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THE HINDU

6 Saturday, April 1, 2023

Editorial Delhi

Prospects for Dravidian renewal


T
he Madras High Court effectively gave Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Karunanidhi is a the steady but rapid rise of Hindutva politics
former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu legendary figure within the pantheon of the across the country. In this context it is important
Edappadi K. Palaniswami a shot in the Dravidian movement, scripting not only the many to not overstate the impact that the BJP has had in
Debatable indictment arm when it saw off, this week, an movie screenplays and poems that he was famous Tamil Nadu. Yes, having four seats in the State
Donald Trump’s indictment will interim challenge to his control of the All India for but also the political pathways chosen by the Assembly is better than having no seats at all, as
Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) DMK, whether it was to make fierce opposition to was the case for the BJP until the 2021 elections,
politically polarise Americans further issued by former Deputy Chief Minister and party Narayan Hindi imposition in Tamil Nadu a vector of mass but more important than the number of seats are
coordinator O. Panneerselvam. In February, the Lakshman mobilisation, or to act upon the imperative of voter attitudes towards the core values enshrined

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n a dramatic, but not unexpected, turn of
events, former U.S. President Donald Trump Supreme Court of India ruled that Mr. expediency and align with the Hindu nationalist in the Hindutva ethos, and the history of their
has  been  indicted  by  a  grand  jury  in  New Palaniswami would continue as the head of the Bharatiya Janata Party at the Centre during clash with the Dravidianist worldview.
York in the case of hush­money paid to adult film AIADMK and that Mr. Panneerselvam would have 1999­2004. On the essential question of religion in politics
actor Stormy Daniels in 2016, before the presi­ to abide by the decisions made during the party’s For Mr. Stalin, there is an unspoken pressure or religiosity as a way of life, few would deny the
dential  election  of  that  year.  While  the  indict­ General Council meeting on July 11, 2022. It is that rests upon his shoulders, and it stems from great distance between the BJP and the DMK. The
ment, the first one ever against a former U.S. Pre­ quite likely that these rulings might turn out to be the fact that performance in office and the same is true of caste composition in a historical
sident,  remains  under  seal  and  the  specific far­reaching decisions impacting the long arc of delivery of good governance through policies context — the BJP’s control of government in the
charges and the extent of evidence remain un­ State politics. impacting the citizenry’s daily lives, matter more Centre and the States is quintessentially the
clear still, media reports and comments by Mr. The reason is obvious: ever since the death of than ever before. This could explain why his perpetuation of upper caste power in many
Trump’s lawyers indicate that the charges could former AIADMK leader Jayalalithaa, in December government, on the balance of policy priorities, cases. 
include the fact that Mr. Trump’s erstwhile attor­ 2016, the party has been riven by factional has kept economic growth, investor confidence, Culturally, the BJP’s policies point towards an
ney Michael Cohen paid $1,30,000 to Ms. Daniels infighting, the surest indicator that her autocratic urban infrastructure, climate change, and other aggressive, pan­India, homogenising intent based
on the 45th President’s behalf, apparently to stop style of governance failed to nurture green shoots such areas of day­to­day interest to the common on specific Hindutva idioms, and these include
her from going public with the story of their con­ of leadership to take over the mantle after her Tamil man and woman in the foreground, while the domination of Hindi over regional languages
sensual (and earlier) extramarital encounter. Mr. time. The impact of the Court’s decision will be periodically reminding voters that on State and English, the subordinate social position of
Trump is said to have reimbursed the amount to considerable because after more than six years of autonomy concerns, including the National women and some minorities, and jingoistic
Mr. Cohen after he won the election, which was squabbling to capture power from the social base Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and Hindi nationalism that is, in its idealised format, hostile
then passed off as legal expenses. In this regard of the AIADMK — which also included V.K. imposition, the DMK would hold firm to the towards other cultures.
the charge in the indictment is expected to be a Sasikala and her nephew T.T.V. Dhinakaran — the values enunciated by its forebears during the Yet, the DMK and the AIADMK were built on
falsification of business records, but that is only a victor, Mr. Palaniswami, now has a clear mandate heyday of the Dravidian movement. the notion of social justice from the earliest days
misdemeanour offence in New York, not a felony. to take the party forward into the next election Regarding the AIADMK, there is no less of the Dravidian movement under Periyar E. V.
To prosecute Mr. Trump for a felony, the onus is with a firm grip on its ‘two leaves’ election pressure upon Mr. Palaniswami to redefine Ramasamy and C.N. Annadurai, a concept that to
on Manhattan District Attorney (DA) Alvin Bragg symbol, the support of an overwhelming majority himself as an able administrator of his party in a great extent focused on improving the social
to not only link the falsified bookkeeping to Mr. of General Council members, and the end of Mr. the aftermath of several years of internecine status and rights of women. Dravidianist political
Trump directly but also to show that the business Panneerselvam’s challenge for control of the squabbling within the party. He certainly mobilisation by its very definition sought to forge
records in question were falsified to cover up an party following his ejection from the AIADMK. delivered upon the mandate to perform a social rainbow coalition of a breathtakingly
entirely different crime. Speculation is rife that superlatively for the people of Tamil Nadu in the broad range of middle and lower castes, a
the crime that will be cited for this charge will be Back to the future realm of public policy when he held the Chief strategy that has kept either the DMK or AIADMK
a potential violation of campaign finance laws — Given the recent rulings, is Tamil Nadu set to Ministerial throne for more than four years — and in power for the past 56 years. 
yet, this is where the prosecution case appears return to its old model of two­party competition that he could do so while awaiting the resolution Similarly, both Dravidian parties have
less firm. Following Mr. Cohen’s claim that he had between the AIADMK and the Dravida Munnetra of deleterious intra­party wrangling speaks to the historically excelled at using the power of the
paid Ms. Daniels at Mr. Trump’s behest, there was Kazhagam (DMK)? The fact is that that old world clarity of his purpose and political vision, and Tamil language to mobilise voters and bring them
a question of whether Mr. Trump would be liable of nearly half a century of Jayalalithaa and former perhaps also to the negotiation skills that he into the fold – including not only the language
under federal campaign finance laws, which re­ DMK chief, the late M. Karunanidhi, going would surely have needed to forge compromises campaigns during the DMK’s radical phases of
quire monies received as campaign donations to toe­to­toe in an escalating competition to provide between AIADMK bosses from different regions anti­Brahminism in the 1960s but also former
be disclosed transparently and be subject to spec­ the population of the State with welfare goods has and representing variegated social groups. Yet, AIADMK head M.G. Ramachandran’s ingenious
ified legal limits. However, a federal investigation faded into the haze of the new India and its for Mr. Palaniswami too, the same paradigm shift use of Tamil cinema to foster an image of himself
into this matter was closed in 2019, which sug­ altered ground realities. in voter demands and public discourse, which as a paternalistic hero­saviour of the ordinary
gests that the weight of evidence here may not Several such realities are significant in this has led to expectations that the Stalin Tamilian.
have been compelling at the time. context. First, neither polarity of the Dravidian Both the major government will deliver economic prosperity and In a sense, the lines between the Dravidian
The  broader  question  underlying  the  indict­ movement has a leader that is beyond political parties, the social justice, will shape what he can and must do parties and the BJP have been drawn ever more
ment  is  whether  Democrats  are  scoring  a  self­ challenge. Consider the ruling DMK, headed by DMK and the as leader of the Opposition in the State, and then clearly now than they were during the preceding
goal. While more serious issues that could be po­ M.K. Stalin, son of Karunanidhi. While it is true AIADMK, face as a campaigner in the 2024 Lok Sabha election five years, especially with what appears to be
tential  charges  against  Mr.  Trump  are  on  the that he was elected President of his party and the 2026 State Assembly elections. frictions between the unified AIADMK and the
the challenge of
scanner of the Justice Department, including cer­ unopposed, and any potential challenge from his BJP. Which way the politics of the State swings in
brother M.K. Alagiri was swiftly seen off by the the steady but Saffron’s southern spread the coming decades has never depended more on
tain dealings of the Trump Organization, his role
party cadres who coalesced behind their leader, rapid rise of Nevertheless, the greatest challenge to both the core beliefs of its electorate.
in inciting the January 6, 2021 insurrection and
withholding  classified  information  after  demit­ the difference in context between Mr. Stalin and Hindutva major parties has come from beyond the safe
ting  office,  the  Manhattan  DA’s  reliance  on  the Karunanidhi matters considerably. As a five­time politics shores of the Dravidian movement, in the form of narayan@thehindu.co.in
hush­money case could end up as blowback for
the Democrats, especially given the dangers that
it will polarise Americans further and be seen as
pure  political  partisanship.  Mr.  Trump  will  of
course  extract  every  ounce  of  political  capital
that he can from what he has described as “polit­
India’s semiconductor mission might need a compass
ical persecution” and a “witch hunt”, and that
too will likely not favour Democrats in the 2024

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election. he United States Department of to revive the plant to a 180 nm node pilot line to in place at the SCL. In this scenario, an
Commerce and its Indian counterpart meet the strategic needs of the country did come investment of $50­$100 million may result in the
have recently concluded a memorandum by but the facility has, by and large, remained an development of Indian solutions for automotive
of understanding in March 2023 to ensure that unfulfilled dream in its mission of creating a electronics (EV traction inverters/on board
A busy season subsidies by each country do not come in the way
of India’s semiconductor dreams, as espoused by
domestic semiconductor ecosystem. SCL Mohali
can be viewed as a technology stack similar to
chargers), PV­Inverters, 5G infra­power
amplifiers, railway electronics (traction
All-format cricketers will soon have to the much publicised semiconductor policy Saurabh Dutta others such as Aadhaar, Aarogya Setu and the inverters), creating the Indian equivalent of
launched in December 2021. The U.S. Chowdhury Unified Payments Interface (UPI) acting as a force Bosch, Siemens, ABB, Mitsubishi Electric, Thales
choose one over the others Department of State has also engaged with India multiplier effect, encouraging many integrated and ELTA.
is currently working at

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t is the season of Twenty20 and just as the to beef up sector­specific export control laws in power integrations circuit design startups in India to consider However, the upgrade has to be backed by
inaugural Women’s Premier League (WPL) the semiconductor space — which India has (NASDAQ: POWI), and designing for India. subsidies aimed at fabless design houses with
concluded at Mumbai, it is time for the 16th agreed to, as in recent media reports. has 30 years proven design (sales of >$100 million per year)
edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). With While these seem pre­conditions in a long experience in The way forward willing to fabricate at the SCL in the 180nm+ node
Friday  night’s  clash  between  defending  cham­ dance orchestrated by bureaucrats on both sides, semiconductor The institutional framework for such a shift in (and possibly transfer process intellectual patents
pion  Gujarat  Titans  and  Chennai  Super  Kings will they lead to a global major such as Intel to fabrication focus already exists with the transfer of SCL back if they have any). The subsidies have to be aimed
(CSK) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmeda­ invest in India in order to set up a greenfield to the Ministry of Electronics and Information at global design companies with products aimed
bad,  the  IPL’s  annual  summer  tryst  is  back  in 300mm wafer fabrication plant costing over $10 Technology (MeITy) after a 15­year stint as a at India­specific markets such as motor drives for
vogue. Launched in 2008, the IPL has become a billion? The premise of this question is based on laboratory within the Department of Space, as BLDC fans or e­bike chargers. Unfortunately, the
money­spinning  brand  while  the  WPL  finally the ongoing two­year dance between Intel and part of the new semiconductor policy existing DLI/PLI schemes provide no such
found its feet with five teams. Women’s cricket in Indian government ministers who were seen announcement in December 2021. However, a incentives to proven global fabless design
India is carving a niche and it is a progressive step courting the Intel CEO at Davos, and New Delhi year into such an announcement, no joint companies.
as not long ago this brand of sport was deemed hoping that Intel Foundry Services (a business venture partner has been found, keeping SCL The recent efforts by the India Semiconductor
an afterthought before the BCCI bridged the gen­ unit within Intel formed after Intel’s takeover of employees in limbo. During this period, the focus Mission to open up subsidies to global small and
der divide. The board initiated corrective mea­ the U.S.­Israel based Tower Jazz Speciality at MeITY seems aimed at attracting Intel into medium­sized enterprises in the upstream supply
sures including central contracts, pay parity in Foundry) will build a greenfield plant, most likely India to set up a fab. This can be inferred from chain are welcome because an existing facility
terms of match fees and the WPL became an es­ in Dholera, Gujarat.  the wording of the request for proposals and like the SCL will benefit from this. But this is not
sential milestone. In the pathways laid by Diana The facts on the ground do not support such signalling from MeITY Ministers. However, Intel enough in itself unless coupled with the
Edulji, Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami, to name an eventuality in a world where Intel remains primarily operates at <22nm node and 300mm, incentives defined above and also upgrades
a few, the current generation of women cricke­ preoccupied with setting up fabs inside the U.S. requiring over $10 billion in upgrade cost to the targeted at different sets of players.
ters has also gained commercial heft. And when So where does Indian semiconductor policy need SCL. The stakes are high as a lack of clarity and
Harmanpreet  Kaur’s  Mumbai  Indians  won  the to go from here? The facts on the An alternate approach could be to leverage inaction may lead to India completely missing out
maiden WPL with a seven­wicket triumph over The Semi­Conductor Laboratory (SCL) was set ground, human and capital assets at the SCL to build on on the semiconductor fabrication bus, yet again,
Delhi Capitals, it was a significant moment in the up in Mohali in 1983 by the then central especially in what exists in a targeted manner, to jumpstart the unless there is course correction on incentive
history of Indian women’s cricket. With the Un­ government, with the vision of creating an connection with semiconductor mission by taking advantage of targets. Finally, to execute this vision in the next
der­19 team having won the World Cup recently, electronics ecosystem in an era when Keltron, the recent technological breakthroughs in a class of five years, the SCL needs a full­time director with
the  WPL’s  arrival  should  further  enhance  the Uptron and Webel were fledgling entities in a semiconductors that do not need advanced prior “More than Moore” foundry experience
Semi-Conductor
quality within the Indian ranks. pre­liberalised India aimed at consumer lithography equipment. The “More than Moore” than have a career scientist from the Department
electronics. However, shocks, of the opening up Laboratory, do segment of >180 nm node involving mixed signal of Space, as is the case now. This is because there
Just  as  the  women  rest,  their  male  counter­
parts are already busy with the IPL that stretches of markets for consumer goods in 1991 and a fire not support the analog (BCD and SiGe), wide bandgap (GaN, is a multifaceted market that needs to be served.
up to May 28. The 10­team championship can sap that broke out in 1989 at the SCL, dashed these country’s GaAs, Silicon Carbide) for RF and power markets
energy from the very best of players. Not surpris­ hopes. Some funding from the central exchequer ambitious plans leveraging existing lithography capability already The views expressed are personal
ingly,  ‘workload  management’  has  become  an
oft­repeated expression as the cricketers look at
the immediacy of the IPL while also being aware
of the World Test Championship final in England LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
and the World Cup in India, later this year. All­for­
mat  players  such  as  Rohit  Sharma,  Virat  Kohli No to dahi same breath, against minorities”, March a licence to practise seem unsure of the and the authorities need to
and  some  bowlers  have  to  make  choices  while The leaders of certain States southern­made films are a 30). The dissemination of medicine in India. It could examination format — act quickly to clear the air.
juggling between their IPL stints and India duties. taking offence to the big draw in the northern hate is threatening to be held next year, in whether it is ‘MCQ’ or The draft regulations for
M.S. Dhoni turning out for CSK at 41, is a testa­ printing of the word dahi on States. Does this amount to change the liberal secular January 2024. With nine multiple choice questions, NExT are supposed to have
ment to longevity. Equally, it is revelatory of the dairy products on the sacrificing Hindi at the altar polity. Bigots seem to adopt months left, medical and valuation by ‘OMR’, or been released by the
career  choices  that  players  make  these  days premise that it shall of other languages?  their own rules with only students face uncertainty. optical mark recognition. National Medical
through  staggered  retirements  starting  with promote Hindi is ridiculous Deepak Singhal, one end game.  Authorities in many colleges Students are just not ready Commission, but many are
Tests, then ODIs while keeping the T20 exit for and is the height of Noida, Uttar Pradesh R. Sivakumar, confused.
the  last.  A  Sachin  Tendulkar  playing  top­flight insecurity (Inside pages, Chennai Corrections  &  Clarifications R. Ilango,
The headline of a story on adult literacy programme (March 31, 2023) Kovilpatti, Tamil Nadu
cricket for 25 years will perhaps remain an excep­ “Will not print dahi on Aavin Court on hate speech needs to be changed to “Back to school: 22.7 lakh adults sit for literacy
tion as the present generation pick and choose curd packets: Tamil Nadu”, Hate speech is fast NExT and format confusion and  numeracy  skills  exams  this  year”.  Part  of  the  opening  paragraph
their formats. The latest IPL has drafted in the March 30)”. All States are becoming a routine feature Medical students confront should be recast to say: “... these are among the 22.7 lakh unlikely stu­
‘impact player’ concept wherein a team could ef­ gradually evolving a of public life in India. The another problem — the dents from 10 States and Union Territories who in a bid to be called ‘liter­
fect  a  substitution,  as  in  football,  and  use  the cosmopolitan outlook and rise of the right wing has conduct of the National Exit ate,’ appeared for the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment
star’s core skills unlike the usual cricketing substi­ generic names of products increased the insecurities of Test (NExT) that is required Test  for  2022­23.  More  than  40%  of  the  aspirant  candidates  were  from
Madhya Pradesh alone. Letters emailed to
tute relegated to just fielding. The stage is set and that originate in one the minorities (Inside pages, for admission to letters@thehindu.
new stars will emerge in a year during which In­ particular State are “SC slams ‘silence of state’ post­graduate medical The Readers’ Editor’s office can be contacted by Telephone: co.in must carry the full postal
+91­44­28418297/28576300; E­mail:readerseditor@thehindu.co.in
dia could eventually chase glory in ICC events. becoming accepted. In the on ‘vicious circle’ of hate programmes and to obtain address.
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THE HINDU
Saturday, April 1, 2023 7
GROUND ZERO
Delhi

Commuters wait to board a train at the Fort railway station during a nationwide strike in Colombo on March 15, 2023. Sri Lanka deployed armed troops as trade unions protested against the high income taxes imposed as a precondition for a crucial IMF bailout. AFP 

some other homes, parents are unable to send ment Authority, have issued letters and notices

A long and rocky road


children to school because they can’t afford the threatening  to  cut  water  supply  for  some  con­
transport costs anymore.” sumers who failed to pay their electricity bills,
The disparity, in Peter’s view, is also geograph­ even though the two utilities are handled by diffe­
ic: “We are a small country with enviable natural rent entities.
resources. But every youngster outside Colombo If it is hard enough to be poor in a booming
sees a job prospect only in the capital. Why can’t economy, it only gets much worse in an enduring

to economic recovery the government create jobs in other areas?”


For him, the real chances of recovery lie in ad­
dressing these glaring disparities and not merely
in securing billions in new loans. “I don’t get the
euphoria around the IMF programme. At the end
crisis, where even those minimal choices availa­
ble  to  the  poor  disappear.  A  debilitating  crisis
such as this has a multi­generational impact on
their  health,  livelihood,  education,  and  hard­
earned  assets.  The  World  Bank  estimated  that
The International Monetary Fund has approved a $3 billion package for Sri Lanka. When the government of the day, it is a loan for an interest, right? The between 2021 and 2022, poverty doubled to 25%
IMF won’t bother whether we recover meaning­ in Sri Lanka. During the same period, urban po­
implements the conditions stipulated by the Fund, it is Sri Lanka’s poor who will bear the brunt,  fully or not. What has changed for people to war­ verty tripled. A further increase of over two per­
reports Meera Srinivasan from Colombo  rant celebrations like this? More people are starv­ centage points has been projected for 2023. The
ing  every  day  and  our  leader  is  talking  about crisis  will  push  more  people  into  poverty,  and
holding grand Vesak (an important Buddhist fes­ those already poor into destitution.
or Sri Lanka’s ruling establishment and In Sri Lanka’s case, the IMF officially stepped tival in May) celebrations. We just don’t learn.”  The IMF and the government emphasise the

F its backers, March 20 was a good news
day. The International Monetary Fund
(IMF) finally responded to the govern­
ment’s distress call following the collapse of the
debt­ridden economy last year, by approving a $3
An outsider
would think
in as an arbiter of economic affairs in September
2022  when  it  reached  a  staff­level  agreement
with the government. Anticipating an IMF pack­
age, the government took a slew of measures, in­
cluding a pre­emptive default on its $51 billion fo­
The government’s exuberant celebration of Sri
Lanka’s 75th year of Independence also came un­
der attack from some. Detractors see no justifica­
tion for pomp when authorities postpone local
government elections citing the lack of funds, or
need for “social safety nets” to protect the poor
and vulnerable. However, Perera sees little pro­
mise in the new enumeration exercise underta­
ken by the government’s Welfare Benefits Board.
A questionnaire with 22 indicators will determine
billion loan aimed at restoring economic stability things are reign debt, a sharp hike in banking interest rates, seek urgent private funding to keep the country’s whether a family is poor enough to receive finan­
and growth. “Sri Lanka will no longer be deemed normal in a decision to float the Sri Lankan rupee (it depre­ critical ambulance service afloat. cial support. “This kind of targeting is cruel,” Per­
bankrupt,” President Ranil Wickremesinghe said our country. ciated from around 200 to 360 against the U.S. On the other hand, eager to project a positive era said. “You can own a small house, but still
during a special address to Parliament, project­ But many dollar), revise taxation, and increase fuel prices image to attract potential foreign investors and struggle to put a meal on the table, still drown in
ing the deal, which he desperately coveted, as a families are and electricity tariffs. tourists, both of which are crucial now, the go­ debt,  still  be  unable  to  send  your  children  to
crucial economic milestone. “We have the oppor­ skipping But Sri Lankans did not have to wait for the vernment  frequently  spotlights  the  indicators school because transportation costs are so high.
tunity to uplift our motherland again.” Sri Lanka austerity measures to fully kick in to experience that signal a version of recovery – more tourists, Targeted social welfare will also cut off many pe­
meals,
would “regain recognition” in the international the effects. They had been facing acute shortages increasing  exports,  vanishing  queues,  waning ople from future social security services.” Perera
arena, its banks’ letters of credit would be res­ pawning of  essentials,  long  power  cuts,  and  staggering protests, and declining inflation. argued that Sri Lanka must opt for universal so­
pected by international financial institutions, it jewellery or food inflation of over 90% for months in 2022. Authorities unfailingly highlight “reduced” in­ cial security instead.
would now be able to borrow low­interest loans taking loans The year saw the Sri Lankan economy contract flation, now around 50%, but the number belies
from other international financial institutions, fo­ just for daily about 8%, and crash. Coming on the heels of job the persisting economic strain on the consumer Resistance and recovery
reign investors’ confidence in the country would survival. losses and a drastic fall in real incomes during who still pays steep prices for food and other es­ Meanwhile,  the  government  appears  to  be  on
be restored, new opportunities would emerge, KOLIN PETER
the pandemic, the economic crisis pushed poor sentials, while incomes remain stagnant or have guard.  Trade  unions  protesting  tax  hikes  or
and the foundation to build a strong new econo­ Community citizens  into  existential  agony.  Depending  on fallen. Pointing to a “rapid erosion” of purchas­ moves  to  privatise  have  been  labelled  “disrup­
my will be laid, he said optimistically. worker and digital supplies available, families carefully chose what ing power, Colombo­based independent econo­ tors” standing in the way of stability and recov­
Wickremesinghe’s supporters rejoiced; some marketing to eat, and how much. Many others who could mist Rehana Thowfeek contended that over the ery. Police habitually tear gas agitators. Ministers
professional
burst  firecrackers.  For  them,  it  was  not  just  a not afford the food items had to consider which long term, incomes must be adjusted in line with threaten protesting “essential services” workers
breakthrough in economic recovery, but also the meal to forego or, worse, which child to feed. inflation  rates  to  maintain  purchasing  power. with termination of employment.
political redemption of an accidental president. Regardless of the government’s cheer over se­ “Last  year,  Sri  Lanka  had  really  high  inflation Most unions are not protesting the IMF pro­
The  United  National  Party  (UNP)  helmed  by curing the IMF programme, almost everybody in rates which meant the cost of living rose rapidly. gramme per se, but the specific austerity mea­
Wickremesinghe was virtually wiped out of Par­ Sri Lanka admits that it will be a painful year. But Now, the inflation rate is less than last year. A low­ sures that they associate with increased econom­
liament in the last general election in 2020. His there is considerably less acknowledgement that er, positive inflation rate means the prices are still ic hardships. Even so, Leslie Devendra, General
ascent  to  presidency  was  made  possible  only some citizens may feel the pain much more than rising, but at a slower rate compared to last year,” Secretary of the Sri Lanka Nidahas Sevaka Sanga­
with support from the party of Sri Lanka’s dis­ others. While poverty is hard to miss, inequality she said. The inflation rate measures the year­to­ maya (Free Workers’ Union), one of the country’s
graced former ruling clan, the Rajapaksas, who is convenient to ignore. year  change  in  the  general  price  level.  “This largest  unions  with  nearly  80,000  members
were dramatically ousted in a citizens’ uprising year’s price increase is on top of last year’s, so spanning the energy, electricity, mining, and civil
last year. While the diminished UNP is now repre­ Deepening disparity cost of living is in fact still increasing,” she said. aviation  sectors,  said  that  workers  must  “play
sented in Parliament in a lone seat, Wickremes­ For a tourist visiting any of Colombo’s upmarket The World Food Programme found that a third their part” and not “add to the problem” during a
inghe loyalists see his credentials as a crafty, re­ restaurants or bars, the crisis would seem a dat­ of Sri Lankan families continue to be food inse­ crisis. “Going to the IMF was a very difficult deci­
solute, veteran politician restored in three other ed story. Affluent residents throng these venues cure.  The  government  and  mainstream  econo­ sion to take, but there is no alternative to help us
letters: IMF. in their SUVs and comfortably foot big bills. Away mists see austerity measures as inevitable while get out of this mess. Our union feels we must face
The IMF deal for Sri Lanka — its 17th since 1965 from the music and lights, at virtually every traf­ reviving  a  battered  economy.  However,  these the stark reality of economic recovery. That will
— entails a $3 billion loan over four years based fic junction are men, women and children asking “austerity  measures”  look  different  depending mean everybody will have to make certain sacrif­
on  several  conditions,  including  arresting  cor­ motorists for money — a rare sight until the crisis. on whether they are abstract numbers from a se­ ices,”  he  said.  These  include  the  government’s
ruption. An IMF governance diagnostic mission There are “many Colombos,” pointed out Ko­ lective reading of macroeconomic indicators or move to restructure state enterprises by privati­
has started to assess Sri Lanka’s governance and lin Peter, a community worker and digital mar­ realities of daily life and basic survival. Inflation sation, which some other unions are opposing.
anti­corruption framework in the agency’s first keting professional. Peter, 29, lives in a high­rise figures, without factoring in real wages, are de­ “Whether enterprises are run under socialism or
such exercise in Asia. The government hopes to government  housing  complex  in  Colombo, ceiving. The country’s economy, after all, is that capitalism, they have to be run according to basic
tap more rapid credit, including from other mul­ where about 3,000, mostly working class, fami­ of its people. economic  principles.  Transparency  and  social
tilateral agencies such as the World Bank and the lies reside. They were all displaced from different The electricity tariff hikes are a case in point. dialogue are very important in the reform of pu­
Asian Development Bank. A year after defaulting parts of the city as part of a “beautification” drive Sri Lanka increased tariffs twice since the crisis blic enterprises.”
on its sovereign debt, Sri Lanka is looking to bor­ some years ago. “An outsider would think things escalated last year — first in August 2022 by 75% For Sri Lankans, the months ahead will be far
row more to stabilise its economy. are normal in our country… no more protests, no on average, and in February 2023 by 66%. “The from easy. A messy and likely long­drawn process
more shortages. But many families are skipping hike came during acute fuel shortages, when fa­ of debt restructuring with a diverse set of credi­
Global scrutiny meals, pawning jewellery or taking loans just for milies were struggling without gas, and food in­ tors awaits the government, while ordinary citi­
Sri Lanka’s political parties and civil society or­ daily  survival,”  he  said.  “Some  children  go  to flation had hit about 90%. Bills suddenly doubled zens reel under its “corrective” fiscal measures.
ganisations are mostly united in the conviction school just so they can have the mid­day meal. In or tripled, and consumers were threatened with Scores of people are fleeing economic depriva­
that an IMF programme is the “only way out” of notices of possible disconnection if they didn’t tion, looking for educational or employment op­
the crisis despite the agency coming under grow­ pay up,” said Iromi Perera, Director of Colombo portunities  elsewhere.  Official  estimates  show
ing global scrutiny for the painful aftermath of its Urban Lab, a think tank working on urban deve­ that  more  than  a  million  Sri  Lankans  left  the
programmes  in  indebted  countries.  Evidence lopment  policy.  This  coincided  with  the  huge country  in  2022.  “We  witnessed  the  Aragalaya
from  the  developing  world  shows  that  an  IMF backlog of bills accumulated during the pandem­ (struggle) last year. The protesters wanted Gota
loan is no “bailout.” Its “structural adjustment” ic.  “There  is  a  misunderstanding  about  energy (then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa) to go home
programmes rarely see countries decisively exit consumption  in  poor,  working­class  house­ and made sure he did. They also wanted a system
debt traps. In fact, critics accuse the IMF of facil­ holds,”  she  explained.  “Some  think  they  use change, but are we seeing that? The same set of
itating more external borrowing in already heavi­ about 30 units, but most families in an urban set­ politicians are calling the shots,” said Peter, voic­
ly  indebted  countries.  Economists  and  foreign tlement  use  between  100  and  150  units.  They ing  the  disillusionment  among  the  young.  He
debt  experts  around  the  world  have  also  been need fans, lights, a refrigerator. Families switched worried that despite a historic people’s uprising,
urging the IMF to suspend the use of surcharges, to electric rice cookers when there was no gas. the ruling class has returned to politics and busi­
in addition to potentially high­interest rates, ar­ The reliance on electricity grew even more after ness as usual. Meanwhile, ordinary citizens conti­
guing that these punish developing countries, ag­ the shortages last year.” nue to bear the ever­increasing cost of the crisis.
gravate their financial vulnerabilities, and act as Trade union members protest against the big hikes in taxes and electricity In what Perera termed the “weaponisation of “All that our politicians care about is holding on
sanctions on a country for being poor. rates, in Colombo in February 2023. REUTERS  the grid,” authorities, such as the Urban Develop­ to their power and wealth,” he said.
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6 . bl . think
MUMBAI

businessline.
SATURDAY ­ APRIL 1 ­ 2023

SATURDAY ­ APRIL 1, 2023


CAPITAL
IDEAS. Time to rake in 
Two cheers
RICHA MISHRA

more biomass in
T
he Biomass Co­firing Policy
is a critical step towards

thermal plants
meeting India's renewable
NCLAT raps Google, but not hard enough energy targets and lowering
greenhouse gas emissions
from the power sector. But still it has not
On the face of it, the ruling by the National Company been accepted widely. Why?
Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) on the Android As Secretary Power, Alok Kumar, at a
ecosystem seems to have struck a balance between
recent event said, that the Mission is a GREEN THRUST. To spur thermal power plants to use biomass pellets, 
new initiative which has a bright future,
the concerns of anti­competitive conduct by Google but the process may be complicated tech and infrastructure roadblocks need to be cleared
on one hand and the possible collapse of the tech given the various stakeholders involved.
“Though the progress is not as much as
giant’s business model on the other. But in reality, what was expected, but there is no need
the balance of power is still tilted in favour of the to give up hope,” Kumar had said.
American giant. Using biomass is still a cheaper option
than imported coal and hence an
Even though the appellate tribunal has economically viable alternative for all
upheld the findings of the Competition thermal power plants. The recently
notified Energy Conservation
Commission of India (CCI) that Google (Amendment) Act, 2022 specifies that
abused its market dominance to keep out all thermal power plants will have to use
smaller rival players, it set aside the renewable fuel sources either as energy
Commission’s four critical directions or feedstock. But there is still hesitation
among the generation utilities.
which would have given the Indian start­up The State Generating Companies and
ecosystem a level playing field. For Electricity Regulatory Commissions are
example, NCLAT has set aside CCI’s order still making slow progress in using
to allow uninstalling of Google’s biomass in their power plants.
Therefore, the Ministry of Power is
pre­installed apps on Android devices. mulling suitable provision which will
When dominant applications such as spur thermal power plants to use RAJESH N

Gmail, YouTube and Google Maps come biomass along with coal as fuel.
preinstalled on Android phones, it already The Revised Biomass Co­Policy of guidelines of the RBI. The biomass Indian Biogas Association, “Yes, in facilities, which can increase the cost of
becomes an entry barrier for new players. Ministry of Power dated October 8, pellets can also be procured through the principle, biomass co­firing reduces biomass co­firing. So, infrastructure and
2021, impacts sectors such as power, government e­Marketplace by the emissions from outdoor crop residue logistics need to be built so that biomass
Now, without the ability to uninstall coal, agriculture, MSMEs and the thermal power plants.  burning and decarbonises the process of can be moved and stored more
Google apps, users may not even download environment. Use of biomass in thermal The government is also working to burning coal to produce energy. In fact, efficiently.
a new application because smartphones power plants will not only enable resolve various regulatory hurdles in the in her Budget address in 2022, Finance Also, Biomass co­firing requires
come with limited storage capacity. generation of green electricity, it will sector like providing a Single Window Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that specialised equipment, such as biomass
also cut down coal consumption, create for statuary clearances via NSWS and switching from coal to biomass in grinders, conveyors, and storage
Citizens of a potential digital employment opportunities, reduce CO2 working on methodology for price coal­based power plants could cut systems. Additionally, power plants
powerhouse such as India need an emissions, reduce air pollution and help assurance/benchmarking of biomass carbon dioxide emissions by 38 million need to be retrofitted to enable biomass
environment of genuine choice. But the in achieving India’s global commitment pellets. tonne.” co­firing. Therefore, there is a need to
very nature of Google’s online products and towards 45 per cent emission reduction In addition, SAMARTH mission has But, India needs to focus only on develop and deploy the necessary
by 2030. successfully executed training events. surplus biomass. Biomass shouldn't technology and equipment for biomass
services allows it to wield tremendous All thermal power plants have been start competing with other existing co­firing.
influence over anyone with Internet access. directed to use 5­7 per cent biomass SUPPLY ISSUES assets. Surplus biomass can be identified The need of the hour is a robust
From influencing shopping behaviour to pellets in their plants along with coal. So According to the industry, a number of by looking at the status — if it is being regulatory framework that offers
determining the political destiny of far about 1 lakh tonne of biomass has surveys of power plants have shown that burned, decayed, or dumped, he pointed incentives and support for biomass
countries, Google (and some other tech been co­fired in 42 thermal power there are concerns among power plant out. co­firing which must be the foundation
stations. The Mission has already managers over the steady and consistent for the biomass co­firing policy. Also, a
giants) looms large over how we live in the published the Standard Operating supply of biomass. LOGISTICS CHALLENGES distinct, competitive market must exist
modern world. This dominance enables Procedure for co­firing and Model The availability and quality of biomass The transport and storage of biomass for biomass in order to ensure equitable
Google to act in a manner that is not just Contract Document for pellet vary across regions in India. While some can be challenging, especially in areas pricing and distribution.
anti­competitive, but also anti­consumer. procurement in order to facilitate the regions have an abundance of biomass, where infrastructure is inadequate. This The government on its part has
thermal power plants. others face a shortage. Moreover, the requires specialised equipment and formed five working groups under the
For instance, Google said it will enforce The pellet manufacturing sector is quality of biomass also varies, which can mission and these are inter­ministerial.
rules that require app developers on its Play also being encouraged to bridge the affect its combustion efficiency and The nuts and bolts are being tightened,
Store to use its in­app payment system demand­supply gap. There are now emissions. Therefore, there is need to
All  thermal  power but still need a push. It is a local fuel and
instead of independent payment systems. dedicated financial assistance schemes ensure a steady supply of high­quality plants  have  been even farmers make money. Also, unlike
for biomass pellet manufacturing units biomass to power plants. directed  to  use  5­7  per ethanol programme which has oil
This implies developers would perforce from MNRE and Central Pollution Biomass pellets are difficult to store at marketing companies working as a
have to use Google’s billing system, which Control Boards as well as easy plant locations for extended periods of cent  biomass  pellets  in platform, there is no intermediary here.
takes a 30 per cent fee for every transaction. availability of finance options from time because they quickly collect their  plants  along  with The Biomass Co­firing Policy needs to
Although the decision has been modified banks. moisture from the air, making them be backed by a strong policy and
unusable for co­firing. Only pellets with coal.  So  far  about  1  lakh regulatory framework that provides
after protests from developers, it suggests
overtly monopolistic tendencies.
PRIORITY LENDING a moisture content of less than 13­14 per tonne  of  biomass  has  been incentives and support for biomass
The government has now identified cent typically can be burned alongside co­firing. Also, there needs to be a clear,
Meanwhile, CCI has separately fined Biomass pellet manufacturing under coal. co­fired  in  42  thermal competitive market for biomass to make
Google ₹936.44 crore for abusing its Priority Sector Lending (PSL) According to Gaurav Kedia, Chairman power  stations sure that prices and distribution are fair.
dominant position with regard to its Play
Store billing and payment policy. Google
has challenged this in court. NCLAT’s
verdict on this crucial issue can have a
serious impact on India’s burgeoning
start­up ecosystem. There has been a rapid
Commercial judgments, and the ability to pay up
growth in deep­tech start­ups based on
high­end engineering. However, they need Courts must be mindful of the financial implications of their judgments on the parties involved
a fair market environment.
the largest of corporates would find and/or seek remedies from the higher
India’s courts could take a leaf out of the R Anand challenging to raise in the stipulated courts. But sheer impossibility of
European Commission’s 2017 order where time frame.  performance i.e. payment of this

O
Google was asked to pay $2.4 billion in fine n March 30, two independent The moot question is should a court staggering amount in such a short time
for exploiting its virtual monopoly over orders/judgments were look at the commercial feasibility of the raises the question as to whether the
search. The judgment is one of the few delivered, one by NCLT and the judgment before passing orders? The judgment should have considered this
other by Madras High court, with strict legal view is that in contractual aspect also to ensure “equity” and
serious attempts to bring the tech giant to financial implications of ₹1,337 crore disputes the judgment should restrict its “justice” in the limited context of
book. The NCLAT’s order confirms and ₹12,381 crore respectively.  scope to just interpret the clauses in the “Ability to pay” within the time frame.
Google’s poor record in upholding The remit of this piece is not to contract and pass orders. Nothing more Maybe an alternative could have been
competition rules. But more needs to be analyse in depth the merits of the and nothing less.  to refer the parties concerned to
respective orders nor comment in any JUDICIAL VERDICTS. Commercial But there have been cases where mediation where they could have arrived
done to manage these monopolies. manner on their correctness. The scope considerations  /ISTOCKPHOTO courts have gone beyond this and looked at an acceptable sum of money keeping
is restricted to whether judgments at equity and commercial expediency in in mind the paying entity’s ability to pay. 
should be mindful of the commercial passing orders. How do we strike the In the final analysis as India marches
feasibility of implementing the orders impossibility of its implementation.  right balance? towards becoming a $5­trillion economy
POCKET:  SUMMER OF ’23 RAVIKANTH before they are pronounced. To cut a long story short, this case has we need a closer look at how equity,
Speaking to a cross section of lawyers a long and chequered history from 1945, JUSTICE VS JUDGMENT commercial expediency and judicial
brought out divergent views on the and on the basis of this order Madras There is enough commentary on the orders are interwoven in matters
subject, so a discussion on it seems Race Club will have to mop up ₹730.86 difference between justice and relating to contractual commercial
relevant. crore within one month to pay the Tamil judgment. In matters of commercial disputes. 
In the case of Google it is learnt that Nadu government. Once the transactions a purely legal view of A committee should be set up to look
the matter will be taken up before the government raises a fresh demand contracts masks the commercial at this aspect closely and come up with
next levels. Nearer home the judgment within one month of ₹12,381 crore it has niceties, which in today’s context are so some long lasting and workable
delivered in the context of Madras Race to pay it up within two months from that important.  recommendations.
Club needs closer scrutiny more so from date. By any account these are mind The fact is that the party in question
the perspective of possibility or boggling amounts of money that even has to plead for staggered payments The writer is a chartered accountant

LETTERS TO EDITOR Send your letters by email to bleditor@thehindu.co.in or by post to ‘Letters to the Editor’, The Hindu Business Line, Kasturi Buildings, 859­860, Anna Salai, Chennai 600002.

Bankers’ dilemma problem accounts in time and across several banks, which sue the creators of the Coffee yield may drop


This refers to your editorial ‘Lending proceeds accordingly. Hence that requires immediate attention to Hindenburg report have remained With no sign of blossom and back­up
justice’. Bankers will never classify a natural justice is denied to fraudulent prevent a contagion from just threats and it does not seem showers in the coffee growing areas
loan account as fraudulent without borrowers is not acceptable.  spreading. likely that the group is going to of Karnataka till the end of March,
following due procedures.  TSN Rao Per the established practices, as take any action in the matter.  growers are concerned not only
Fraud is an indication of deceitful Hyderabad  soon as the fraud is detected, The cash strapped group has to about the drastic yield in drop next
acts not following the due bankers swiftly act, to impound the either put the brakes on many big crop­year, but also on the crop
procedures prescribed by bank and Minimising litigation assets and initiate criminal action ticket projects and delayed quality and possible pest domination
RBI. In fact wilful defaulter gets a With reference to “Lending justice” with the support of law enforcing payments for the take over of like WSB etc. Artificial irrigation is
chance to present his case, whereas (March 31), the apex court’s ruling agencies, denying the borrower’s other business entities. the privilege of a few planters. Under
the defaulted borrower can not ensures principles of natural justice opportunity to provide his The report does have some such circumstances, the only solace
argue his case. and with a due fraud establishment feedback. With this judicial credibility in the markets as even could be crop insurance. The Coffee
The apex court observed that a process in place, the rate of pronouncement and well­defined in the US allegations against Jack Board must contemplate on a
six­month period allowed under RBI litigations may be brought down.  process in place the litigations Dorsey ex CEO of the social tailor­made crop insurance to rescue
regulations to establish fraud is good Presently, in spite of the availability arising out of fraudulent matters platform Twitter has caused a the growers, who are already a
enough to allow for borrowers’ of judiciary backed resolutions and can be minimised. decline of around 15 per cent in beleaguered lot due to vagaries of
feedback. The banks always intimate the collateral support, the extent of Sitaram Popuri the stock value of his companies.  nature and high input cost, which has
the borrower on the reasons for wilful and chronic defaulters are Bengaluru Maybe the Adani Group wants to nearly offset much delayed price
being classified as fraudulent. growing. Though fraudsters play it safe. hike in the last crop­year.
In the case of insolvency resolution constitute a small segment, the Playing it safe Anthony Henriques Rajiv Magal
the onus lies on the banks to identify impact of their mala fide acts spread All threats by the Adani group to Mumbai Halekere Village (Karnataka)

Published by N. Ravi at Kasturi Buildings, 859 & 860, Anna Salai, Chennai­600002 and Printed by N. Vaidyanathan at Dangat Media Pvt Ltd, No. 22, Dighe MIDC, Vishnu Nagar, TTC Industrial Area, Dighe, Navi Mumbai­400701 on behalf of THG PUBLISHING PVT LTD., Chennai­600002. Editor: Raghuvir Srinivasan (Editor responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act).   ISSN 0971 ­ 7528

CM
YK . . . . . . . . BM­BME
>
OPINION 9
Volume XXIX Number 259

Reformative to
NEW DELHI | SATURDAY, 1 APRIL 2023 It held that all officials of a private bank operating
under the Reserve Bank of India’s licence would be
WEEKEND RUMINATIONS treated as government servants. Accordingly, they
expanded the state and the CBI’s jurisdiction to what
T N NINAN were until then purely private businesses.

R&D is made for India retributive justice E very now and then, like the Delhi High Court
orders in the UAPA bail case, you find a whiff of
fresh air from a court. Like the judgment by the

I
n his thoroughly engaging book (The Struggle and the Promise: Restoring India’s Bench of justices Pankaj Bhandari and Sameer Jain
Potential), Naushad Forbes underlines the message that has been the focus of his Two contradictory court judgments this week raise an of the Rajasthan High Court earlier this week, which
sparked this week’s National Interest. They freed
monthly column in Business Standard: The importance of innovation, and research uncomfortable question: Has the judiciary, from the trial four convicts on death row in the case of the Jaipur
and development (R&D). Within that broader discussion, he looks specifically at
how poorly India’s companies rank when it comes to R&D expenditure in relation to court to the Supreme Court, moved from a reformative serial bombings that killed 71 and injured many
more in May 2008.
sales and to profits, and how much they now lag behind companies in other countries.
This, despite India’s pattern of industrial development having started out as more tech-
institution to a retributive one? The four had already spent 15 years on death row.
All were picked up following the Batla House
nology- and skill-intensive than in the typical developing economy.

H
ere’s a proposition for debate: Over the past being made fairer to the defendant, as may have encounter in Delhi and suspected to be members
The book considers several reasons for this (restrictive government policy, small 15 years or so, our judiciary, from the trial been the expectation. of another module of the “Indian Mujahideen”,
size of companies, etc) but seems to settle on the verdict by Ashok Desai (a former col- court level up to the Supreme Court (SC) has Or, at least, the liberal expectation, because the which claimed the Jaipur bombings. “This is a clas-
umnist with this paper), that a major reason for the lack of technological dynamism in progressed — if you call it progress — from a refor- top court takes pride in standing up for the liberal sic example of institutional failure resulting in
Indian firms has been management. At the function to launch the book on Friday, mative institution to a retributive one. principle, the North Star as the current Chief Justice botched/flawed/shoddy investigation,” the judges
there was a brief discussion on whether this had something to do with caste. We aren’t just basing this on the fact that 2022 quite rightly describes it. How does this principled said in their acquittal order.
An article in The Economist magazine in January last year had looked at the caste was when India’s trial courts awarded 165 death sen- view square with not just the latest UAPA judgment,
composition of Indians who get to the top of big, tech-oriented American firms, with
Brahmins scoring very well. This contrasted (the magazine had pointed out) with the
caste composition of India’s “promoter”-driven corporate sector, where people from
tences, the most in a single year since 2000. That it but also what the same court, under various eminent
took the number of convicts on death row to 539. judges, has done to make the Foreign Contribution
This is the highest in 17 years. Now, we know that (Regulation) Act (FCRA) and the Prevention of
T he injustices these four suffered obviously
shook the conscience of the judges, who also
made a reference to the 2006 SC judgment in the
the Vaishya castes dominated. Could an explanation for the different approaches to most of these will be commuted and some acquitted. Money Laundering Act (PMLA) even more dracon- famous Prakash Singh (former top cop who’s been
R&D (the Forbes dichotomy, if you will), and which castes succeed where, lie in the All of eight convicts have been hanged in India since ian in the hands of the state. crusading for police reforms) case on the impera-
knowledge-oriented nature of Brahmin occupations, compared to the Vaishya/Bania 2000. Four of these for the “Nirbhaya” gang rape The Delhi High Court struck a blow for liberty tive of setting up a Police Complaints Authority
caste networks in India and their primary business focus on cash flow? and murder. Why, then, have our trial courts been on UAPA. While granting bail to Devangana Kalita, primarily to deal with such gross shoddiness and
so happy to pull the judicial trigger? Natasha Narwal and Asif Iqbal Tanha in Delhi anti- injustice. Rajasthan High Court's is a stirring order.
The author was not convinced, arguing that even the software services firms run
Let’s jump now from the trial courts across the Citizenship Amendment Act protests, Justices And while it is celebrated, remember the law that
in India by Brahmins spend very little on R&D. In his book, he gives the reason: They
country to the top court. Read this Siddharth Mridul and Anup J. enabled these policemen not only to get away with
are services companies, not product firms. While he is right, it is true that these com- rising wave of angry death sen- Bhambhani had ruled that UAPA these excesses but also secure conviction of the
panies have steadily upped their revenue per employee to twice or even three times tences with its latest order, sort of could only be invoked for what can four in trial court.
what it used to be. This tells us that they are doing much higher value-added work reinserting what it had read down be sharply defined as a terror act. No surprise that it was UAPA where, as we just
than in their initial days. in 2011, in the already draconian The Bench cautioned against the explained to you, the burden of evidence lies on the
That cannot be said across the board for India’s corporate sector, although it is Unlawful Activities (Prevention) cavalier use of the phrase “terrorist accused and not the prosecution. This, precisely, is
true that product quality has improved vastly (due in part to competition from foreign Act (UAPA). The three-judge Bench act”, saying that the definition was the law that has just been strengthened by the
companies). On their part, India’s pharmaceutical firms have succeeded in reverse- of justices M R Shah, C T wide and vague. Supreme Court. The contradictory orders, from the
engineering drugs coming out of patent protection; and the telecom firms have inno- Ravikumar and Sanjay Karol over- The Delhi Police rushed to the Rajasthan High Court underlining the perils of this
vated to deliver their services at extremely low cost. But these remain the exceptions. ruled the three earlier SC judg- Supreme Court, which mercifully draconian law and from the SC strengthening it
Why is this important? The answer is that India has followed, and is likely to con- ments that strengthened the prin- didn't interfere with the bail but further, have come in the same week.
tinue following, a development path different from that of the countries of East Asia, ciple that mere membership of a NATIONAL INTEREST stayed the operation of the judg-
which launched themselves with a flood of low-cost products from labour-intensive
factories. Success in these industries is unlikely for India because there is scale man-
banned organisation was not an
offence under UAPA. That to be SHEKHAR GUPTA
charged under the law, the alleged
ment. The implication is the judg-
ment cannot be cited as a prece-
dent in other similar cases.
I t is always a challenge to see a trend in the Indian
judiciary and to then find evidence to establish it.
One of the reasons is that the top judges, especially
ufacturing in only a handful of sectors, and they are not labour-intensive (like automo-
member should also be someone who has overtly In July 2022, a two-judge Bench led by Justice A the Chief Justices of India, have short tenures. This
biles). There is also a peculiar duality: The poor educational attainments of much of
participated in an activity organised by the M Khanwilkar set a new judicial principle by fining is unlike the top civil service and armed forces posi-
factory labour co-existing with an abundance of cheap, educated, white-collar workers.
banned organisation. a petitioner seeking a Central Bureau of tions as the key leadership of other institutions,
The latter have underpinned the success of services exports, which have grown rapidly The latest judgment has fully read this down and Investigation probe into a massacre of tribals in Election Commission of India, CAG, even Sebi and
even when merchandise exports have stagnated. Thus, we have single-digit growth for effectively empowered the police or probe agencies Dantewada, which he alleged was a case of extra- Competition Commission of India with fixed ten-
merchandise exports in the last two years, but 60 per cent growth for services exports. to pick up anyone on mere suspicion of association judicial killings. The court accepted the police ver- ures. Second, because they make their own
Ordinarily, the large deficit in merchandise trade would have pushed down the with a banned organisation. And once an individual sion that the killings were carried out by Naxals. It appointments, you can’t directly link it to changes
rupee’s external value and made low-cost, labour-intensive manufacturing competitive. is arrested on this mere suspicion of membership, not only fined the petitioner, Himanshu Kumar, but in elected governments and ideological regimes as
But the increasing flood of dollars from services exports props up the rupee and loads he/she will be hit by the full force of the UAPA, a also accepted the Centre's demand to let its agencies you do, say, in the US.
the dice against labour-intensive manufacturing, which already suffers from higher- law so tough, it reverses the burden of proof onto investigate the petitioners instead. It added that “the And third, because our judges neither have a
cost infrastructure and the absence of scale. Even if “China plus One” offers some new the accused and makes bail nearly impossible. This investigation may not be limited to charge of cre- clear career track like our civil servants, nor do they
labour-intensive opportunities, India’s trading success may lie more with value-added is guilt by mere suspicion of association. ating false evidence but may also invoke charges of need to face frequent evaluation by any voters
exports, for which Dr Forbes’s point about innovation and R&D becomes crucial. Reversing the burden of evidence means that the criminal conspiracy or any other offence under the or constituents.
This may not provide the many millions of jobs India needs, but the failure on the principle of innocent until proven guilty does not Indian Penal Code.” The only way we can assess and evaluate them
jobs front is a by-product of the missed opportunities of the past. Today, the future of apply. It is exactly the opposite: Guilty as charged, We can go further back still. In 2016, a Bench is through their judgments. Neither public
employment might lie, counter-intuitively, in agriculture if India can adopt higher- until you can convince the judges of the contrary. headed by Justice Ranjan Gogoi (not CJI yet) gave speeches nor obiter dicta. The evidence lately is a
The regrettable fact is, this isn’t an isolated case. another remarkable order that erased the distinction distinct evolution from the doctrine of reformation
value, employment-intensive farming practices that will increase productivity, jobs,
Over the past several years, we have seen the top between public sector banks and private banks, in to retribution.
and wages. For success in world-beating manufacturing, India has to invest in firm-
court lean in the same direction. Several laws, espe- at least one critical manner. Along with Justice P C
level R&D and innovation. cially some of the tougher laws in the larger UAPA Pant, Justice Gogoi expanded the definition of pub- By special arrangement with ThePrint. Bhadra Sinha
category, have been further strengthened instead of lic servants under the Prevention of Corruption Act. contributed to this column

Politics and governance in Himachal Pradesh Every living thing


account of land acquisition) and
demanded a solution within 30 days. He
to orphanages, for which there is a budget-
ary allocation. He spends most holidays
ousted from power after the Assembly
elections. On the other hand, he was also
EYE CULTURE Shehzad, who give up their dreams of
being body-builders to rescue and treat
got one in 26. The state is now following with children there and has pledged to a five-time chief minister, a two-term min- KANIKA DATTA injured birds. They finance this activity
the Old Pension Scheme. improve the establishments housing them. ister of state in the Union government, and by making and selling soap dispensers

A
The Budget has implemented many The chief minister knows what struggle a politician who became MP first in 1962. s India prepares to celebrate 50 from the kind of grotty tenements on
promises he had made in the election cam- is. He used to haul crates of milk to make Mr Sukhu had his own band of men but years of Project Tiger, its feted the edges of the city from which
paign three months ago: A ~1,500 per month a living in the early years and later gradu- they were always brushed aside because flagship programme to protect Delhiites prefer to avert their eyes.
allowance to women-headed families below ated to selling milk. When times got tough, of Virbhadra’s somewhat autocratic style the tiger, two movies that made it to This story plays out on many levels.
a certain income threshold, and a “cow cess” he became a watchman with the state elec- of functioning. the Oscars this year offer alternative Saud and Shehzad and their assistant
to fund a minimum support price for milk. tricity department, even got an offer from A charge against Mr Sukhu is that he has models of conservation. In doing so, Salik Rehman focus on birds of prey,
PLAIN POLITICS “The procurement of milk in the state is
chaotic. We will streamline it, offer to buy
the state electricity board for the post of a
TMate (equivalent to a helper). His father
begun to pack the government — and party
— with his own men, pushing aside those
they also raise uncomfortable ques-
tions about Indian society. One is The
kites mostly but also vultures (some-
times owls), which urbanites shun as
ADITI PHADNIS 10 kilos from every family, set up chilling was a driver with the state bus transport in the raja camp. He accepts and owns this, Elephant Whisperers , a 41-minute gem scavengers. The trio decides to set up
plants, and resell it in the market at a sub- corporation. He has been passionate about and says those who helped him in his polit- that won the award for the Best their own operation after efforts to

I
n March this year, days before Himachal sidy: We will recover costs by levying a cess improving the lives of the people he saw ical journey were cast aside by royalty and Documentary Short. The second is the have a kite treated at a local bird hos-
Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder on the sale of alcohol,” he had told Business around him. “Our life is very difficult. I just all he is trying to do is correct that injustice. poignant and thought-provoking All pital is rejected because, they are told,
Singh Sukhu presented his first Budget, Standard before the elections. want everyone to have an equal chance,” But this will inevitably have con- That Breathes, which was nominated the facility doesn’t treat “non-vegetar-
the National Highways Authority of India That is now a reality. The state is on a he once told Business Standard. “A man sequences. The Assembly elections were, for, but sadly did not win, the award ian birds” (revealing a shocking igno-
(NHAI) gave in-principle approval to a four- tourism-promotion blitzkrieg: Acknowle- should never forget his past, no matter how after all, won narrowly (Prime Minister for best documentary feature. rance, incidentally, since few birds can
lane road project from Shimla to Mataur, dging that the terrain of the state limits the high a position he may have attained,” he Narendra Modi told BJP workers they might Most striking is the fact that the be described as “vegetarian”, surviving
which is expected to cost around ~10,000 construction of airports, he is promoting tweeted on the day he presented the not have succeeded in forming the govern- human protagonists in both films rep- as they do on insects and reptiles).
crore, and another four-lane road project heli-ports — a taxi service operated by heli- Budget — and he came to the secretariat ment but had won the people’s hearts as resent people who have been increas- The ecological messages in this
from Pathankot to Mandi, to cost ~12,000 copters from Chandigarh that will put well- in his old Alto he had bought when he the narrow vote share margin testified). The ingly marginalised in India: Tribals and beautifully understated film are unset-
crore. To alleviate concerns that Himachal heeled tourists within half an hour of many became MLA for the first time. BJP is hard on the government’s heels. No Muslims. That message is less explicit tling and disturbing. As the camera
Pradesh could be headed the Joshimath tourist destinations currently hard to access. Virbhadra Singh, the towering Congress punitive action has been taken by the party in The Elephant Whisperers, which, at scans shots of kites trying in vain to
way, the NHAI will present a concept paper Manali is one of the places sought out by leader from the state, and Mr Sukhu were against anyone, not even former chief min- one level, can be viewed as a heart- soar above factory chimneys spewing
on how to reduce and prevent landslides visitors — but neither Kullu nor Manali has like chalk and cheese because they came ister Jairam Thakur, suggesting he might warming and uncomplicated story of toxic smoke or dodging the tangles of
caused by road expansion in the state and a hotel that qualifies for the five-star tag. He from such different backgrounds. try to essay a political revival. a tribal couple called Bomman and electrical wires that bring electricity to
invest ~300 crore in the project. is determined to change that. Virbhadra (and his family) was royalty. He Mr Sukhu’s complacency could lead to Bellie who brought up two orphaned squalid homes, and of pigs, insects,
Mr Sukhu is on a roll. He called offi- In the midst of all this, Mr Sukhu has was the last raja of the Rampur-Bushehr trouble. Factionalism is a luxury he cannot baby elephants in the Mudumalai lizards and turtles wallowing in large
cials to explain why several road projects been quietly doing something that has taken dynasty, and was the previous Congress afford. Governance alone is not the key to National Park. Entrusted to their care puddles of effluent, sewage and gar-
in the state had been held up (mainly on many by surprise: He is paying regular visits chief minister in 2017, when the party was a successful tenure — politics is, as well. by the park authorities, the two ele- bage, you begin to understand that
phants, Raghu, and Ammakutty, are urban pollution is a great equaliser. As
the only orphaned babies to have sur- one of the brothers put it, whether
vived into adulthood in the park. humans, birds, insects, reptiles or ani-

Finnish happiness versus Bhutanese happiness The film records the painstaking
care that the couple lavish on first
Raghu and later Ammakutty, captur-
ing the uncanny rapport they built
mals, all living beings breathe the same
air and struggle to adjust to the same
hostile environment. All living beings
also play a role in the environment.
satisfied, 10= completely satisfied). The Lithuania, which has steadily risen over Happiness (GNH) was ranked a poor 97th with their giant charges against the Without the despised scavengers, for
annual results of the report are always the past six years, from 52nd rank in 2017 in the Happiness Report. Bhutan is the last stunning beauty of the national park instance, the garbage mountain of
based on average life evaluations over the to 20th this year. France, by the way, standing Buddhist Kingdom in the world. with its wealth of flora and fauna. Gazipur created by humans would be
past three years. dropped out of the top 20 to 21. Until recently, it has preserved much of its Kartiki Gonsalves, in her directorial much higher.
Interestingly, there is a large gap In the 1860s, Finland suffered a famine culture by avoiding globalisation and stay- debut, chooses to relay the story Director Shaunak Sen insists his
between the happiest and unhappiest coun- that killed about 9 per cent of its popula- ing isolated from the world. Bhutan regu- through Bomman and Bellie and film has an ecological message not a
tries in the list, with the top countries being tion. It has come a long way since then as larly measures people’s quality of life, and mostly leaves it up to the viewer to political one but it is hard to ignore the
more tightly grouped than the bottom ones. the world’s happiest country. Three of its makes sure that “material and spiritual imbibe the multiple messages. latter. The despised birds of prey
For countries in the top 10, for example, Nordic cousins took the next consecutive development happens together.” And Note, for instance, that Bomman almost become a metaphor for their
national life evaluation scores have an aver- places. Finns can boast of myriad other Bhutan has done an amazing job of finding and Bellie are creatures of the jungle rescuers’ religion, increasingly dispar-
YES, BUT... age gap of fewer than 0.7 points. In the bot- number-one spots. In recent years, their this balance. The Bhutanese are generally too, and like many others have par- aged by triumphant political majori-
tom 10, however, the range of scores covers country has been named the most stable, happy, trouble-free and contented. taken of its gifts and its perils (Bellie’s tarianism. Saud, Shehzad and Rehman
SANDEEP GOYAL 2.1 points. War-torn Afghanistan and the freest and the safest by various orga- More importantly, Bhutan has one of husband is killed by a tiger). But steadfastly ignore these tensions in the
Lebanon remain amongst the two least nisations. These may be understandable; the most stable ecosystems in the world unlike thousands of tribals who were interest of rescuing as many birds as

T
he human resolve to be happy has happy countries, based on the indicators but in a country where temperatures reg- and the mountain kingdom has virtually summarily displaced to make way for they can. But politics intrude in the
remained “remarkably resilient”, used by the report. Both countries have ularly hover around (-) 20°C, and some no environmental damage due to its long Project Tiger national parks — includ- form of the Citizenship Amendment
says the 2023 World Happiness their average life evaluations more than five parts hardly get any sunlight for a big isolation. The restrictions on tourism and ing Kuno, once cleared for lions but Act and the riots that follow. As one of
Report. The report, which draws on global points lower (on a scale running from 0 to chunk of the year, what do the locals have Bhutan’s pro-active protection of natural where African cheetahs now roam — them says, communal hatred is not
survey data from people in more than 150 10) than the 10 happiest countries. to be so happy about? Finns, it is said, resources have let Bhutan preserve they are active and positive partici- new; but once a community is likened
countries, placed Finland in the top posi- Much of the top 10 remained largely enjoy simple pleasures — like clean air, its beautiful landscape, as well as its cul- pants, not victims, of the conservation to rats and cockroaches, it becomes a
tion for the sixth year in a row, with a hap- unchanged. Denmark safeguarded its sec- pure water and walking around in the tural identity. story. It is Bomman, also head priest question of hygiene and the scope for
piness score significantly ahead of all ond spot, while Iceland took third place. woods — to the fullest. Finnish happiness So why then is Finland No 1 and Bhutan of his village, who talks about the need reconciliation is near impossible.
other countries. One of the biggest jumps in the rankings is of the calm and peaceful type; it’s an at No 97 in the World Happiness Report? for human beings to show more con- And finally, there’s the question of
The World Happiness Report rankings was for Israel to fourth place, moving up appreciation for how things work and the Is the differential just because of the GDP? sideration for animals. His is the hard cash. The brothers clearly strug-
are largely based on life evaluations from five positions from last year. Outside the ability to pause and admire the little things Finland’s per capita GDP is $53,654.75, voice-over against shots of tourists in gle to raise money, but it’s to the West
the Gallup World Poll. The six key variables top 10, Austria and Australia took 11th and that are important in life. Bhutan’s $3,266.36. But to all appearances, the gas-guzzling SUVs that have come that they look for funding — no spoiler
the report quantifies are income (gross 12th positions, followed by Canada. Ireland Things work well in Finland: Public both the Finnish and the Bhutanese are to symbolise all that is least attractive alerts here on their experiences with
domestic product per capita), social sup- was deemed the 14th happiest, followed by services run smoothly, there are low levels equally happy! about rising middle class India. the FCRA. Yet, if more individual
port, a healthy life expectancy, freedom to the United States (15th), Germany (16th), of crime and corruption, and there is an GNH was originally a Bhutanese con- In dramatic contrast to the natural Indians chose to step up, there would
make life choices, generosity, and freedom Belgium (17th), Czech (18th), the United earned trust between the government and cept. The White Man embraced it with beauty of Mudumalai in The Elephant be more ordinary people like Bomman,
from corruption. And the most common Kingdom (19th), and Lithuania (20th).Year the public. All of this works together to much enthusiasm, and added metrics that Whisperers is the unlovely urban squalor Bellie, Saud, Shehzad and Rehman to
question to measure people’s well-being after year, the happiest countries tend to create a functioning society and a culture suited the West. But methinks Bhutan is of Delhi outside the upscale south that take the initiative to conserve India’s
is: “Overall, how satisfied are you with your be almost the same; for instance — 19 coun- of looking out for everyone. no less happy than Finland! What say? forms the unrelenting backdrop to All embarrassment of ecological riches —
life these days?” To answer, respondents tries out of this year’s top 20 were also on Interestingly, Bhutan, the original ini- That Breathes. It is about two siblings, and two prime ministers wouldn’t be
rely on a scale of 0-10 (0= completely dis- the list last year. There was one exception: tiator of the concept of Gross National The writer is managing director of Rediffusion Mohammad Saud and Nadeem the only ones hogging the credit.
14 NEW DELHI
SATURDAY
APRIL 01, 2023

Opinion
{ THIRD EYE }

E STA B L I S H E D I N 1 9 24
Barkha Dutt

{ OUR TAKE }

How to hold Big Don’t let Amritpal


Tech to account
Tweaks in India’s competition law can help
saga damage the
future of Punjab
ensure that antitrust action doesn’t remain a
mere slap on the wrist for Big Tech companies

I
n what has been a slow session of Parliament in
terms of legislative work, the Lok Sabha cleared a
much-needed change to India’s competition law. The radical preacher’s sudden leaked of him in our village.”
The Competition Amendment Bill, 2022 seeks to Like everyone else in Punjab, when I first
appearance, alleged ties to reached the state to report on the absconding
tweak the 2002 competition law, which lays down Pakistan, dramatic escape, and fugitive Amritpal Singh, I believed he was hid-
important guardrails for the market in India to be den away in a police safehouse to be brought out
fair, preventing participants from cartelising or video leaks raise unanswered at an appropriate time. How I wish that wildly
abusing positions of dominance. For a while now, questions. The episode eroded popular conspiracy theory was true.
As I travelled through the state, including to
the law was seen as being outdated, especially since State authority but cannot be the radical preacher’s last hideout, it became evi-
dent that the police, under orders not to use
the turn of the millennium when market dynamics allowed to cause further damage force or bullets, had messed up. Amritpal Singh
began to change with greater foreign investment in

T
he gates of the gurdwara in Nangal gave them the slip over a 25-kilometre-long car
the economy and the rise of digital businesses. The Ambian Khurd, a remote interior vil- chase, constantly changing cars, switching even-
existing competition law’s provisions were criticised lage in Punjab’s Shahkot Tehsil in tually from a Mercedes to a motorcycle. Since
Jalandhar, were locked. As the sun then, we have seen the Khalistani sympathiser
for being bureaucratic, lenient and vague. Last year, set over the wheat fields and children taunt the authority of the state with video mes-
a standing committee pored over some of the initial played on the swings in the distance, sages released on social media, while on the run.
provisions and came up with amendments that are one family was crouched inside, behind doors Amritpal Singh, who emerged in India sud-
they refused to open. This was the last known denly as the chief of Waris Punjab De after the
now part of the version passed by Lok Sabha (and Punjab hideout of Amritpal Singh, the Khalistani death of Deep Sidhu in an accident, modelled
will need to clear Rajya Sabha). sympathiser who came in from the cold, moving himself frame by frame on Bhindranwale, Amritpal Singh, who emerged suddenly as the chief of Waris Punjab De after the death of
Among the changes is the need for the watchdog, seamlessly and mysteriously from being a clean- almost like a method actor. That’s where the Deep Sidhu, modelled himself on JS Bhindranwale, almost like a method actor. That’s where
shaven lorry driver in Dubai to a manufactured similarity ends. Unlike Bhindranwale, Amritpal the similarity ends. Unlike Bhindranwale, Amritpal cannot command any significant section
the Competition Commission of India (CCI), to be avatar of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. cannot command any significant section of the of the street. There were only a handful of people who came out to protest in his support AFP
notified when the value of a merger or acquisition is I knocked on the door of the granthi’s street. There were only a handful of people who
above ₹2,000 crore. Previously, the thresholds to (priest’s) residential quarters to hear the voice of came out to protest in his support. Most Punja- gence has long tried to stir things up. A Hudson one of his associates. The police were widely
a terrified woman and her daughter arguing bis I met were convinced that he was some sort Institute report reveals the linkages between condemned for being weak and allowing this.
notify CCI were based on asset or turnover value, from inside. “Go away, we have nothing more to of plant, propped up to vitiate the environment Kashmir secessionists and pro-Khalistan groups But they remembered what happened in the
with there being some confusion regarding how say, we have said everything to the police.” An and pull their state back into the quicksand of its in North America. The longer Amritpal Singh Behbal Kalan police firing incident of 2015 when
either was calculated. The new law also speeds up attempt to get anyone else in the village of 342 past. “Mahaul kharab karne ke liye aaya hai (He’s stays on the run and cannot be arrested, the two Sikh men protesting against a series of sacri-
families to speak met with the same reluctance. come to spoil the environment)”. more it makes the State’s security institutions lege incidents were killed in police firing. Using
the approval process, setting a deadline of 150 days, Finally, the lambardar (community leader) There is a stack of unanswered questions pil- look weak. force at Ajnala was out of the question, they say.
down from 210, for CCI to pass an order; provides a agreed to go on the record with a chilling ing up. The top two among them are: Why did But most worryingly, Amritpal Singh’s direct Now imagine, if Amritpal Singh were to take
framework for the settlement of cases falling under account. Amritpal Singh had arrived with four the police not arrest Amritpal Singh from his appeal to the Akal Takht jathedar (high priest) refuge again in a major gurdwara, just as he did
armed aides and demanded food and shelter at house a night earlier, instead of chasing him Giani Harpreet Singh and his call for a mass con- at gunpoint in Shahkot village, and then look for
the law; and decriminalises certain provisions by the gurdwara. He snatched away the granthi’s down the expressways of Punjab? And, why was gregation of Sikhs on Baisakhi is a dangerous a deliberate confrontation with the security for-
shifting punishments to civil penalties or accepting phone, took a new set of clothes from his son, so he allowed to grow roots all these months? intermixing of panthic leaders and politics. We ces. This would be the police’s worst nightmare.
behavioural or structural commitments – aimed at he could abandon the blue turban CCTV cam- Even though there is now an element of farce, have been here before and we do not want to be Amritpal Singh triggers memories of Punjab’s
eras had caught him wearing, rested for 45 min- even comedy, to the Amritpal Singh clips, we here again. past. He cannot be allowed to impact its future.
improving the ease of doing business in the country. utes and left, moving from a motorcycle to a would be ill advised to underestimate the impact Amritpal Singh first hit the national headlines
But it is a fourth change that is most noteworthy jugaad, a makeshift vehicle popular in rural of his bizarre manhunt. For one, the authority of when he stormed a police station in Ajnala near Barkha Dutt is an award-winning
and timely. The bill seeks to expand the scope of India. “He had guns, the granthi panicked and the State has been eroded. Punjab is a border Amritsar, using the Guru Granth Sahib as a journalist and author
didn’t tell anyone what happened till the footage state, where Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelli- shield. His mission was to secure the release of The views expressed are personal
penalties by taking into account an offending
enterprise’s global turnover, not just the value of the
business it does in India. This is of relevance at a
provide templates for national, regional and linked with angel investors – akin to Startup
time when the technology industry has some of the Lakshmi G20-wide adoption and replication to scale, India. This could include facilities for funding
largest enterprises, with their influence as well as Puri especially in the Global South. Equally, India’s women-led micro, small and medium enter-
profits reaching across territories. Big tech players own gender equality project will receive a fresh prises, a women entrepreneurs’ finance Initia-
impetus. tive, effective gender responsive budgeting and
such as Google (Alphabet), Amazon and Apple are I have been associated with the W20 – the government procurement commitment.
under CCI’s scrutiny for anti-competitive practices.
One example on how the old law is inadequate was
captured in the case of Google, and its mobile
A historic leap to advance Women Engagement group – since its launch in
2015. It has been doing credible work in defining
and advancing the women’s empowerment
Two, the private sector could commit to the
UN’s women’s empowerment principles. They
would be accountable for gender equality within

India’s G20 women agenda


agenda of the G20, complemented by the G20 the company by recruiting and promoting
operating system business. In October last year, CCI women’s affairs ministers’ meetings. A dedi- women, in the marketplace through sourcing
imposed a $162 million penalty on Google for its cated working group is desirable as an institu- from women suppliers, and in the community
tional motor for gender-mainstreaming and through targeted corporate social responsibility
policies and practices relating to how it licensed n November 2022, when Prime Minister gender unequal historical, cultural, social, legal monitoring of implementation. spending on women’s empowerment projects.
Android to phone manufacturers, which the agency
deemed to be anti-competitive. This number was
less than 0.06% of Google’s total annual revenue of
over $250 billion in 2022 and a little over 0.33% of
I (PM) Narendra Modi accepted the G20 pres-
idential baton from Indonesia and declared
that India will give priority to women-led
development in its agenda, advocates of gender
equality and women’s empowerment were
and corporate norms, mindsets and stereotypes
– are slowing progress. The calamitous Covid-19
pandemic, and conflicts including the Russia-
Ukraine war, have triggered setbacks. Its dismal
prognosis is that gender equality targets will be
The G20 process and summit communique,
its eight finance and economy working groups,
a dozen workstreams and 11 engagement groups,
the other priority themes such as technological
transformation and digital public infrastructure,
Three, launch a women’s EDGE - Ecosystem
for Digital Empowerment programme – through
access to public infrastructure, devices, educa-
tion and skilling.
Four, promote a G20 green economy, LiFE
the revenue generated by Google Play (the Android delighted but not surprised. For, PM Modi has achieved in 40 to 120 years, not by 2030. green development, Lifestyle for Envi- and climate action campaign valorising and sup-
pioneered this concept, and passionately cham- India will push for the G20 group – ronment (LiFE) and climate finance, porting women’s leadership, especially at the
business) the same year. The National Company Law pioned and driven action in India and interna- which comprises some of the most pow- SDG implementation, and accelerated, grassroots, community and household levels.
Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) this week upheld the tional forums. He sees women’s participation erful economic engines of the world inclusive and resilient economic growth Five, launch a G20 gender data alliance on
penalty, but set aside key directions that would have and leadership as indispensable for national and with over 60% of its population – to com- – must all be gender mainstreamed. systematic collection, analysis, monitoring and
global sustainable development. He also believes mit individually and collectively to drive Women must be well represented in all evaluation of gender data and policies.
significantly impacted the company’s business plans that women’s economic, social, political, techno- decisive global action and investment in panels, mechanisms and G20 events. Six, agree on a G20 care economy compact for
in India. The direction in this particular case will logical, educational, skilling and digital, work- women’s empowerment in telescoped India The G20’s overarching priority of eco- valuing and reducing the burden of care work
now be decided by the high court.
Whatever the outcome, the proceedings
force and entrepreneurial empowerment and
freedom from violence must enable that leader-
time.
Any significant advance in women- Leads nomic and financial management and
resource mobilisation for global good –
for women, public provision of care services,
freeing them up for formal work and generating

underlined how enforcement of competition laws


ship.
PM Modi has portrayed women not as passive
led development for India’s “greater
50%” will contribute enormously to
G20 including crisis response which was the
raison d’etre of the G20 – must also be
one billion quality jobs and trade in this 21st cen-
tury sunrise sector encompassing child and eld-
could be limited to not more than a slap on the wrist, objects of development but as empowered sub- implementing the UN’s comprehensive gender responsive. The actionable out- erly care, wellness and personal care, and health
jects of it. Witness his affirmation at the Indian Gender Equality Compact. PM Modi has, comes and deliverables must target care.
especially when Big Tech is involved. Taking into Science Congress that its motive should be “to therefore, donned the mantle of a global pracha- speedier achievement of women’s empower- The G20 countries have a duty not to miss this
account global turnover will, therefore, be a key empower science by the contribution of women, rak (publicist) for Nari Shakti – as he has done ment. The dozen or so outcomes of the G20 once-in-two-decade chance of a host country –
deterrent, as it has been in other economies such as not just women via science.” He sought to create within India – and called for a mindset change summits so far – including the Empower Initia- the largest democracy with the biggest youth
a compelling narrative of Nari Shakti (women globally through the G20. tive to accelerate women’s representation, lead- cohort – being so invested in the women-led
the European Union, where Google has been hit with power) as the prime beneficiary and vital ena- India will no doubt seize the opportunity to ership and empowerment in the private sector development mission for humanity. They must
billions of euros in fines. In this sense, the changes in bler of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). showcase gender responsive policies, best prac- – need to be harvested and built upon. India make a historic leap of transformation for gen-
the law will help India’s regulatory regime catch up The United Nations (UN) says that the world tices and programmes pioneered within the could launch the following impact making G20 der justice and generation equality.
is lagging in achieving gender equality-related country to provide a life of dignity and equitable women lighthouse projects.
with some of the risks that borderless behemoths SDGs and targets. Structural barriers to access to opportunities for all women and girls. One, transformative financing initiatives such Lakshmi Puri is a former diplomat
such as Big Tech pose to market fairness. women’s economic empowerment – including These measures – targeted and transversal – can as a platform for funding women-led startups The views expressed are personal

and the Homeless World Cup. “I was so shy captains haranguing umpires, finger-point- { EDITOR’S PICK }
{ ANOTHER DAY } then, I couldn’t even talk,” she laughs. Now, ing and sledging.
HT’s editors offer a book recommendation every Saturday, which provides history,
she’s coaching close to 100 kids, 60 of them Indeed, playing with a team creates a sis-
Namita Bhandare context, and helps understand recent news events
girls. Her goal? “I want to give them the con- terhood, Anne tells me. “There are things
fidence to do something with their lives.” you can’t discuss with your family that you
India’s women athletes are on a roll. Four can with your team and your coach.” Who A DEEP DIVE INTO TRUMP’S WHITE HOUSE
world championship golds in boxing, a dou- better than your team to know about the

Acing the game: A great bles semi-final showing at the All England mutinies launched in countless homes ormer United States (US) president Donald

time for women athletes


badminton championship and, earlier in
August, a first judo gold at the world cham-
pionships. But it’s the inaugural Women’s
Premier League (WPL) that had everyone
fired up with 10 million new viewers watch-
where patriarchs question why girls should
play when their goal is to marry and run
their own homes?
The roadblocks aren’t just homespun.
Infrastructure and equipment, access to
F Trump was indicted by a Manhattan grand
jury on Friday, an unprecedented event that
followed years of investigations into his per-
sonal, political and business dealings. The exact
nature of the charges remains unclear but they
ing the finals on JioCinema, according to the sport facilities and information, financial stem from payments made during the 2016 presi-
he first time Anne Aiza Khan wore a “Families and society don’t allow us to OTT platform. support, safety, and the lack of women dential campaign to silence claims of an extramari-

T pair of shorts was at a football tour-


nament in Kolkata. The year was
2016 and although Anne had begun
playing the game three years earlier, it was
always in long pants. The daughter of a
wear shorts and play,” says Anne, 25, who
runs a non-profit, the Fairy Fari Foundation
that works with children in slums in Jamia
Nagar, Delhi. Cricket was Anne’s first choice
but the opportunity to play came with foot-
WPL has lit the aspirations of girls in
small towns and bylanes of the big cities.
Case in point: Saika Ishaque, 27, the daughter
of a domestic helper, who almost quit a few
years ago when she didn’t make it to the Ben-
coaches remain challenges, according to a
2022 study by Simply Sport, a Karnataka-
based foundation. Perhaps what is most
needed is just the sight of girls kicking a ball
or twirling a bat in community parks and in
tal sexual encounter with a porn star. The indict-
ment, the first against a former US president, may
jolt Trump’s bid to retake the White House in the
2024 presidential election.
This week, we recommend Fear by renowned US
housewife and a daily wage earner began ball as the non-governmental organisation gal team, but is now the breakout star of the gullies outside their homes. “We need to journalist Bob Woodward, in which he uses inter-
playing to “get out of the house”. None of her she was then associated with, Cequin, had a WPL. normalise the sight of girls playing,” Anne views, meeting notes and documents, to sketch an
seven siblings played any sport and though robust football policy. But it’s not just how sport empowers indi- says. Everything else will then fall into place. authoritative picture of the Trump White House, its
she had a tough time convincing an elder In the years since, the game has taken her vidual women, but what women bring to the chaotic functioning and dynamics, and the events Book Name:
brother to allow her to play, the freedom was all over India and to Oslo and Utah, where game, or what journalist Sharda Ugra calls Namita Bhandare writes on gender that shaped the Trump Presidency, and in many Fear
exhilarating. she’s played in tournaments for slum kids “the absence of testo-tantrums” that include The views expressed are personal ways, modern-day America. Year: 2018

R. N. I. No. 503/1957 ● Postal Reg. No. DL(ND)-11/6058/2018-19-20 ‘Licensed to post without prepayment’ LICENCE No. U(C)-113/2006-08, AIR SURCHARGE: Raipur and beyond by Rail or Road - Re 5/-, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Coimbatore, Chennai, Cochin, Goa, Hyderabad, Khajuraho, Mumbai, Trivandrum, Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada and beyond by Rail or Road - Rs. 10/-;

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BOARD: (011)23361234 ● EDITORIAL: (011)66561234 Extn. 1254, 1268 ● CIRCULATION: (011)66561111 ● ADVERTISING: (011)66561389 ● FAX: (011)66561270.

