Monday, December 14, 2009

Turmoil in orissa house

About 28 farmers commit suicide over the past four months

The Opposition Congress members created a ruckus in the Orissa Assembly over the issues of alleged suicides by farmers and the mining scam last week. With pandemonium continuing, the House was adjourned thrice for ten minutes each.

These two major issues are being used by the Opposition to corner the Naveen Patnaik government that has been ruling the state for the last twelve years. Incidentally, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) — the alliance partner of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in the initial two elections only to snap ties in the 2009 local polls — has also joined in.

Their leaders leave no chance to highlight the ruling government’s failure in addressing farmers’ problems.

The party known for ignoring Opposition seems to be upset with the latest development in the state. Till date, at least 28 farmers have committed suicide in the state over the past four months of which more than 15 were from the western part of the Orissa — considered the ‘rice bowl’ of the state.

Besides, the government is also in the dock for its role in the Rs 14,000 crore mining scam. The Congress is seeking a CBI probe into the whole episode.

Cornered, the government has rolled out a number of schemes for the farmers whose rabi crop was destroyed by poor rainfall. However, the Congress is not willing to take the government-run rescue mission at face value. They say that the government has not come out with any concrete rescue package for the debt-ridden farmers who are distressed due to crop losses. And they are in such a sad position that they can’t even pay back their debts taken from the local agents.

“The government has no right to remain in power, as it has failed to rescue the farmers of the state. Forget about compensating the debt-ridden farmers, the government should have at least consoled the deceased family members”, BJP state president Suresh Pujari said.

Farmers’ issues has tarnished the clean image of Naveen Patnaik. “Farmers of the state are upset with the chief minister, as he has done little to address their real problems. The government has not added a single inch of irrigated land during its regime. It has neglected the agricultural sector and the farmers are suffering,” Central minister and senior Congress leader Srikant Jena told TSI.

The usual response from the government has been that it would look into the matter.
For Complete IIPM Article, Click on IIPM Article

Source :
IIPM Editorial, 2009

An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative


Monday, December 07, 2009

“It was a truly people’s upsurge”

Subhendu Adhikari, Trinamool Congress MP from Tamluk and son of Union minister of state for Rural Development Sisir Adhikari, talks to Chandrasekhar Bhattacharjee about the people’s revolt against the highhanded policies of the CPI (M). Subhendu defeated CPI (M) heavyweight Laxman Sett in the last Lok Sabha elections What were the challenges you faced in Khejuri?

The CPI (M) men heckled me every time I went there to campaign for my party. They even spat on me, manhandled me and tore my dress. Yet I never contemplated revenge. On the contrary, when the violence broke out our men helped the family members of CPI (M) leaers to reach safe places. We even gave protection to the family of the notorious CPI (M) leader Himangshu Das. Ask his wife and elder brother.

What was the provocation that made you block the entry of five CPI (M) ministers’ into Khejuri?

Allowing them in would have been taking a big risk. Over 12,000 people were out on the streets, recovering firearms and ammunition from CPI (M) party offices. We had earlier told police about the stockpiles, but they remained mute spectators. The recoveries had put the people on edge.

Do you think the people of Nandigram are happy with this development?

It’s not a matter of happiness, but of satisfaction. They are now sure they can sleep well in the days to come, which they have been unable to do since March 14, 2007. The first firearms recovery was made from the house of CPI (M) leader Subrata Kar’s house in Jahanabaad, Khejuri on April 29, 2007. This was a month-and-a-half after the Nandigram massacre. Had police acted at that time there would have been no such people’s upsurge. The police inaction was obviously due to CPI (M) pressure. This upsurge has removed that obstacle. Now even the police can hope to function without fear or favour.

For Complete IIPM Article, Click on IIPM Article

Source :
IIPM Editorial, 2009

An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative


Friday, December 04, 2009

The makings of another disaster?

25 years on, NGOs have failed to sink their differences

NGOs working overtime to wrest justice for the victims of the Bhopal gas tragedy are at loggerheads with each other all of 25 years after the world’s worst industrial disaster shook the city. More than 8,000 people lost their lives and thousands were injured when a deadly methyl isocyanate gas leaked from the Union Carbide plant at midnight on December 1984. After the disaster, a number of forums, groups and different political parties came together to fight to secure justice for the gas leak victims. They formed a common front named Zaharili Gas Kand Sangharsh Morcha. Owing to this organisation’s concerted effort many victims got justice.

But within a few years, infighting surfaced among them regarding the principles and practical approach to work for the victims. Things went from bad to worse six years ago when Champa Devi Shukla and Rashida Bee of Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery Karmachari Sangh were awarded the Goldman Environment Prize by the American Public Association for their relief work among gas victims. The dispute was over the use of the prize money. Rashida Bee claimed that the award was for the individual. But Sunita Shrivastava didn’t accept this, arguing that the prize money should be distributed among the gas victims. Irked by the development, she left the Sangh and founded Bhopal Gas Peedit Stationery Karmachari Morcha. Since then relations between the two has continued to fester.

However, it was expected that on the 25th anniversary of the disaster they would come together. But no such signs are visible. Gas Peedit Nirashrit Pension Bhogi Sangharsh Morcha’s president Balkrishna Namdev says: “It’s difficult to solve these disputes because they believe in different approaches and principles in tackling the crisis. It is a tragedy.”

Sadhna Karnik, convener of Gas Peedit Sangharsh Sahyog Samiti, says: “If clashes and ideological disputes persist even 25 years after the diasaster, then what is the need to have joint programmes? However, on major issues we all are together and make joint efforts to achieve our ends.”

Rashida Bee pointed out that though efforts are still being made for collective action, it is not possible anymore to operate from one platform. But Abdul Jabbar, convener of Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Udyog Sangathan, hasn’t lost all hope. He emphasised that though differences and diputes have cropped up, we are all working for the rights of the gas victims. He expects that everyone will come together once more on the 25th anniversary of the Bhopal gas disaster.

For Complete IIPM Article, Click on IIPM Article

Source :
IIPM Editorial, 2009

An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative


Thursday, December 03, 2009

Born on 26/11

TSI Profiles some Indians whose birthday last year was engulfed by death and destruction

Ayear ago, on November 26, India was halted in its tracks by a bunch of bloodthirsty terrorists who sneaked into Mumbai and unleashed mayhem. They opened fire at the CST, killing scores of innocent people, and attacked one of the city's best known landmarks, the Taj Mahal Hotel, besides the Oberoi Trident and Nariman House. By the time they were done, the intruders had left a trail of death and destruction. TSI traces out a few Indians from across the country who were celebrating their birthday that evening. Will they be celebrating their special day this year as well, or will they opt for a quiet day of mourning for all those who lost their lives in the terror attack? Life will go on, as it always does. but it will probably never be the same again!

For Complete IIPM Article, Click on IIPM Article

Source :
IIPM Editorial, 2009

An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative