ow-
nership of the plants.
The Gujarat government
has also countered the offer
by promoters to continue
supplying coal from their
captive mines, the crux of
these plants becoming unvi-
able, and said it would prefer
to source its own fuel. The
state also wants state-run ge-
neration utility NTPC,
which has been asked to con-
duct due diligence, to be the
operator.
Government officials al-
layed apprehensions over the
scheme putting a burden on
consumers, saying the pro-
jects will provide power that
will be cheaper than alterna-
tive sources in case they are
shut down.

Two minors
among three
UP boy gets all-India 2nd rank after re-checking
Isha.Jain
Tathagat Bhatia is now packing his bags to fly behalf while I was busy
raped in Delhi @timesgroup.com
to the US as he has been selected for the
applying for admission to
colleges outside India, said
TIMES NEWS NETWORK Lucknow: Had his political undergraduate course at the University of Tathagat, who has scored a
New Delhi: Delhis infamy as In-
science teacher not applied for Pennsylvania where he will study liberal arts centum in mathematics and
re-evaluation, he would have history too.
dias rape capital was reinforced satisfied himself with a 98.5%
philosophy, cognitive science and mathematics Tathagat, who returned
when three brutal sexual assaults aggregate. But an increase of aminations (CISCE) Samir mother, it has been a tough from The Netherlands on
came to light on Sunday. three marks in political sci- Kumar confirming his all-In- journey for me. He has made Thursday, where he represent-
Two of the survivors are mi- ence, which upped his score dia rank 2 is in possesion of me proud in every way and ed India in the International
nors and the third a mentally from 97 to 100, made 18-year-old TOI. In ICSE (class X) in 2015, thanks to him I can face the Philosophy Olympiad, is now
challenged woman. Tathagat Bhatia, student of Tathagat had notched all India world with pride, said Sangi- packing his bags to fly to the
A 36-year-old widower was ar- Seth MR Jaipuria, all-India second rank by securing 99%. ta, a homoeopath. US. He has been selected
rested for allegedly raping an second rank-holder in ISC Unlike students his age, When TOI called Tathagat for the undergraduate course
eight-year-old girl in front of his (class XII) exams with an ag- who would jump with joy, to congratulate him, all he said at the University of Pennsyl-
teenage daughter at a railway col- gregate of 99.25%. Tathagat remained calm. was thanks. I am grateful to vania where he will be study-
ony gym in central Delhis Kamla An email from the educa- Tathagats mother Sangita my political science teacher ing liberal artsphilosophy,
Market. Another eight-year-old tion officer of the Council of Bhatia, however, was on top of who had confidence in me to cognitive science and mathe-
girl was allegedly raped by her Indian Certificate School Ex- the world. Being a single apply for revaluation on my matics.
fathers friend near Connaught
Place. A 38-year-old mentally chal-
lenged woman was allegedly
raped by a cab driver, who picked
her up from east Delhi.
GPS and new maps of the world
INDIA DIGEST
Sothebys to auction CITY CITY BANG BANG
the world before GPS, road maps were
an essential part of the glove compart-
ment. I can remember maps spread un-
deep red just as we roll in at the tail-end
of a massive jam.
Increasingly, the new technologies
3 more farmers commit SANTOSH DESAI tidily on the lap as some member of the of the digital kind are relocating us in a

suicide in MP, toll 45
T hree more debt-ridden farmers have
committed suicide in the last two
days in Madhya Pradesh, taking the
number of farmer deaths in the state to
45 in 28 days. Tekram Kurmi (48), owner
of six acres of land in Pipariya village, on
Sunday killed himself by jumping in front
of a train in MPs Sagar district. Simi-
larly, Jhalkan Singh, 33, consumed in-
secticide on Saturday in Vidisha. The
farmer, who owned 11 acres of land, was
upset after his crop got destroyed.