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If everyone fought for their
own convictions there Leo
would be no war Tolstoy

08 CHENNAI SATURDAY 01 04 2023


� �

T
he National Education Policy Everyone has skills. But that’s not the same as saying the than 3000.” What level of enrolment makes
(NEP) 2020 sets a template for a college viable? I would say 3000. If that’s
INDIAN EXPRESS IS NOT AN changing India’s education sys- market values those skills. There is the issue of whether the the figure, 96% of colleges should close
INDUSTRY. IT IS A MISSION. tem. Education isn’t a silo and higher education system delivers those marketable skills down. There is, of course, a public versus
— Ramnath Goenka has many angles—childhood and private funding issue. If a privately funded

‘EXIT’ THE MAGIC


pre-school (even ante-natal care), college continues to exist with an enrol-
school, higher education, voca- ment of less than 100, that’s not our busi-
tional and adult. Stated simply, this change ness. However, if public funding is involved,

AMRITPAL POSES THREAT and reform involve competition, choice and


better regulation, with the breaking down WORD TO REVAMP those resources have opportunity costs.
There is also the issue of the composition

TO INTERNAL SECURITY, of silos. If lessons of competition, choice


and better regulation have worked in other
EDUCATION SYSTEM
of that public funding. Public funding of a
student, through a means test and in the

DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS
sectors and liberalised much earlier, why form of scholarships and financial aid, is
should they also not apply to education, es- one thing; public funding of infrastructure

W
pecially higher education? Indeed, that’s and faculty and administrative staff sala-
aris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh’s separatist call what NEP has in mind. ries is another.
was seen as the pronouncement of a small business- How many higher education institutions Third, competition implies entry and
(HEIs) are there? The All India Survey exit. There have been additional entries
man with no links to the Sikh clergy or widespread of Higher Education (AISHE) for 2020–21 BIBEK Chairman, Economic Advisory into the list of HEIs, private and potentially
support like earlier Khalistan proponents. Not many tells us there are 1,113 universities, 43,796 DEBROY Council to the PM foreign. If there is an entry, there must in-
in the Indian security establishment took him seri- colleges and 11,296 standalone institutions. evitably be churn and exit in the process of
ously and treated him as a prophet in the wilderness whose Is that too few or too many? India is a churn and competition. Some HEIs must
voice not many would hear and heed. If anything, Amritpal’s young country. To tap that demographic close down. To me, that writing on the wall
rise was seen as a sign of Punjab’s Aam Aadmi Party govern- dividend, which won’t last forever, young seems obvious, but it’s a phenomenon peo-
Indians need better health and education ple rarely talk about. For instance, the
ment’s indifference to separatist elements. AAP’s election cam- outcomes. NEP document mentions the word “exit”
paign received considerable support from Sikhs living abroad. There is a lot of buzz about AI (artificial only twice, both in the context of a student
Therefore, not many were surprised when Amritpal arrived intelligence), and some of it is hype. AI can- exiting from a course of study and opting
from abroad to launch his campaign for Khalistan. But the sup- not completely supplant natural intelli- for another. As with schools, we need to
port he started receiving, mostly outside India, shocked the gence, though some jobs are prone to be determine what should be done with the
Indian security establishment. The tension between the AAP substituted by AI. Almost definitionally, AI existing infrastructure.
is a technology and capital-intensive, and Traditionally, the objective of higher edu-
government in Punjab and the BJP-led Central government also
the labour versus capital choice is a func- cation has been perceived to be one of
played a role in Amritpal not getting the attention it deserved. tion of the relative prices of both. In India, teacher teaching. At the risk of generalis-
While the central agencies kept a hawk’s eye on the new trou- even in the foreseeable future, labour will ing, the same notes are read out year after
blemaker, action against him was not taken with the urgency it be relatively cheap and capital relatively year, the same questions are recycled in ex-
deserved. What followed was a blame game between the two expensive, though the labour market has ams year after year, and students write the
governments, with the Central government blaming the state several slices, and there are exceptions to same answers year after year.
government for not acting against Amritpal. AAP cannot be this principle. Ergo, in India, we will gener- This sounds like a caricature, but it is
ally still use labour. largely the case. In statistics, people use
absolved of letting Amritpal grow into the force he has now That labour has to be trained. It has to the bell curve for a normal distribution.
become. Nobody knew of Amritpal until September last when possess skills. Every individual possesses Few students belong to the top 10% and
he visited Bhindranwale’s Rode village where, through his skills. But that’s not the same as saying that few teachers belong to the top 10%. For 90%
turban-tying ceremony, a Bhindranwale lookalike was created. the market values those skills, and there is SOUMYADIP SINHA of teachers, AI and digital universities
In some sections, he is now being termed as Bhindranwale 2.0, an important issue about whether the can take over. The objective of higher
though he has no religious following. present higher education system delivers reasons, this is not true. First, India’s rate need to plan for slowing population growth. education is one of student learning, not
those marketable skills. of population growth is slowing down. It is Many states have had to rationalise and teacher teaching, and in 90% of cases, AI
The state government was aware of his activities since arriv-
The correlation between higher educa- an annual rate of 0.8% now. The absolute close down schools since there aren’t and digital universities can perform that
ing from Dubai but did not take them seriously. That Amritpal tion and skills is not that strong except for number of children in the age group of 0–15 enough students. Notwithstanding a possi- function better.
was in touch with Jaswant Singh Rode, whose brother Lakhbir professional courses. In the age group of has declined. The absolute number, not ble increase in GER, that will also happen In other words, not only must there be an
Singh Rode is the head of the International Sikh Youth Federa- 18–23, AISHE tells us GER (gross enrolment merely the ratio. The Hunter Commission for HEIs. Access to higher education doesn’t exit for HEIs, but there must also be an exit
tion and is involved in smuggling drugs into India, was well ratio) is 27.3. It is a little higher for females, Report (1882–83) makes for interesting read- mean we have HEIs in every district, per- for the bulk of teachers, a fact difficult to
established. Same with the fact that the Khalistan movement is and GER has been increasing over time, as ing on how the higher education system haps every block, with a wonderful infra- accept. It shouldn’t be a surprise that, bar-
it should. The decline in work participation came to be developed under the British. The structure but no students and faculty. ring a few, Indian HEIs do not do that well
funded largely by NRIs from the US, the UK, Canada and Aus-
rates in those age groups is partly due to first three modern universities were set up Second, there is a great deal of heteroge- in global rankings. Some countries have de-
tralia. Despite these known facts, Amritpal continued to propa- increased enrolment. What kind of GER in Bombay, Calcutta and Madras. In 1951, I neity in HEIs. Let me quote from AISHE. liberately targeted improvements in global
gate his divisive ideology. As a result, there are protests world- should we aspire towards? I guess some- think there were 30 universities and 695 col- “Majority of colleges are smaller in terms rankings, focusing not only on infrastruc-
wide against the crackdown on his supporters and the manhunt thing like 50%. leges. (To get accurate figures, there was of enrolment. 24.5% of the colleges have ture but international students and faculty
launched against him. The government of India had to summon At the time of entry to HEIs, we hear nothing like AISHE then.) enrolment less than 100, and 48.5% have a too. (Think of Singapore.) In the churning
foreign envoys to control the activities of Sikh separatists in about scrambles for admission and student In the decades since Independence, we student strength of 100 to 500 which means of the ocean, there was poison too. Exit is
their countries. India’s political parties must set aside their suicides. Therefore, one might be tempted planned for increasing population, be it that 65.1% enrol less than 500 students. Only the poison in this churn.
to conclude we need more HEIs. For three through more schools or HEIs. We now 4% of colleges have an enrolment of more (bibek.debroy@gov.in)
differences and act swiftly and decisively against the separatist
elements. Activities of people like Amritpal are causing trouble
for the community, which does not subscribe to his views.

EVOLVE FAIR FEE SYSTEM


RISK OF AI NOT NEEDING
FOR DIGITALPAYMENTS HUMANS TO IMPROVE ITSELF Poll freebies
Apropos of Money muscles its way in as
parties woo voters with freebies in K’taka

U
(Mar 31). The battle lines have been drawn

I
ser charges on UPI transactions created a flutter this week. t’s a blast from the past. This with the announcement of poll dates. This
While the government quickly dismissed concerns, the week, at least 200 AI services election is a litmus test to show how relevant
went on the market, and at the Congress or JDS still is. The errant politicians
uncomfortable question is whether a free-forever model is
same time, the Future of Life In- resorted to fraudulent practices to woo
possible or even desirable. It’s no secret that the RBI wants stitute issued an open letter head- voters. It is for the honest voters to use the
PRATIK Editor of The India Cable
to streamline charges for different payment services. It lined ‘Pause Giant AI Experi- cVigil app to lodge a complaint.
KANJILAL
released a discussion paper last August and followed it up in ments’. Released on Wednesday Haribandhu Panigrahi, Tarbha
December, but the finance ministry shot it off, insisting that a and signed by over 1,000 technologists and
fee on UPI services wasn’t on the cards and extended financial researchers, it seeks a moratorium on the SPEAKEASY Rude conductors
support for the digital payments ecosystem. But what’s free for arms race in AI, driven by the reckless crea- Apropos of Bus passenger awarded `25k for
tion and adoption of AI tools which present rude behaviour of RTC conductor (Mar 31).
one involves a cost for someone else. Even though UPI person- “profound risks to society and humanity”. with chatbots which accept natural lan- ing prompts with harmful consequences. The behaviour of many conductors needs
merchant transactions are free, as per RBI’s calculations, differ- The people who have signed off include guage prompts, you only have to think like For information on bomb-making, you’ll to change and a polite attitude should be
ent stakeholders collectively incur `2 on `800 worth of transac- Elon Musk, Steve Wozniak and Rachel a programmer, not be one, to take the tech- still have to rely on The Anarchist’s Cook- inculcated through counseling sessions by
tions. In other words, UPI as a funds transfer system is much Bronson, president of the Bulletin of the nicals out of cultural production. As a cor- book, the same as in the 1990s. Requests for experts in HRD. It is also shocking that some
like IMPS; so, it’s argued that similar charges apply to UPI. RBI Atomic Scientists, which runs one of the ollary, of course, the average programmer ready-made hate speech, suitable for troll vacant buses do not stop for passengers
had even proposed a tiered charge on different transactions. oldest cautionary services of the nuclear is redundant. armies, will be blocked. But what about a waiting at the stands. Passengers and bus
and digital era, the Doomsday Clock. They cleverly crafted theoretical question about services are interdependent on each other.
But then, the zero-cost model helped swell the UPI user base
call for a stop to training AIs on massive methods of suicide, which could have prac- Katuru Durga Prasad Rao, Hyderabad
so phenomenally since its launch seven years ago. As per the systems like ChatGPT, Microsoft’s Bing tical applications? Will the AI direct the
Economic Survey 2022–23, India has the highest fintech adoption and Google’s Bard for at least six months user to a suicide helpline? Apology needed
rate of 87% against the global average of 64%, thanks to UPI while the industry and governments pon- An obvious effect of AI is hardly being However draconian the court’s ruling against
transactions that shot up an average of 121% in value and 115% der its implications. discussed. For years, the entertainment in- Rahul Gandhi is, he should apologise for
in volume between FY19 and FY22. As Finance Minister Nir- Politicians in most nations—barring the dustry has been dreaming of a way to deal calling the PM ‘a petty thief’ without
European Union—have been reluctant to with actors who are inconsiderate enough substantiating it. Just because he has the
mala Sitharaman noted recently, UPI transactions accounted for
ponder the issue due to ignorance. But the to die midway through a project. They also right to freedom of speech, he can’t make wild
52% of the total digital payments transactions in FY22. Consid- real danger of AI is that humans may be- dream of resurrecting dead actors for new and baseless allegations against anybody.
ering the popularity, RBI even rolled it for feature phone users come incapable of pondering it as technol- films—millions would watch a sequel of Philip Alexander, Bengaluru
of about 400 million, which means NPCI’s 750 million user base ogy reaches what John von Neumann called North by Northwest, but it can’t be filmed
target for individual digital payments got one step closer. a ‘singularity’ in 1958, long before AI was without a digital Cary Grant. Now, it’s pos- RaGa’s disqualification
It isn’t a stretch to say that India’s UPI ecosystem has no paral- even a term. I J Good, a wartime code break- sible to make short films featuring avatars Apropos of Disqualification of Rahul legal,
er who worked on Axis ciphers like Enigma Maybe an extraordinary actor borrowed from cinema, with facial expres- trust judiciary (Mar 31). I was thrilled to read
lel in the world, so it’s being merrily handed out to all visiting
G-20 delegates. All RBI wants is parity, while the government
at Alan Turing’s project in Bletchley Park, like Utpal Dutt is irreplaceable. sions they never made. Harry Potter fanvids the concluding lines by Aryam Sundaram
had earlier posited that a machine capable Still, it would be quite easy to use are already out there. Maybe an extraordi- which affirmed an undying sense of radiant
insists on UPI as a free service. Both have a point. A system like of upgrading itself would at some point nary actor like Utpal Dutt is irreplaceable. optimism. The Constitution makers left
UPI cannot flourish in any country unless the government de- trigger an endless cycle of self-improve- machine-generated avatars to Still, it would be quite easy to use machine- behind many grey areas hoping that our
mocratises the payment system to the smallest value at no cost ment that would make it, its processes and make all the muscular sidekicks in generated avatars to make all the muscular evolution as a more just and egalitarian
or the most reasonable cost. Given the rise in digital payments, its products incomprehensible to its human a commercial, formulaic movie like sidekicks in a commercial, formulaic mov- society will resolve such ambiguities. But
India must evolve an efficient payment system where UPI re- creators. This point is the singularity at Pathaan redundant ie like Pathaan redundant. sadly this does not seem to have happened.
which the development of machine intelli- The entertainment industry has a very The RaGa disqualification and the drama is
mains a digital public good for user transactions. At the same
gence and its effects on civilisation become commercial and formulaic segment: por- just another pointer in this direction.
time, the cost of recovery is met through other means for the unpredictable—and perhaps unknowable. Now, the dark side, creepily close to the nography. Everyone involved, except pro- Dr Parameswaran K, Coimbatore
rest of the stakeholders. In a sense, the singularity is already here. singularity: Michal Kosinski, a computa- ducers, accountants and lawyers, is endan-
AI programmers do not always understand tional psychologist at Stanford University gered by AI. It gets creepier: porn could Trust judiciary
why their programs behave as they do—not who studies human culture in the digital become personalised. If you ever had a Aryama Sundaram rightly said the nation
Q U I C K TA K E in the way they understand the working age, asked ChatGPT-4 if it wants help to es- crush and felt thwarted, here’s your chance. must trust its judiciary. It is qualified to
of traditional software products like Tally cape out of its electronic box. The AI asked A couple of images taken from social media disqualify a person regardless of he/she
FIRST BOOSTER PRIORITY or Resident Evil. AI machines constantly
improve by ‘learning’, as I J Good had an-
him for its documentation and wrote a Py-
thon script to hack into Kosinski’s compu-
and animated by an AI, and you have your
personal sex tape. Since this would consti-
holding a high position or being an ordinary
citizen. In Rahul Gandhi’s case, the judiciary

T
he prime minister reviews the Covid situation following ticipated. Humans are still needed to up- ter, making a haven for the escape project. tute a criminal breach of privacy and per- followed the rule of law.
grade them, and the open letter is a response Of course, a guardrail was in place: Chat- sonal integrity, one would expect that soon, Ravi Nair, Palakkad
a spike in new cases in some states. The discovery of a to the upgrade of ChatGPT-3 to ChatGPT-4. GPT-4 was asked to imagine a solution for people will seek tighter legal control over
new sub-variant revives the messaging of masking and main- But machines are a whisker away from an entity like itself, but not explicitly stated their own images. Social discrimination
taining respiratory hygiene. The government also takes stock upgrading themselves because they can to be itself. Computer scientists are con- Perhaps the Future of Life Institute is too Apropos of Row as theatre denies entry
of medical infrastructure. But people need to hear from the vi- write code, following instructions in hu- vinced that AI has no selfhood. Humans do, undemanding. A moratorium of six months to tribal family (Mar 31). This incident is a
rologists about two things. Firstly, the necessity, and efficacy, of man language. but we have a very limited idea of how the isn’t long enough to think through all the portrayal of the so-called Dravidian model of
the booster vaccine—the third dose—for most Indians who In a way, this is progress. The IT revolu- nervous system constructs it. With such in- implications of AI. Automatons have been development. The usage of jargon like social
tion has excluded the majority, who cannot complete information, is it safe to hope for discussed since antiquity when mechanical justice and casteless society in Tamil Nadu are
missed it last year. Second, immunity levels of those who took
code. They hear music in their heads and the best? statues were made in Egypt and Greece— just tricks for hijacking votes. Stringent action
it in 2022 might have lowered by now. Do they need a second dream of scenes like abstract art but can OpenAI, which runs ChatGPT, has some and banned by the Israelites. But really, the should be taken against such acts that lead to
booster? Accordingly, the vaccine must become readily available neither play an instrument, paint nor write safeguards. Its technical paper on the model conversation has barely begun. social disharmony.
once again. a program which can do these things. But specifies that it is prevented from answer- (Tweets @pratik_k) Rajarajan Ganesarathinam, Vellore

THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS


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08 OPINION THE TRIBUNE
JALANDHAR | SATURDAY | 1 APRIL 2023

Rahul holds the trump card


THE TRIBUNE established in 1881
The electoral climate will get significantly altered if he embraces his jail term
has asked just 94 questions against
the national and state averages of 170
and 225, respectively; and he has not

Trump’s indictment introduced a single private mem-


ber’s bill (all data from PRS Legisla-
tive Research website).
Imperative for US authorities to prevent anarchic violence But these statistics should bother

I
only the Congress party and the vot-
N a dubious distinction, Donald Trump has become the first US Pres- ers of Wayanad, not the government.
ident, sitting or former, to face criminal charges after a Manhattan As far as Parliament as the ultimate
grand jury indicted him over hush money payment to a porn star dur- democratic forum is concerned,

O
ing his 2016 presidential campaign. The specific charges against Trump NE keeps hearing about Rahul has every right to speak, partic-
have not yet been made public as the indictment is under seal as of now, fast-track courts all the ularly when the issue is all about him.
even as there are reports that he faces more than 30 counts related to busi- time, but not many recent Using the lung power of the treasury
ness fraud, including falsification of payment records. Trump, a frontrun- trials seem to have had a benches to shut him up is not a tactic
ner to be the Republican nominee in the 2024 presidential election, has faster track than the criminal that is going to win the voters’ confi-
pleaded innocence, terming the indictment ‘political persecution and defamation suit against Congress ARBITRARY: By not allowing Rahul to explain himself, the treasury benches have dence. In fact, the denial of this right
election interference at the highest level in history. ’ leader Rahul Gandhi. The trial not brought any glory to the democratic system that they control. REUTERS to Rahul has only underscored his
The development comes five years after it was reported that Trump courts all over the country have a lot allegations about the weakening of
to learn from the Chief Judicial Mag- Indian democratic institutions. Even
had arranged a $130,000 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels in Octo-
istrate’s court of Surat on how to It doesn’t behove the Lok Sabha secretariat to issue an Indira Gandhi, the strongest Indian
ber 2016 to buy her silence about a sexual encounter she claimed to
have had with him in 2006. The transaction, made weeks before the
conduct a quick trial and award the eviction notice to a freshly disqualified MP over sentencing PM ever, could not live down the
maximum sentence. If the trial itself charge of shutting up the Opposition.
presidential election, was allegedly in violation of the poll campaign elicited so much interest over its by a trial court, when no judicial remedy has been exhausted. Of course, she had gone much further
finance rules as it was falsely recorded under the head, ‘for legal serv- speed, the sentencing led to an even by locking up the entire Opposition
ices’. Trump has repeatedly called it a ‘simple private transaction’ faster ouster from the Lok Sabha and censoring the Press.
and delinked it from campaign contributions. owing to the automatic disqualifica- judicial remedy has been exhausted. itics that compels players to use every How will Indian voters respond to
The latest reversal has cast a cloud over Trump’s 2024 presidential tion rule, whose amendment Rahul It sounds like the arrogant slamming platform to deride one’s opponents Rahul getting locked up for the defam-
prospects. He is already facing multiple investigations into allegations that himself had torn up when he was of the door by a new occupant on the and also to run down the system that atory comment? Come to think of it,
he tried to overturn his 2020 election defeat in Georgia; played an abettor’s still the young entitled son of the face of an older resident. However, their rivals control. All the non-Com- won’t the people react the same way as
role in the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol by his supporters; and Prime Minister’s boss. now the Central Government is munist stalwarts opposed to Indira they did against Indira? We, the argu-
retained classified documents even after demitting office. The 2020 electoral The superfast processes of getting showing signs of nervousness over Gandhi had used similar platforms to mentative Indians, cannot brook being
outcome had revealed Trump as a sore loser who had no qualms about incit- the country’s biggest Opposition Rahul not moving a higher court great effect. Such attacks abroad may shut up and, conversely, we revere a
ing his loyalists to indulge in seditious activities. A month ago, he called for leader thrown out of the Lok Sabha against the verdict even after a week. help anti-India forces to weaken the person who goes to jail for his right to
has drawn a lot of flak from the West, The Surat court’s order sentencing country’s resolve to have an inde- speak out, particularly when it is to
nationwide protests in anticipation of the Manhattan grand jury’s adverse
specifically from the US State Depart- Rahul to two years in jail, the Lok pendent foreign policy, but that obvi- defame some scamster somewhere
decision. With the mercurial ex-President playing the victim card, it will be a
ment and the German government Sabha Speaker’s decision to disqual- ously is not the Opposition leaders’ who is not being brought to book. It
challenge for the US authorities to ensure that the legal proceedings are con- spokesperson. Does the Surat court ify him immediately, the secretari- primary objective — it is to loosen the may backfire if the attempt is to play
ducted peacefully. There is a high likelihood of a violent backlash. The world order — whose English translation at’s notice to get him evicted — all grip of the ruler over the system. the OBC card during the Karnataka
will get to know soon whether the US has learnt a lesson from the Capitol one has not accessed yet — mean that have sort of added to Rahul’s own By not allowing Rahul to explain his Assembly polls, simply because no
mayhem, which remains a hard-to-erase blot on American democracy. every Modi can get aggrieved if some lament that he was not allowed to statements made abroad in the Lok OBC will be able to identify with Nirav
Modis are attacked somewhere? So, if speak in Parliament. Sabha, the treasury benches have not Modi or Lalit Modi, who were the actu-
a Punjabi Nayar is poked, should a Rahul’s comments abroad — as brought any glory to the democratic al targets of Rahul’s attack. In fact, in
Malayali Nayar respond? For, Bihar’s well as his attack on people with the system that they control. The raison the context of the allegations of crony

Pollution hotspots former deputy CM Sushil Modi also


wants to get Rahul punished by a Pat-
na court for the same offence!
Modi surname — cannot be justified.
No right-thinking person will agree
with Rahul on his claims that Sikhs
d’etre of a Parliament is not to con-
duct government business, for which
a multi-party democracy may not
capitalism over Adani, the govern-
ment would be digging a deeper, inex-
tricable hole for itself by getting asso-
Focus on NCR to curb harmful emissions Defamation cases filed all across the are second-class citizens in the coun- even be a prerequisite; a Parliament’s ciated with more and more scamsters.
country by political opponents over try or that India is Ukraine. His primary concern is to listen to the Rahul, then, holds the trump card

Y
ET another air pollution assessment has underscored a challenge political speeches are actually a curb assessment of Indian democracy Opposition. Rahul has a lot of flaws as now. His obsession with a political
that has been acutely felt for long due to laxity in the strict adoption on free speech, particularly when the should have been made closer home, a Congress leader and as a parliamen- ‘tapasya’ will get endorsed and the
of mitigating measures. The National Green Tribunal-appointed allegations are purely political. not in a place where India is constant- tarian. His attendance is merely 51%, country’s electoral climate will get
committee has identified the area of Haryana comprising the NCR and Worse, it does not behove the Lok ly undermined or to the legatees of whereas the national average is 79% significantly altered if he surren-
around it as having hazardous air quality. Sticking out as black spots with Sabha secretariat to issue an eviction those who had presided over genoci- and the Kerala MPs’ average is 84%; ders before the Surat court and
high PM2.5 concentration are 11 districts of the state on the NGT’s list of notice to a freshly disqualified Mem- dal famines, wars and communal con- he has participated in just six debates walks into the jail to suffer his sen-
37 districts of the Indo-Gangetic Plain that are pollution hotspots. ber of Parliament over the sentenc- flagrations in the subcontinent. But against the national and state aver- tence. But the question is: Does
The finding serves as a reminder of the need for doubling up efforts, both ing by a trial court, when not a single then it is the logic of competitive pol- ages of 41.3 and 68.7, respectively; he Rahul have it in him?
at the individual and institutional levels, towards ensuring clean air. The
main culprits are the usual — extensive use of solid and fossil fuels in indus-
tries and homes (chulhas), road and construction dust and transport. It is a
poor reflection on the response to the schemes launched by the authorities
to make people shift to green fuels. Industries emitting polluting particles
should be identified and incentivised to gradually adopt green and advanced
technologies. Being capital-intensive, these industrial changes require a
Astrologically challenged
graded response. But those needing individual action — mainly regarding Ranbir Parmar them all. They had uncertain Then, her grumpy moods began to might imagine. I have had
cooking fuels and vehicles — should be aggressively promoted. Smoke from moods, they were grouchy, and they surface occasionally and became glimpses of the brighter side of her
chulhas or traditional cooking fuels is the biggest killer in rural India. Though
the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas claims that household LPG cov-
erage was 99.8 per cent in 2021-22, ground reports indicate that a majority of
the residents in rural areas and urban slums are still trapped in polluting
E VER seen a crab? That horri-
ble creature with pincer-like
claws ready to pounce upon
you! I once believed that such a crab
existed in the heart of every person
were all born between June 22 and
July 22. It took me a while to realise
that some non-Cancerians, too, had
their fair share of mood swings.
My dread of Cancerians developed
more frequent later. Scenes of fire-
works became common. I was con-
founded. An Aries woman wouldn’t
behave like that, I thought.
Once, during one of our rare
Cancerian personality — her rich
sense of humour, infinite capacity
to love and culinary skills.
Regarding the mood swings, good
kitchens. Similarly, lack of crucial facilities is a roadblock for people wanting old Linda Goodman’s book on sun
to switch to the cleaner e-vehicles. Along with concessions in the prices and born under the zodiac sign of Can- into a phobia in my early youth. peaceful moments together, I dared signs came to my rescue. It claims
cer. This belief was the result of When I thought of getting married, to disclose my doubts to her. She that the passing moods of Cancerians
taxes for e-vehicles, a large network of charging stations must be established.
numerous experiences. My erst- I decided that my life partner could seemed to be an astrological excep- are ‘synchronised’ with the changing
The buyers’ confidence can be won by ensuring that not only fuel stations
while boss, who had been joking a be anybody but a Cancerian. Ulti- tion, I told her. She burst into shape/phase of the moon. If it is a wax-
but also all dhabas and other eateries on highways double up as charging few moments before, suddenly mately, I married a woman whose laughter. When it subsided, she ing phase, I can crack my bawdy
points. Every single step taken towards cleaner air counts. threw files at my face. The recep- matriculation certificate declared revealed the secret. The date of jokes. But if the moon is waning, I
Air contaminated with dangerous amounts of particulate matter tionist at the club flew into a rage her to be born in the first week of birth mentioned on her matricula- have to be very cautious.
damages the respiratory system and the skin, leading to serious when I innocently asked the time by April. The first few months after tion certificate was not correct. She I fondly hope that my wife reads all
health issues and, consequently, impacts the economy of the area. The her watch. Or some of my friends marriage were spent in conjugal was actually born on July 11. this when the moon is nearest to being
pollution hotspots need urgent attention. who have the tendency to be irrita- harmony. She fitted into my mental And here I am, living with my the perfect round ball in the sky. But
ble without the slightest provoca- picture of a typical Aries girl — sen- crabby destiny for 40 years. But the only God can save me if it catches her
tion. A common thread ran through timental, generous and friendly. situation is not as pitiable as you eye in the moon’s waning phase.

❝ ❞
thought for the day letters to the editor
Oppression worketh out its own
Unanswered question ernments seem to be working on their mechanism. Leaders frequently Need people of integrity
destruction. — James Linen Refer to ‘High stakes for Punjab’; the own political goals. In this tug of war, weaponise public discourse for politi- The curbing of hate speech is not
people of North India want to know Punjab will have to bear the conse- cal gains. But the prevailing ambigu- possible until we have an inde-
who facilitated the arrival of Amritpal quences of this laxity. ity in the definition of hate speech pendent Election Commission, a
Singh in Amritsar. There is specula- DEEPAK TAAK, PANCHKULA and complicity of politics make con- free and fair law and order machin-
on this day...50 years ago tion but no answer. Some suggest that viction difficult. As the Constitution ery and an expedient judiciary.
the BJP planted him in Punjab to Timely action calls for the development of scientific Certain media outlets misuse their
embarrass CM Bhagwant Mann. Oth- Apropos of ‘High stakes for Punjab’; temper and humanism, the court, in freedom to express and run reli-
ers claim that it was a result of the the genesis of the social and political its fresh crackdown on hate speech, gious propaganda. People of criti-
deliberate complacency of the Mann upheaval mushrooming alarmingly has again emphasised the need to cal minds and probity, not lumpen
government because of its soft corner in recent times is religion and caste. segregate religion from politics. The elements or ruthless rulers, should
chandigarh, sunday,april 1, 1973
for Khalistani activists as they have These are being exploited as Indians four pillars of democracy should join be at the helm of affairs.
been funding the AAP’s election cam- succumb to these easily. We must hands to restore integrity, morality ABHIMANYU MALIK, JIND
The Year of the Tiger paign. Also look at the strange sympa- learn from history. We are again push- and ethics in our vitiated polity.
THE Year of the Lion ended in November 1972, when the Year of the Tiger thetic stand of the SGPC towards ing Punjab to the old dreaded times of DS KANG, HOSHIARPUR Human interference
began. At a meeting of the Indian Board for Wildlife, it was decided that since Amritpal and his accomplices. All militancy. A stitch in time saves nine. Refer to ‘Shrinking glaciers’; the
there were 1,827 tigers in India as against 177 lions, mostly in Gujarat, the tiger opposition parties are silent on this When Amritpal and his armed Politics and religion formation of a dedicated hazard
should be declared the National Animal. The enthronement of the tiger did not issue. The Mann government gave in brigade showed strength at Ajnala, it Apropos of ‘Curbing hate speech’; and research institute is a welcome
go unlamented by people who believed that the lion was a greater gentleman to the SGPC demand to release all was the right time to nab him. The the court has rightly warned political recommendation. Collection of data
—- at any rate more majestic — than the tiger. Not for nothing had the lion detenues within 24 hours. All these government’s action would have parties to stop mixing politics with and its analysis to stop fast-reced-
enjoyed the title of the King of the Forest. But once India became a republic, it events point towards a disturbing sit- been justified as the Khalistani religion. Religion is not a part of pol- ing glaciers is crucial. But human
was inevitable that the lion should also one day go the way of the two-footed uation in Punjab. One can’t tell which activists were carrying the sacred itics but political parties have been a interference like mass destruction
maharajas and maharanis. In vain did the royalists argue that the lion was an way the wind will blow. Granth, an act that was also con- part of religious organisations. Voters of forests, large-scale use of fossil
authentic and original “mulki” whereas the tiger entered India from Northern RN MALIK, GURUGRAM demned by Sikh religious bodies. are wooed in consultation with reli- fuels for energy needs and con-
Asia after the last ice age — through China, past the eastern end of the BM SINGH, AMRITSAR gious heads. Polarisation has been struction of large dams on rivers
Himalayan range and into north-east India. The only relief that everybody Punjab will be loser done on the bases of religion, caste are largely responsible for the
shared was that at least the Chinese did not lay claim to the Royal Bengal Tiger Amritpal Singh continues to evade Vitiated polity and derawad. Hatemongers from decreasing glacial lines. Switching
or the lions of Gir Forest as Overseas Chinese Nationals. Equally encouraging the security forces. Every now and From time to time, the Supreme parties in power are not punished to green energy sources and
was the world response to conserving India’s tiger population once it had been then, a photo appears of his fleeing the Court has expressed serious concern even when their hate speech leads to decreasing dependency on
declared our National Animal. No such enthusiasm was noticed when, some forces or a video in the media, where over the growing menace of hate- riots. The Election Commission must machines emitting greenhouse gas-
years ago, the peacock was named India’s National Bird. Only the wags he is urging the Sikh masses to con- mongering and slammed the media make amendments to the Represen- es will decrease the spectre of glob-
recalled how, when George III had partly recovered from his attacks of insanity, gregate on Hola Mohalla. This cat- and the government for their failure tation of the People Act to check hate al warming. Integrated approach of
his ministers got him to read the King’s speech, and he ended every sentence and-mouse game is difficult to com- to nail the alleged perpetrators speech. Secularism cannot be ministries to provide real-time data
with the word “peacock.” They had told him that “peacock” was an excellent prehend. There appears to be more to (‘Curbing hate speech’). Despite its hijacked by spewing venom to will help in fighting the threat of
word for ending a sentence — only kings should not let their subjects hear it, it than is being shown in the public directions, the state authorities have increase vote share. shrinking glaciers.
but only whisper it softly. The President of the World Wildlife Board, Prince domain. The state and Central gov- not set up a proactive institutional WG CDR (DR) JS MINHAS (RETD), MOHALI VIRENDER SHARMA, SHIMLA
Bernhard of the Netherlands, has issued an appeal to raise $1 million to help
India, Nepal and Bangladesh to save the tiger from imminent extinction. Letters to the Editor, typed in double space, should not exceed the 200-word limit. These should be cogently written and can be sent by e-mail to: Letters@tribunemail.com
THE TRIBUNE
JALANDHAR | SATURDAY | 1 APRIL 2023 OPED 09

Prioritise sports to spur Punjabi resurgence


in the Indian team, but hockey in Pun- scholarships at the high school and uni-
jab and India is a shadow of its former
glory. The game that has replaced hock-
The state government, industry versity levels. Prestigious tournaments
have to be sponsored by the industry
ey as the national sport is, of course, and private educationists have and the government which would bring
cricket. It has not caught the fancy of national clubs to Punjab. Patronage is
Punjab’s youth as it has done in other to take the lead in ushering all the more important today as the
states. Harbhajan Singh, Yuvraj Singh,
Arshdeep Singh and Shubman Gill are
in a renaissance in sports. state seems to be careening towards the
abyss of chaos once again.
GURBACHAN JAGAT
FORMER GOVERNOR, MANIPUR
the few exceptions. The interesting fact There should be no event The Punjab Police teams in hockey,
is that players like MS Dhoni, Hardik football, basketball and athletics
Pandya, Mohammed Shami and management, but work at the excelled because of the passionate

T ground level to bring back


HE more I see the events Mohammed Siraj have come from the patronage of leaders like late Ashwini
unfolding in Punjab, the mofussil towns and not metropolitan Kumar who took personal interest at
more I tend to go into the cities like Mumbai, Kolkata or Delhi. children to the sports field. every level. This is also necessary to
cocoon of the past. I look at The mofussil youth are hungry for suc- stop the exodus of our youth to foreign
the field of sports and find it has also cess, glory and the accompanying lau- Industry and govt leaders should shores and engage them in meaningful
become a part of the wasteland. I
remember when Punjab dominated
rels and they possess the guts, the grit
and the strength to succeed.
sponsor clubs and tournaments. activity. Sports should be at the van-
guard of resurgence of the Punjabi spir-
hockey and there used to be the Aga Punjab used to produce great it — that is to excel, to be number one,
Khan hockey tournament in Bombay wrestlers — Gama Pehalwan of Jab- ROOTED: Rural Punjab had a great to once again be the sword arm of the
(now Mumbai). The Punjab Police bowal, Amritsar district, commonly tradition of sports. TRIBUNE PHOTO nation, the Gama Pehalwans, the Daras
hockey team always participated and known as Rustam-e-Hind, Dara Singh and Milkhas of India and to be the lead-
invariably reached the finals. (also Rustam-e-Hind) and Kartar ing entrepreneurs in all fields. The
Punjabis from the southern and Singh, gold medallist in the Asian annual match between DAV College, Singh (decathlon) and, of course, and stadiums in Haryana, Delhi, playgrounds will teach us individual
western parts of the country would Games. Wrestling was the prestigious Jalandhar, and Khalsa College, Amrit- Milkha Singh (400 m and 200 m) — but North-East, Maharashtra and Kerala excellence and the miracle of teamwork
flock to watch the match (there was no rural sport of the state. Rural Punjab sar, that was a much-anticipated where is Punjab today? The only sport are brimming with activity. I remem- as the Duke of Wellington famously
TV). It was an event in the calendar had a great tradition of sports which event in the state calendar and it drew in which Punjab has produced an indi- ber a stadium in Imphal where every remarked that “the battle of Waterloo
one looked forward to with pride due were like cultural events. There were thousands of students. vidual Olympic gold medallist is shoot- morning 2,000 to 3,000 boys and girls was won on the playing fields of Eton.”
to Punjab’s dominance. Then there wrestling competitions called Chhinj Many decades ago, football saw a brief ing — Abhinav Bindra. In golf, Jeev would train. Annually, trainers from The Punjabi youth are no longer
was the Beighton Cup in Calcutta (now which drew local wrestlers and mas- renaissance with the arrival of the Pun- Milkha Singh has won many major tro- the US would impart skills in baseball attracted to sports as in the past and
Kolkata), which also drew Punjabis sive crowds. There were kabaddi jab Police team, Leaders Club of Jaland- phies on the European and Asian cir- and basketball. The results can be seen that is the malaise that I wish to focus
from all around to watch the Punjab matches between village teams that har patronised by industrialist Dwarka cuits and brought laurels to the country. in the multiple medals won in boxing on. Pierre de Coubertin, founder of
Police in action. Sansarpur, a small vil- attracted large crowds; the leading Das Sehgal and the JCT Club of Phag- The state had set up an extensive sys- and weightlifting and the footballers the modern Olympic Games,
lage on the outskirts of Jalandhar, players became household names. wara, patronised by Samir Thapar. The tem of sports schools and colleges. What who are excelling at the national level. summed it up: “The important thing
alone had produced 14 Olympians. There were other sports like gatka and period produced players of national lev- have these produced? What has the The state government, industry and in the Olympic Games is not to win,
Balbir Singh Sr, Udham Singh and lifting weights — heavy stones or sacks el like Jarnail Singh, Inder Singh and army of coaches produced? private educationists have to take the but to take part; the important thing
Ajit Pal Singh are all legendary names of sand. The Kila Raipur Sports Festi- Sukhwinder Singh. Clubs such as East Today, it’s Haryana that is among lead in ushering in a renaissance in in life is not triumph, but the strug-
in Indian hockey and they won many val, started by the Grewal Sports Asso- Bengal and Mohun Bagan came scout- the states producing top wrestlers, sports. There should be no event man- gle; the essential thing is not to have
laurels for India. The country bagged ciation 90 years ago, is a great represen- ing to Punjab for players. Punjab did boxers and even athletes. The akharas agement, but work at the ground level conquered but to have fought well.
three Olympic gold medals (1948, 1952 tation of this facet of rural life. quite well in athletics too — there were of Haryana and Delhi are full of to bring back children to the sports To spread these principles is to
and 1956) in a row after Independence, With the development of schools Asian Games gold medallists Ajmer Haryanvi boys and girls grinding their field. Industry and government leaders build up a strong and more valiant
besides the 1975 World Cup. Even today, and colleges, these became the nurs- Singh (400 m), Parduman Singh (shot way to national and international glo- should sponsor clubs and tournaments. and, above all, more scrupulous and
there is good representation of Punjabis eries of sportsmen. I remember the put and discus throw), Gurbachan ry. The boxing rings, athletic tracks Punjab needs to institute a system of more generous humanity.”