Another farmer Maniram, 45, consumed
insecticide on Friday in Ghusgawan
village in Morena. He had a Rs four lakh
debt and had failed to pay a Rs 50,000
electricity bill.
Anand actor Sumita Sanyal passes
away: Veteran actor Sumita Sanyal, who
essayed supporting characters in Anand
and Satyajit Rays Nayak, died at her
south Kolkata residence on Sunday.
Sanyal died of heart failure at around
10.30 am. She was 71. She had been
suffering from old-age-related ailments
for some time, her family said.
Born in October 1945, she is survived by a
son. Sanyal acted in Bollywood films like
Hrishikesh Mukherjees Anand (1970)
opposite Amitabh Bachchan and Guddi
(1971), and Gulzars Mere Apne (1971).
Gandhi portrait and T
letters tomorrow
By Meenakshi Sinha
New Delhi: An unknown pencil portrait
of Mahatma Gandhi, drawn from life and
inscribed by Gandhi, is set to be offered at
Sothebys London sale on July 11, with an
estimate of 8,000-12,000.
According to Gabriel Heaton, director
of Sothebys books and manuscripts de-
partment, Gandhi usually refused to sit
for formal photographs, let alone a por-
traitist, making this an extremely rare
portrayal of the political leader at work.
The sketch shows Gandhi writing with a
look of intense concentration whilst seat-
ed on the floor, and is inscribed by him
with the words Truth is God / MK Gand-
hi / 4.12.31.
Speaking to TOI from London, Heaton
added that the Gandhi portrait is one of
the many portraits drawn by artist John
Henry Amshewitz (1882-1942) and is from
the time when Gandhi was visiting Lon-
don for the Round Table Conference in
1931 to discuss constitutional reforms in
India. We are very excited about the pen-
cil portrait of Gandhi. Its a real find and
has never been in the market. The por-
trait was sketch- ed live by the artist while
Gandhi was writing a letter, said Heaton.
At the time of the portrait, Gandhi
had stayed at Kingsley Hall, a community
centre in Londons East End at the invita-
tion of one of its founders, Muriel Lester,
who had previously stayed in Gandhis
ashram.
Gandhi wanted to stay in the work-
ing part area of the city at the time of his
visit, hence the portrait was done during
his stay at Kingsley Hall, said Heaton.
This pencil portrait, which was in-
scribed by Gandhi the day before he left
Kingsley Hall, was given to a local resi-
dent who was closely associated with the
Hall. Apart from Gandhis portrait, the
July 11 London sale of Sothebys also in-
cludes a collection of unpublished hand-
written letters by Gandhi addressed to the
Bose family, a prominent Indian political
dynasty at the time. These are six letters
in lots and are handwritten, said Heaton.
The most important letters are ad-
dressed to Sarat Chandra Bose and in-
clude key comments on the partition of
mobile phone, the city
had taken on a virtual
character. The GPS was
digital bubble of GPS and youtube.
Mumbai for him was roads and build-
ings, and geography was a video game.
A pencil portrait of Mahatma Gandhi; and
a letter from Gandhi to Amiya Nath Bose,
son of barrister and Indian independence
activist Sarat Chandra Bose (below)
Bengal in the months before his assassi-
nation, providing a vivid impression of
the intense political pressures that Gand-
hi faced in his final months. Dating from
the mid-1940s, the other letters in the col-
lection affirm Gandhis continued love of
the Bose family where he recalls his visits
to their home in Calcutta and discusses
the future development of India with
Amiya Nath Bose, son of Sarat Chandra
Bose. Together, these letters have a com-
bined estimate of 23,000-33,000.