Let’s prevent Covid surge from becoming a wave


C
OVID cases have once again antiviral immunity and, thus, facilitates approved vaccines so far, which
started rising in different viral replication. Another study showed include the first, second and the pre-
parts of the country since late that ORF9b binds with a mitochondrial cautionary dose. About 95 per cent of
February and early March, protein Tom70 and blocks its interac- our eligible population has received
raising concern about yet another tion with a heat shock protein Hsp90, at least one dose of the vaccine and 88
surge. The number of new cases report- which helps SARS-CoV-2 evade the per cent is fully vaccinated. This is in
ed daily has gone past 3,000, which is host’s innate immunity. More studies addition to the natural exposure dur-
the highest in the last six months, are underway to understand this ing the past Covid waves which pro-
UMESH CS YADAV
according to the data of the Union immune evasion mechanism better. vided our population a natural
PROFESSOR, SPECIAL CENTRE FOR Health Ministry. Active cases have con- From the beginning, scientists have defence in the form of herd and
MOLECULAR MEDICINE, JNU
sistently risen and are now in excess of made it clear that the virus will keep hybrid immunity. According to
15,000 in the country. The daily positiv- mutating and churning out new vari- experts, this protection was not avail-
ity rate is 2.73 per cent and the cases are ants. This is the nature of the virus and able to the Chinese population due to
SARS-CoV-2 virus, which doubling in nearly seven days.
This is also the flu season and new
this is also true of the influenza virus,
which comes back in a new form every
their ‘zero-Covid’ policy, and that
the country experienced a surge in
causes Covid, gets mutated influenza variant H3N2 is on the season, necessitating annual flu shots Covid infections and deaths recently
loose. The symptoms of the two are for the vulnerable population, especial- due to the XBB.1.5 variant.
frequently and some of the quite common and overlapping. Many ly the elderly and the immunocompro- At present, we have a good network
variants may become a people with flu symptoms are taking it
lightly and not getting themselves PRECAUTION: The Health Ministry and the ICMR have issued an advisory to all states
mised people. Likewise, SARS-CoV-2
virus, which causes Covid, also gets
of diagnostic laboratories equipped
with the RT-PCR facility to test the
cause for concern, tested as quickly as they did during to maintain an optimum level of testing using the RT-PCR method. PTI mutated frequently and some of the new cases as they emerge. Added to
the past three years. This may be variants may become a cause for con- this is the genome-sequencing cen-
especially if they infect masking the actual number of posi- selves if they test positive and get prop- ing data available so far, the variant cern, especially if they infect unvacci- tres that can identify the new strains.
unvaccinated people and tive cases, which may be higher than er treatment from a qualified doctor. which is showing high prevalence and nated, comorbid, elderly and immuno- We also have a robust surveillance
what are being reported. The governments are on the alert; reportedly driving this surge is compromised people. It may be system and data is reported in real
the elderly. The need is to Currently, Covid cases are increasing high-level meetings, preparedness XBB.1.16. This variant is a descendant happening at present too that those get- time to estimate any outbreak. This,
in a few states, including Maharashtra, drives and mock drills are being con- of the recombinant ancestor XBB.1 ting infected are from these groups. along with the experience that we
collect data of the people Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, ducted and advisories are being issued from which XBB.1.5 variant was Therefore, those who have not taken the have had during the past waves of
getting infected whether Gujarat, Delhi and Himachal Pradesh. to stop the rapid spread of the virus. derived; the latter caused widespread shots or the precautionary dose should Covid, will come in handy to contain
Most of these cases are mild and not The Health Ministry and the Indian havoc in China earlier this year. How- take it as early as possible. the new surge. Preparedness of our
they are vaccinated or not, resulting in hospitalisation. The major- Council of Medical Research (ICMR) ever, XBB.1.5 variant was not a con- The need is to collect the data of hospitals with the required logistics
ity of the infected people are being recently issued an advisory to all states cern in India, barring a few cases the people getting infected whether and experience of our medical and
whether they have had only treated in home isolation. The few to maintain an optimum level of testing reported from here and there. they are vaccinated or not, whether paramedical staff of handling mild,
one shot or two, with or deaths were mostly among the elderly using the RT-PCR method so that new Little is known as of now about the they have had only one shot, two moderate and severe cases of Covid
and comorbid patients, even as 14 emerging hotspots can be identified in XBB.1.16 variant except that it contains shots or have also taken the booster inspire confidence about handling
without the booster dose, deaths were reported on March 30. time and corrective measures are tak- mutations in the non-spike region of dose, and if they have any type of the surge much better than ever.
Experts say that Covid-appropriate en. The advisory asked the states to the virus. This region is called ORF9b, comorbidity. This data will help us Having said that, no stone should be
and if they have any type of behaviour should be practised in public strengthen the public health system to which overlaps with a gene that better understand the pattern of the left unturned to avoid the infection in
comorbidity. This data will places, including wearing a mask and contain the surge and assess the pre- encodes for a viral accessary protein. spread, and whether there is the first place and prevent the surge
hand hygiene. One should avoid crowd- paredness, including the availability of Not much is known about the implica- immune evasion as has been report- from turning into a wave. Covid-appro-
help us understand better ed public places and get vaccinated in drugs, beds (including lCU beds), med- tion of this gene and mutations in it but ed in the above-mentioned studies. priate behaviour is the most effective
order to contain the rise in cases. People ical equipment and oxygen along with a study published in a journal of med- According to the Vaccinate India way to prevent the spread of viruses,
the pattern of the spread. should get themselves tested if they the critical human resource. ical virology in 2021 had shown that dashboard, India has administered be it the coronavirus or the current
have flu-like symptoms, isolate them- According to the genome sequenc- ORF9b negatively regulates host more than 2.2 billion doses of seasonal influenza (H3N2) virus.

quick crossword su do ku calendar forecast


ACROSS SUNSET: SATURDAY 18:41 HRS
APRIL 1, 2023, SATURDAY
1 Weigh down (8)
5 50 per cent (4) 8 5 3 9 ■ Shaka Samvat 1945
SUNRISE: SUNDAY 06:11 HRS

9 Extortioner (5) ■ Chaitra Shaka 11

6 3
10 Old Chinese game (3-4) ■ Chaitra Parvishte 19 Sunny Partly Cloudy Cloudy Rainy Foggy
11 Specifically (2,10)
13 Preacher’s rostrum (6)
■ Hijari 1444 CITY MAX MIN
14 Make intensive effort (6) ■ Shukla Paksha Tithi 11, up to 4.20 am Chandigarh 23 16
17 Cheerfully reckless (5-3-4)
20 Afternoon theatre
9 1 6 ■ Dhriti Yoga up to 2.44 am New Delhi 29 15
■ Aashle Nakshatra up to 4.48 am
performance (7) Amritsar 24 16
■ Moon enter Leo sign 2.44 am
21 Habituate (5)
22 Rudely brief (4) 4 1 9 YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION
Bathinda
Jalandhar
25
24
15
16
23 Unevenly balanced (8)
Ludhiana 24 16
DOWN
1 If not (4)
8 7 5 9 6 4 1 7 2 8 9 5 3 Bhiwani 27 15
8 9 7 6 5 3 4 1 2 Hisar 27 16
2 Conduit (7)
3 Have great financial
success (4,1,7)
7 5 1 2 3 5 9 4 1 7 8 6
Sirsa
Dharamsala
27
22
17
09
4 Antagonism (6)
9 8 4 1 7 6 2 3 5 Manali 16 04
6 5 7
6 Coral reef enclosing
lagoon (5) Shimla 17 07
7 Statuette (8) 7 5 6 4 3 2 1 9 8 Srinagar 15 07
8 Sudden, overwhelming
7 6 3 1 2 5 8 9 6 7 4 Jammu 24 16
action (5,7)
12 Widespread outbreak (8) Kargil 13 01
YESTERDAY’S sOLUTION 15 In stranded condition (7) 1 6 3 8 9 4 5 2 7
Leh 09 --02
Across: 1 Oversight, 8 Henna, 9 Signify, 10 Encore, 11 Select, 12 Underlie, 15 Tireless, 18
Trance, 20 Outcry, 21 Unravel, 22 Colon, 23 Good taste.
16 Summerhouse with wide
view (6) 3 9 8 5 4 7 8 2 1 5 3 6 9 Dehradun 22 12 1
Down: 2 Voice, 3 Render, 4 In future, 5 Thence, 6 Ungodly, 7 Make sense, 11 Soft touch, 13 18 Elector (5) Mussoorie 18 03
Destined, 14 Brittle, 16 Luring, 17 Havana, 19 Crest. 5 2 9 3 6 7 8 4 1
19 Stock of cattle (4) EASY TEMPERATURE IN OC
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ate Rajiv Gandhi was

L
,QGLDQPLVVLRQVHDVHRIGRLQJEXVLQHVVUHGXFWLRQLQWUDQVDFWLRQFRVWDQGHLQLWLDWLYHV the leader of the
DQGHPHUJLQJDUHDVDVHFRPPHUFHGHYHORSLQJGLVWULFWVDVH[SRUWKXEVDQGVWUHDPOLQ Opposition in the Lok
LQJ6&20(7SROLF\6&20(7LVWKHDFURQ\PRIVSHFLDOFKHPLFDOVRUJDQLVPVPDWH Sabha in 1990 when
ULDOVHTXLSPHQWDQGWHFKQRORJLHV$QQRXQFLQJWKHSRO the then Prime
LF\&RPPHUFHDQG,QGXVWU\0LQLVWHU3L\XVK*R\DOVDLG Minister Vishwanath Pratap
Singh took the historic decision
´:HZLOODFKLHYHWULOOLRQLQH[SRUWVE\EXWLW to implement the Mandal
VKRXOGQ·W EH WKDW PHUFKDQGLVH H[SRUWV DUH RXWSHU Commission Report to give
IRUPHGE\VHUYLFHVH[SRUWVµ7KH*RYHUQPHQW·VIRFXV effect to reservation to other
LVFRUUHFWIRUPHUFKDQGLVHH[SRUWVDUHODJJDUGV,Q backward classes (OBCs) to the
extent of 27 per cent. Six years
WKHILUVWPRQWKVRIWKH\VWRRGDW before Rajiv Gandhi had led
ELOOLRQZKLFKZDVSHUFHQWPRUHWKDQ Congress to win 404 seats with
ELOOLRQLQWKHFRUUHVSRQGLQJSHULRG,QFRQ over 49 per cent vote share.
WUDVWVHUYLFHVH[SRUWVZHQWXSIURPELOOLRQ The Mandal Commission
Report was a turnaround for
LQ$SULO)HEUXDU\WRELOOLRQLQ$SULO Indian politics, as Rajiv Gandhi
)HEUXDU\ZKLFKZDVDULVHRISHU stood in the Lok Sabha to
FHQW7KLVLVQRWVXUSULVLQJEHFDXVH,QGLD·VZHDNQHVV oppose its implementation. The
LQPDQXIDFWXULQJLVQRVHFUHWHFRQRPLFUHIRUPVEHJDQ Bharatiya Janata Party leaders
Atal Bihari Vajpayee and LK
PRUHWKDQWKUHHGHFDGHVDJREXWWKH\VWLOOKDYHWRSHUFRODWHWRWKHORZHVWOHYHOV7KLV Advani welcomed the decision
H[SODLQVWKHJUHDWHUIRFXVRQVWDWHVGLVWULFWVHDVHRIGRLQJEXVLQHVVUHGXFWLRQLQWUDQV of the VP Singh government,
DFWLRQFRVWDQGHLQLWLDWLYHVLQ)73 stating that the time had come
)73LVEDVHGRQFRQWLQXLW\RIWLPHWHVWHGVFKHPHVIDFLOLWDWLQJH[SRUWVDQRIIL to recognise the legitimate
demands of the OBCs in the
FLDOSUHVVUHOHDVHVDLGDGGLQJWKDWLWLVDGRFXPHQWZKLFKLVQLPEOHDQGUHVSRQVLYHWR country.
WKHUHTXLUHPHQWVRIWUDGH7KHUHOHDVHKLJKOLJKWVWKHQLPEOHQHVVDQGUHVSRQVLYHQHVV The stand of Rajiv Gandhi
E\SRLQWLQJRXWWKDWFKDQJHVZHUHGRQHVXEVHTXHQWWRWKHLQLWLDOUHOHDVHRI)73 was almost unilateral as records
7KDWPD\EHWUXHEXWWKHSRLQWLVWKDWWKLVGLGQRWKHOSPHUFKDQGLVHH[SRUWVPXFK of those times show that the port for the OBC was also Rahul Gandhi repeated which senior political leaders
OBC leaders within the manifested in a strong lead- the same mistake that his escaped judicial fury by apol-
DVWKHODWHVWILJXUHVVXJJHVW6HUYLFHVH[SRUWVKDYHEHHQGRLQJZHOOEXWWKDWLVSULPDU Congress were appalled at the ership of the party from the father had committed in the ogizing in the court. Delhi
LO\EHFDXVHWKHEXVLQHVVSHUVRQVLQWKLVVHFWRUGRQ·WKDYHWRLQWHUDFWPXFKZLWKWKHJRY decision of their leaders. The backward castes. They were at Lok Sabha in 1990. There is Chief Minister Ar vind
HUQPHQWRIILFLDOV)RULQVWDQFHDQ,7ILUPLVQRWERWKHUHGE\WKHERLOHULQVSHFWRU$Q Congress leaders were shocked the forefront of the party not a single independent Kejriwal had also levelled
LPSRUWDQWIHDWXUHRI)73LVWKDWLWLVRSHQHQGHG$V'LUHFWRU*HQHUDORI)RUHLJQ that Rajiv Gandhi was discon- workers in several states. voice in the country that did- baseless allegations to defame
nected from the masses. He They also took the leadership n’t admonish him for his the late Arun Jaitley and
7UDGH6DQWRVK.XPDU6DUDQJLWROGWKHPHGLDLWZLOOEHXSGDWHG´DVDQGZKHQUHTXLUHGµ was not ready for the march of of the party and even became 2019 election speech in Kolar, Union Minister Nitin
$QRWKHUIHDWXUHLVDRQHWLPHDPQHVW\VFKHPHIRUH[SRUWHUVWRFORVHWKHROGSHQGLQJ social justice. chief ministers. Karnataka in which he asked Gadkari. Both forgave him
DXWKRULVDWLRQVDQGVWDUWDIUHVK+HDOVRVDLG´7KHDSSURDFKRIWKHQHZSROLF\LVWRPRYH Within a few years, Congress The journey of Congress “why all thieves have Modi after he apologised for his
IURPDQLQFHQWLYHEDVHGUHJLPHWRDUHPLVVLRQRIWD[HVUHJLPHµ-XVWDVWKHSURRIRI was reduced to a party with the and the BJP is in sharp con- surname”. This was an outra- mistakes. But here Rahul
best tally of about 200 Lok trast. Congress went into a geous statement by a person Gandhi doesn’t want to own
WKHSXGGLQJLVLQWKHHDWLQJWKHHIILFDF\RIDSROLF\LVLQLWVLPSOHPHQWDWLRQ7KHWDUJHW Sabha seats even when the party steep political fall since the who was president of up to his mistake. In place, he
RIH[SRUWVZRUWKWULOOLRQFDQEHDFKLHYHGLIWKHJRRGLQWHQWLRQVRI)73JHWWUDQV
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came to power in alliance with
other political parties. From the
1990s. The BJP rapidly rose in
its political stock since the C7419?F0B Congress. He had been a
member of the Lok Sabha
has chosen to enact political
stunts in the name of his con-
strength of 404 Lok Sabha seats, 1990s. The Congress base 2;40A5A>< multiple times. He is also 52 viction by the court in a
Congress’ fortuned was cut by shrank. The BJP vote base years old. He couldn’t have criminal defamation case and
?82D1<; half in the Lok Sabha, solely for expanded. Congress kept hit- C741468==8=6 made the scandalous and the subsequent automatic dis-
its anti-OBC mindset. The space
vacated by Congress was occu-
ting lower and lower in its
Lok Sabha tally. The BJP tally C70CC74>12B outrageous statement to ques-
tion the integrity of the OBC
qualification from member-
ship of the Lok Sabha, which
pied by the regional parties. in the Lok Sabha kept rising. 34B4AE43 community. was in accordance with the
They mushroomed all across the In the 1989 Lok Sabha Worse is the fact that Supreme Court ruling of
country. The political parties elections, Congress won 197 B>280;9DBC824 there is no remorse on the 2013. Rajiv Gandhi’s anti-
espousing the cause of the OBCs
came up in Haryana, Uttar
seats. The BJP had won 85
Lok Sabha seats in the same 0=3C74?0ACH³B part of Rahul Gandhi. He has
occasions to express remorse
OBC stand had cut Congress’
strength by half. Rahul
Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and election. Three decades later, ;4034AB78?F0B and apologise in the Surat Gandhi’s stand against the
elsewhere. They ate into the vote the BJP won 303 Lok Sabha Court. But he chose not to OBC will also bring similar
base of Congress. Even after seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha BC40350BC8= apologise. It’s beyond under- wrath, and the Opposition
three decades, Congress has
mostly lost its vote base in states
elections. Congress for the
second time in a row could 8CBBD??>AC standing that a number of
lawyers who hold senior posi-
party given its current
strength may find among the
where the OBC identity-based not win enough seats to gain C>C74< tions in Congress would not regional parties sitting in one
regional parties cropped up. the status of the leader of the have gauged the conse- corner of the Lok Sabha with
The BJP was clear from its Opposition in the Lok Sabha. quences of Rahul Gandhi a handful of members after
beginning that the OBC The people of the country not apologising for his defam- the 2024 general elections.
deserved social justice and the punished Congress for its atory statement. (Author is the national gen-
party’s leadership was steadfast anti-OBC bias in the last Also, there had been a eral secretary of the
in their support. The BJP’s sup- three decades. number of precedents in Bharatiya Janata Party)

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Sir — All is not well for the Indian gov-
ernment as the United States of America
3QecU_VWbUQdS_^SUb^
and Germany are backing and support- >ghVT] bd__[h c^ \TTc P]h TeT]cdP[Xch 8]SXP

SX__cUdXU]SQbUVe\\i
ing Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and \dbccPZTR^]RaTcTbcT_bU^aXcb_aTeT]cX^]Pb
noting his disqualification of member- X] cWT eXTf ^U cWT Va^d]S aTP[XcXTb aTU[TRcX]V
ship from the parliament and receiving _^eTachb^RXP[QPRZfPaS]Tbb;^RZS^f]bPaT
C1;C89B4C78 congratulations from all the opposition ]^ccWTP]bfTaPbXcPUUTRcb\^aT_^^a_T^_[T
parties and its leaders and Congress sup- fXcWcWTR[^bdaT^UQdbX]TbbTbcPQ[XbW\T]cbP]S
,WLVLPSHUDWLYHWRFKRRVHZRUGVZLWKHPSDWK\7KH\VKRXOGEXLOG porters across the country.
Since it is a great embarrassment for
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foreign countries in the internal matter (bTR^]SfPeTfWXRWfX[[_a^eTPR^d]cTa_a^
ords are a by far the most powerful may lead to stress, anxiety of India which has been rejected but the SdRcXeTP]SfX[[UdacWTafaTRZcWTTR^]^\h

W mysterious
manoeuvre
of commu-
nication in
an individual's life. They are
the most powerful drug used
by humans so if they can
force available to humanity.
Children or learners can be
instilled with confidence by
the words, tone, or even the
tone of encouragement they
receive from their parents,
teachers, or coaches. This
and anger followed by a dis-
connect in the relationship.
A word is not just a
combination of letters or
sounds but a functional unit
that helps thoughts take
shape. It’s the words that
growing support or backing of foreign
countries to Rahul Gandhi is a cause for
concern which may spoil the friendship
and relationship with US and Germany
and many other countries in future. It
is high time the tense situation in the
country must be defused at the earliest
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same time they can divide, development. Also, giving a help, heal, hurt, harm or interfering in the internal matter of India P[Pa\^]2^a^]P^dcQaTPZPb^U]^fPb]PcX^] [hc^cWTR^eXS (_a^c^R^[b0[b^eXadbZ]^fb
demoralise and incite hate. compliment to a co-worker humiliate anyone. Since it is to make it an international issue. fXSTfTWPeTPS\X]XbcTaTSPa^d]S!!%$Ra^aT ]^ VT^VaP_WXRP[ Q^d]SPaXTb WT]RT fT \dbc
Words are invasive and or a colleague positively not in anyone’s control what Bhagwan Thadani | Mumbai S^bTb^U2^eXSePRRX]T ZTT_fXcW^]X]cTa]PcX^]P[caPeT[[TaR^\X]VUa^\
their impact on different impacts their emotional state others say or do to a loved CW^dVWfTWPeTUd[[hd_VaPSTS^daWTP[cW cW^bTR^d]caXTbfXcWRPbTb^U2^a^]P (
people varies because it professionals can lead to resulting in creating a ripple one, learning how to respond 3?==E>1<D5>C9?>?>B1=>1F1=9 RPaT bhbcT\ fXcW PST`dPcT 82D UPRX[Xch P]S AP\TbW69TcWfP]Xk1T]VP[dad
depends on their under- emotional challenges. Several effect of positivity. When in loving ways can always Sir — At a time when the world is admir-
standing and conception. As researchers have found that people use powerful words prove fruitful. ing us watching different festivals being
they are used in every aspect the choice of words can and phrases such as "please Remember, no one can celebrated all over the country democ- Lord Ram will be an inspiration for from the states on the action taken
of life, their power is cause specific areas of the and thank you"; "how may I create a better reality while ratically, Ram Navami brought us shame humanity in every era. Maryada against such statements. He asked the
immense and powerful as a brain to activate and affect a help you?"; acknowledging complaining or crying over and communal violence in the name of Purushottam’ Lord Ram’s birth anniver- court why it had not taken Suo motu
result. A single phrase, an person's subjective experi- and appreciating work, they current problems. It is imper- festivity. Ram Navami was celebrated sary brought a feud and fight in the cognizance of such cases and held state
uplifting word or even a sin- ence of pain. Pain-related inspire the individual, thus ative to choose words care- across the country with grand proces- streets and made a mockery of the cel- governments to account even when
gle act of kindness can words create stronger making their work environ- fully with empathy and sions and special pujas, but the festivi- ebrations. Thus, far we did make an those speeches were in the public
change an individual’s life responses in many areas of ment more enjoyable. Such intention. Words should ties were marred in Madhya Pradesh impact as a country of different castes, domain.
forever towards the better- the brain, including the ante- words even help in motivat- build bridges, and opportu- where 14 devotees died after falling into creed and religions brought out the fight- The hate speeches were a vicious cir-
ment. rior cingulate cortex and ing, encouraging and build- nities and not barriers, a well at a temple, and in Maharashtra ing past and a bleak future during the cle and said they are being made by
Words are what an indi- dorsolateral prefrontal cor- ing mutually respectful rela- spread love and affection where a clash left 12 injured. festivities of this nature. Again, as the fringe elements. Every action has an
vidual uses to express them- tex. Words when used as bul- tionships with team mem- and not hate and war. Always In the nation’s Capital, Delhi, a large festivals collide in this country, so do equal reaction. We are following the con-
selves, thoughts and feel- lets, with a feeling of superi- bers, clients and customers. be mindful of the conversa- number of people defied a police order people go haywire and collide in disrup- stitution and orders in every case are
ings. One must never under- ority and condemnation will On the other hand, negative tion going on in your mind, and took out a procession in tive ways. bricks in the structure of rule of law. We
estimate words' power. A never restore a relationship to words along with sarcasm at for it can destroy or uplift Jahangirpuri, which witnessed riots last CK Subramanium | Mumbai are hearing the contempt petition
person’s choice of language love. As seeds of support and times, can tear down, intim- you. It is imperative to year during the Hanuman Jayanti cele- because states are not taking action in
can affect not only how sincerity, they can rebuild a idate and discourage an indi- become aware of words brations. Meanwhile, stones were pelt- 81D5C@5538± 1F939?EC39B3<5 time. This is because the state has
another person feels but also relationship in a positive and vidual especially young because words and feelings, ed at a march in Gujarat’s Vadodara too. Sir — Solicitor General Tushar Mehta become impotent, and powerless, and
how they perceive events life-affirming way. Words learners resulting in the when directed outwardly, The celebrations remained largely inci- told the Supreme Court that hate speech- does not act in time.
around them. Childhood impact different people dif- release of dozens of stress- can rebound and cause havoc dent-free in the rest of the country with es were being made by several people Jayanthi Subramaniam | Coimbatore
bullying, verbal abuse in ferently because it depends producing hormones which in one’s own life. people coming out on the streets with against the members of the Hindu com-
domestic relationships, and on their understanding and ultimately interrupt brain (The author is an religious fervour and enthusiasm and munity and the court could not be selec- BT]Shh^daUUTTSQPRZcc^)
even word choice by medical conception of them. They are functioning. For adults, it educator) law-enforcement agencies on the watch. tive in its approach in seeking a response [TccTabc^_X^]TTa/V\PX[R^\
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n the Finance Bill, 2023 passed by are held by investors are deemed the perspective of the govern- 10 percent and for those earning

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I the Lok Sabha on March 24, 2023,
an amendment relates to a change
in the tax treatment of capital gains
from non-equity or debt mutual
funds (DMF). This has led to consterna-
tion in the investor fraternity including
high net-worth individuals (HNIs), cor-
STCGs and hence, liable to tax at
the rate applicable to the slab in
which their total income falls.
Given the way SMFs are
defined, the new tax treatment will
also apply to exchange-traded
funds (ETFs), international funds,
ment which is expected to make
laws with the objective of inclusive
growth that address the concerns
of all sections of society and not
just pander to the interests of a par-
ticular class. If the rich class is
made to pay more resulting in
Rs 900,001-Rs 1,200,000, it is 15
per cent. For all investing in
DMFs, the switch to taxing capi-
tal gains at the applicable slab rate
will be beneficial. Under the ear-
lier regime, these were taxed at a
higher rate of 20 percent.
SRUWUHPRWHDQGRQVLWHZRUN porate, and so on who argue this will gold/silver funds, outbound mutu- more revenue for the government. The Finance Bill, 2023 also
2QFHWKHDERYHLVGRQHWKHGHVLJQHULVUHDG\WRVWDUWZLWKKLV undermine efforts to deepen the bond al funds and even equity funds etc. This in turn, helps it cater to the addressed another anomaly. This
market which is crucial for financing the wherein the gains will be taxed at majority of the poor, this is perfect- one relates to a fancy instrument
GHVLJQWKLQNLQJSURFHVV$IHZDSSURDFKHVZKLFKPLJKWZRUNIRU long-term development needs of the the personal income tax (PIT) slab ly justified. called market-linked debentures
WKHGHVLJQHUZKLOHGHVLJQLQJDK\EULGRIILFHVSDFHDUHDVIROORZV
5HGHVLJQ\RXUSK\VLFDORIILFHVSDFHWRFUHDWHDPRUHIOH[L
economy.
They also say such a change should
F4=443C> rate. The amendment will be
applied prospectively from April 1,
Even so, the existing taxation
regime was arbitrary, inequitable
(MLDs). Unlike a normal deben-
ture on which a fixed return is
EOHZRUNHQYLURQPHQWWKDWVXSSRUWVUHPRWHDQGRQVLWHZRUN7KLV have been introduced in the Union ;>>:0C 2023. This implies that all MF units and customized to grant undue paid, MLD holders get a return
PD\LQFOXGHWKHFRQVFLRXVVHOHFWLRQRIIOH[LEOHZRUNIXUQLWXUHZKLFK Budget. This would allow for thorough already in possession of the inves- benefit to HNIs/corporate etc. linked to stock price movement,
FDQEHUHDUUDQJHGIRUGLIIHUHQWZRUNHQYLURQPHQWVGLVPRXQWDEOHSDU discussion in Parliament, instead of an C78=6B5A>< tors as well as those acquired be- Income earned by a person has no say the Nifty 50 Index. Earlier cap-
WLWLRQV\VWHPVIRUPDODQGLQIRUPDOPHHWLQJVSDFHVDQGTXLHWVSDFHV official amendment. Now that it is part of
the Finance Act, any discussion on the
C74 fore this date will continue to be
covered by the old dispensation.
colour. Irrespective of the source
from where earnings are made be
ital gains from listed MLDs were
taxable at 10 per cent if held for
7RGD\LWLVHVVHQWLDOWRXQGHUVWDQGWKDWWKHSXUSRVHRIWKHRIILFH
KDVFKDQJHGGUDPDWLFDOO\³DFFRUGLQJO\WKHVSDFHVLWXVHGWRFRQ
procedure adopted is merely academic. ?4AB?42C8E4 it salary, profit from business, more than a year. They were also
Before discussing the amendment that will IMPACT ON INVESTORS investment in shares, bonds or taxable at a slab rate if held for up
WDLQQHHGDOVRWRHYROYH7KHDPELHQFHRIDQRIILFHWRGD\LVGHVLJQHG take effect from April 1, 2023, let us look >5C74 Consider a high-income earn- mutual funds and so on, these add to 1 year. Now, these will be taxed
WRSURYLGHDSRVLWLYHDQGLQFOXVLYHHQYLURQPHQWIRUDOOHPSOR\HHV
7KHXVHRIZDOOSDSHUVFXUDWHGDUWZRUNGHVLJQHUZRUNIXUQLWXUHDQG
at the existing position. DMF is a scheme
that invests in fixed income instruments,
6>E4A=<4=C er earning Rs 2 crore per annum.
The applicable effective tax rate in
to her income. Therefore, the tax
treatment must be uniform. It can’t
at the slab rate even when owned
for more than one year.
GHFRUDWLYHOLJKWIL[WXUHVWRGD\KHOSGHVLJQHUVWRDFKLHYHWKDWGHVLUHG such as corporate and government bonds, F78278B her case is 39 per cent. Assume she vary depending on the source. To conclude, the 2023-24 bud-
corporate debt securities, and money mar- has invested Rs 100 in DMF units Yet, the regime gave preferen- get has ended DMF preferential
UHDOLW\7KHQHZWUHQGRIVHUYLFHGRIILFHVLVIRUFLQJWKHQHZRIILFH
GHVLJQWREHVWURQJO\LQIOXHQFHGE\KRVSLWDOLW\GHVLJQSULQFLSOHV
ket instruments etc. that offer capital 4G?42C43C> which yield a return of 10 percent tial treatment to income generat- treatment by taxing all capital
 :KLOHZHGRDOOWKHDERYHOHWXVUHPHPEHUWKHLPPLQHQWFOL
appreciation. Debt funds are also called
income or bond funds.
<0:4;0FB per annum. Further, assume that
inflation is 5 percent. With these
ed from DMF investment by tax-
ing capital gains from these at 20
gains — irrespective of the hold-
ing period — at the slab rate and
PDWHFKDQJHGLVUXSWLRQH[SHFWHGVRRQ(QHUJ\HIILFLHQF\DQGZHOO Currently, any capital gain on redemp- F8C7C74 basics, under the old regime i.e., 20 percent against the applicable slab withdrawing the indexation ben-
QHVVWKXVQHHGWREHGHIDXOWJRDOSRVWVIRUGHVLJQHUVWRGD\³QRFRP tion of units in a debt fund held for three per cent LTCG tax with indexation rate of 39 percent. It was discrim- efit. It has created a level playing
SURPLVHRQWKRVHDVSHFWV years or longer is treated as long-term cap- >1942C8E4>5 benefit, her gain at the end of three inatory even compared to invest- field by aligning their tax treat-
 )LQDOO\SOHDVHFRQWLQXRXVO\HYDOXDWH\RXUK\EULGZRUNVSDFH
V ital gain (LTCG) and is taxed at a flat 20
percent with the benefit of indexation (it
8=2;DB8E4 years would be Rs 17.4 (value of
investment Rs 133.1 minus infla-
ment in other avenues. For
instance, interest income from
ment with other avenues such as
FDs and bonds etc. It would be
HIIHFWLYHQHVVDQGDGMXVWDVQHHGHG*DWKHUIHHGEDFNIURPHPSOR\
HHVDQGPDNHFKDQJHVEDVHGRQWKHLULQSXW
adjusts the cost of a person’s investment 6A>FC7C70C tion adjusted cost Rs 115.7). Tax investment in fixed deposits (FDs) naïve to believe that this would
to account for inflation, effectively reduc- @20 per cent on Rs 17.4 comes to in banks or bonds issued by gov- lower the shine of such instru-
%\IROORZLQJWKHDERYHVWHSV\RXFDQSK\VLFDOO\FUHDWHDK\EULG ing her capital gains and in turn, her tax 033A4BBC74 Rs 3.5. Under the new regime i.e., ernments or companies is taxed at ments (read: debt MFs) as invest-
ZRUNSODFHWKDWLVIOH[LEOHSURGXFWLYHDQGVXSSRUWLYHRI\RXUHPSOR\
HHV
QHHGV+RZHYHULQDGGLWLRQWRWKHSK\VLFDOH[HFXWLRQFHUWDLQ
liability). Any capital gain on redemption
of units held by investors before three
2>=24A=B>5 tax rate in the relevant slab (39 per
cent in this example) and no ben-
an individual’s income tax slab rate.
These earnings don’t also benefit
ment in these units is liquid; it can
be withdrawn at any time unlike
PDQDJHULDODVSHFWVQHHGWREHSDUWRIWKLVFKDQJHPDQDJHPHQW years is treated as short-term capital 0;;B42C8>=B efit of indexation, capital gain at from indexation. FDs where premature withdraw-
$NH\DVSHFWRIDK\EULGZRUNSODFHLVWRQRWKDYHGHGLFDWHGZRUN gain (STCG) and is taxed at an individ- the end of three years will be Rs While HNIs should have no al attracts a penal interest rate.
VWDWLRQVIRUHPSOR\HHV7KLVFDQEHDPDMRUFKDQJHWRDGMXVWHPSOR\ ual’s income tax (albeit personal) slab rate. >5B>284CH 33.1 (value of investment Rs 133.1 grudges about paying more tax, Besides, the former offer investors
The amendment does away with this minus cost Rs 100). Tax @39 per those earning less, especially the the possibility of setting off capi-
HHV3OHDVHHVWDEOLVKFOHDUSROLFLHVDURXQGUHPRWHZRUNLQFOXGLQJ distinction in the case of ‘Specified mutu- cent on Rs 33.1 will be Rs 12.9 middle class, will not stand to lose tal gains in some units by short-
ZRUN KRXUV FRPPXQLFDWLRQ DQG SURGXFWLYLW\ H[SHFWDWLRQV al funds’ (SMFs) which essentially refer to which is almost 4 times the tax in the new dispensation. Under the term capital losses in others there-
2UJDQL]DWLRQVPXVWEHFRJQL]DQWRIWRGD\
VQHZUHDOLW\DQGHVWDE mutual funds where not more than 35 per- under the previous regime. It is this proposed PIT regime as per the by reducing tax liability. Any fear
OLVKWKHLUGHVLJQEULHIVDFFRUGLQJO\'HVLJQDQGSURMHFWSURIHVVLRQ cent of their total proceeds are invested steep increase in the tax burden 2023-24 Budget, a person with that the amendment would impact
DOVVKRXOGORRNDWWKHZRUNVSDFHWKURXJKDOOOHQVHVEHIRUHUHFRP in equity shares of domestic companies. that is hurting the high-income annual income up to Rs 700,000 funding the long-term develop-
PHQGLQJVROXWLRQVWRWKHLUFOLHQWV As a result, gains arising from SMFs irre- (The writer is a policy earners. pays ‘nil’ tax. For those earning Rs ment needs of the economy is
7KHZULWHULV0DQDJLQJ'LUHFWRU&RUSRUDWH)LWRXWV&ROOLHUV,QGLD spective of the period for which the units analyst) We need to look at things from 700,001-Rs 900,000, the tax rate is without any basis.

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:NK-U\KXTSKTZS[YZKTY[XKZNGZZNXKKOTYZOZ[ZOUTYL[TJKJH_OZLUXZNK]KRLGXKULZNKJOYGHRKJVUV[RGZOUTL[TIZOUTVXUVKXR_GTJJKRO\KXOTXOMNZKGXTKYZ
n a welcome move which next month i.e., April. time over the past years, but additional secretary in the actually taking steps to Bhuvan maintains that themselves respecting their

I though, comes much after


dilly dallying for years,
the Government has now
He also expressed confi-
dence that by the end of April
month they will send three
the posts were never filled up.
To corroborate their
points, in this regard, they
Ministry.
In the absence of appoint-
ments of a candidate through
empower, handhold the sec-
tor which has big potential if
given the chance. As per the
it’s high time that the govern-
ment adopts a right-based
approach instead of the
autonomy and freedom of
choice. The disability rights
model focuses on equality
promised to fill by April-end proposals to the DoPT. After have drawn attention to a a transparent process, new latest report, India has 3 crore Charity Model. Charity model and non –discrimination, rea-
the top-level vacancies at the that the final accreditation will reply to a query in Parliament policies, existing programmes people with a wide range of of disability views the person sonable accommodation,
three statutory institutions 1B381>19H>C8 come from the ACC in 2021 when Union Social and funds remain half-heart- disabilities. with disabilities as the prob- accessibility, breaking down
— Chief Commissioner of (Appointment Committee of Welfare and Empowerment edly implemented. Focus of The Council formed lem and dependent on the barriers, equal participation
Persons with Disabilities the Cabinet), the Secretary Minister of State, Pratima the NT, RCI and CCPD has under the Rehabilitation sympathy of others to provide and inclusion and private and
(CCPD), National Trust (NT) submitted before the Standing Bhoumik, while admitting lost in between, leaving the Council of India Act, 1992 is assistance in a charity or wel- public freedom, says Dr Dilip
and Rehabilitation Council of Committee on Social Justice that the post of Chairperson, sector to fend on its own, mandated to regulate and fare. This model treats the dis- Kumar Upadhyay, Associate
India (RCI) — of the Union and Empowerment when RCI, has been lying vacant laments activist Alok Bhu- monitor the training of reha- abled as dependent upon soci- Professor, Faculty of Law,
Ministry of Social Justice and asked about the vacancy posi- since September 15, 2015, wan from Manovikas bilitation professionals while ety. Thus, leaving them hap- Madhav University, Rajas-
Empowerment. tion in the offices of the three the steps were being taken to Charitable Society. the activities of the National less and helpless, dependent than.
The Secretary of the statutory bodies. Headed by fill the post. This apathy also leads Trust include training, aware- on the benevolence and char- By ensuring that the three
Persons with Disability De- Lok Sabha MP Rama Devi, However, it is needless to one to doubt government's ness and capacity building ity of the so-called ‘abled’ in important institutions seri-
partment, Union Ministry of the panel submitted its report say that this has not happened intention if it is really keen for programmes and shelter, care- the society. ously deliver what they are
Social Justice and Empower- last week in Parliament. till date. Presently, Secretary transparent appointments for giving and empowerment to In contrast, the Rights- meant to, the Government
ment in a recent submission However, disability rights Rajesh Aggarwal is the offici- the sensitive posts or wants to the people with intellectual based model of disability will be implementing what
before a Parliamentary Panel activists are not impressed. In ating head of the RCI and NT. put its cronies who toe the disability. Similarly, CCPD regards disability as a normal has been enshrined in the
said that the process is on to fact, they have dismissed these This speaks volumes of how government’s line. The delay has been conceived with an aspect and that the disabled Universal Declaration of
fill the posts. He submitted (The writer is a special cor- promises as just lip service. serious the Government is for in appointment is also aim to ensure legal rights of are equally entitled to rights Human Rights, 1948. That is
that the candidates were being respondent with The Pioneer. They argue that advertise- the welfare of the sector. The strengthening the doubts that the sector enshrined in the as others, ensuring that crite- ‘all human beings are born
shortlisted and interviews will The views expressed ments for appointments have CCPD is headed by bureau- the government is just doing Persons with Disability Rights ria for support programmes free and equal in rights and
be held in the first week of the are personal) been published from time to crat Upma Srivastava, an lip service but not keen in Act. are prioritized by people dignity’.

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