he taxi driver had absolutely no
idea about the city he called his
home. It had been 2 years since
he moved to Mumbai, but
he was clueless about the
most basic destinations-
Fountain, Nariman
Point, Bandra. His mo-
dus operandi was to hand
over his phone and ask
the passenger to key in the details of
the destination and
then he would blindly
follow whatever the
GPS told him. My col-
league who had en-
gaged his services
spoke to him and discov-
ered that while he con-
tinued to be closely con-
nected with his family
back in UP, thanks to his
that was now his home
real, it was the roads
that had stopped mean-
ing anything in a physi-
cal sense to him. He
lived in a settlement
along with other people
from his part of the world, encased in a
how we experience space, time and
even our own selves. The dependence
on GPS makes us detach from and even
GPS has not only transformed how
we travel, but it has also changed the
way in which we think of ourselves in
relation to the world. At its heart, the
ability to locate oneself in a moving re-
al time map is an extraordinary func-
tionality. With several other layers of
intelligence being added on it, GPS al-
lows us to make sense of and to use, a
world that is constantly on the move in
a variety of very useful ways.
In an earlier time, the compass was
armed with only one piece of knowl-
edge, and we found a way to navigate
the vast uncertainties of our world us-
ing the one thing we could know for
sure- the direction where North lay.
The map gave us a detailed two-dimen-
sional but fixed view of the world. Plac-
es now had names and locations. Today
GPS has helped insert time into space
allows us to frame the world from the
perspective of the traveller.
As with all new technologies that
begin to shape our lives, one wonders
how one ever got along without this. In
family tried their hand at navigation.
Only a few people seemed to possess
the ability to make sense of a map,
which were rudimentary in any case in
India, and smooth map-based naviga-
tion that a rarity. And of course, after
using the map unsuccessfully, one still
had to fold it back into its previous
state of impossible neatness.
But while the struggles with roads
and destinations might have been
more or less laid to rest, GPS also alters
moving map. We have descended into
the digital realm, abandoning our
perch as users of technology and be-
distrust our senses. We get pushed
back into our vehicles; having already
been shielded from the outside thanks
to air-conditioning we are now
hemmed in by knowledge, feeling no
need to interact with our surround-
ings. Like the Mumbai taxi driver, we
experience the world second hand. In
the case of a mismatch between what
we see and what GPS tells us, often it
feels as if it is reality that is making a
mistake.
With GPS, every road journey be-
comes a test that we need to excel at.
The drive becomes a battle against the
road as we try and take the faster route,
intent on saving those 3 minutes that
the GPS will help us with. Real time in-
formation, makes the future part of
the present and we need to juggle both.
We see what is about to happen, and we
get armed with the means to change
the script. Of course, the greater our
ability to look ahead, the more frustrat-
ed we get when the GPS reacts too late.
The blue line turns grey and then a
world where we can keep track of all
the multiple streams of our life simul-
taneously. Time is experienced hori-
zontally and does not have to wait its
turn to register; we can keep track of
people who mention us, events that are
of interest to us, conversations that we
wish to be part of , all the while living
our primary lives. The dot on the GPS,
the free flowing nature of timelines on
social media- our lives are now con-
cretely visual-
Getty Images
ized as cease-
less and simul-
taneous flows.
This means
that we are dis-
tracted eter-
nally, but we
operate as
command cen-
tres, keeping
an eye on our
multiple lives
and retaining
a sense of con-
trol over these.
Today, we
are a place on
the map. To be
more exact, we
are the moving
dot that inches its way forward on the a
coming embedded inside it. The act of
experiencing ourselves as technologi-
cal artifacts, standing outside the self
and watching its progress is a surreal
experience.
What is helps produce is an over-
weening sense of awareness about one-
self. We are aware of ourselves at all
times. Aware of ourselves in relation
with our environment, aware of what
lies around the corner.
Maps of an earlier era were invita-
tions; GPS is more like an instruction
manual. The map was a chronicler of
tantalizing possibilities. The map has
come to life today and its mysteries, are
now a little less daunting. GPS makes
maps less about exploration and more
about actual access; it focuses on what
we need from it. With GPS, destina-
tions speak directly to destinations,
and places on the way no longer need to
have names. And we are always at the
centre of our world in the moving cor-
ridor of the self.
santosh365@gmail.com