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09/06/2010: "A triumvirate of ills Raj Gandhi The Hindu"

A triumvirate of ills Raj Gandhi The Hindu

AP LAMENTABLE: Deep-rooted corruption inpacts the poor. A scene in Mumbai.
Among three factors that undercut India's progress and development, corruption in public institutions emerges as the kingpin.
As the national flags are furled up after Independence Day until the next occasion for leaders to fill the air with patriotic speeches listing progress and achievements, a candid assessment of the state of the nation makes for grim reading. Kashmir is rocked by civilian unrest, with the gains of the inclusivity achieved by the last State elections practically nullified. The Maoist guerilla movement now spans the entire eastern flank of the country. Assam, Nagaland and Manipur face their own separatist fires. Complementing this violence and unrest at sickeningly regular intervals are fresh revelations of multi-crore-rupee scams resulting from the nexus among politicians, criminals and profit-hungry corporate entities. These are but reminders that as this country touts its cultural, religious and spiritual past and invites the world to visit “Incredible India,” it remains one of the most poverty-stricken, strife-ridden and corrupt nations in the developing world.
Is this development?
As a people, many Indians feel proud of the undeniable economic progress the country has achieved over the past decade and the attention it now gets on the global stage. This is largely because it offers multinational companies a market comprising an affluent middle-class, which, in number terms exceeds the entire populations of many, if not most, countries.
As India aspires to sup at the high-table of nations, it will make sense to assess if the new-found development conforms to the true meaning of the word. And, concurrently, it should reflect on and understand the significant connection among the three factors that threaten to thwart these aspirations: deep-rooted corruption in government, mass-violence and unrest in an increasing number of States, and alarming levels of poverty and hunger in marginalised but numerically significant segments of the population that seem to have completely missed the progress train of which the rest of the people are proud passengers.
While governments in India proclaim the significant rise in per capita gross domestic product (GDP) as evidence that poverty levels are decreasing, this indicator of economic well-being is quite inadequate as a measure of the level of actual economic deprivation in a population. Being poor also means having low levels of education, being disproportionately vulnerable to loss of health or curtailment of income, natural disasters and crime. It includes being genuinely voiceless and powerless, feeling discriminated against and mistreated by state institutions, and lacking status under and recourse to the law. Additional indicators are low daily caloric intake and levels of female literacy.
Within this multi-dimensional context for viewing poverty, its correlation with corruption in government institutions becomes more transparent. Corruption erodes and cripples the capacity of the government to provide the public services that would mitigate the poverty-inducing factors listed above. Tax evasion by offering bribes lowers governmental revenue, and further reduces its capability to offer infrastructure support to the poor. Corrupt governments at the State and Central levels tend to focus spending of public money on high-tech capital goods and equipment purchases, since bribes and illicit gains are large in such transactions. Public spending on health, education and access to law and justice consequently becomes a lower priority, impacting the poor who need such services the most. Money from existing schemes is leaked and siphoned off all the way down the line until only a trickle reaches the intended beneficiaries.
Deep-rooted corruption in the public institutions thus perpetuates poverty. It seriously impacts the poor in the socially marginalised ethnic, religious and caste groups, alienating them further and strengthening their perception of being left out of the progress being made by the rest of the populace. It is this feeling of isolation and helplessness that triggers support for and participation in conflict. Discontent and exclusion thus act as catalysts for mass unrest and violence as witnessed in many parts of the country.
Corruption, poverty, violence
This connection between corruption and chronic poverty coupled with marginalisation and violent uprisings, is exemplified in the Maoist movement.
The fertile ground for support among the local people for the violence in Jharkhand, for instance, is in no small measure due to the two-year reign of a certain Chief Minister who allegedly looted the State of the equivalent of almost a billion dollars. Unchecked and massive expansion of mining operations without regard to tribal or environmental concerns was allowed, setting in motion a process that in the next five years will have tragically displaced half a million of the State's poorest and most deprived tribal people, who depend on the fast disappearing forest land for a livelihood.
The story is repeated, with minor variations, in some other eastern States. It is thus no coincidence that maps of India's richest mining territories (which have witnessed massive public corruption), chronically poor forest tribal populations and militant Maoist activity would all cover the same regions and look almost identical when superimposed on each other.
Low-level
One need not always look at multi-crore-rupee scams to see the lamentable consequences of corruption. There is a correlation between even low-level extortion and deep human tragedy. A newspaper ran the story of 14-year-old Aditya Dube of Allahabad, who, on his way to school at 6.30 a.m. was crushed to death by a speeding truck. A city ordinance forbids trucks from plying there after 6 a.m. because the road that connects to the highway at either end of the city also runs through the school district. But policemen routinely allow trucks to enter, and stop them to collect a bribe of Rs. 50 from each driver. It was business as usual that morning too — except that this one driver decided not to pay, and, in his haste to dodge the policemen, ran over the child.
In the same copy of the newspaper, on the page opposite to the one carrying that story, is a report of how several infants died within a short time after being administered a vaccine at the anganwadi of a village. Government health centres often stock medicines and vaccines supplied by fake drug dealers, which are ineffective at best, or, as perhaps in this case, deadly at worst.
Thus, in the triumvirate of ills that have undercut genuine progress and development of India, corruption in public institutions emerges as the kingpin. It exacerbates chronic poverty and increases the marginalisation of the most vulnerable in society. The resulting feelings of discontent, deprivation, lack of choice and helplessness then prepare the ground for those who would organise and mobilise these groups, inciting them to violence. Corruption in public institutions is India's own Osama. It does not hide in the mountains, but is out in the open and permeates the very core of daily government functioning. Its reach is phenomenal, and its consequences tragic. We can continue to ignore it only at great national peril.
(Raj Gandhi is Professor of Physics at the Harish Chandra Research Institute in Allahabad. He is at nubarnu@gmail.com)
FNR reiterates call NPN)
DIMAPUR, : Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) has once again requested all Christian organizations and their Churches and prayer centers to mark September 12 and take a moment of prayer time in their respective worship/mass/vesper services, for consummation the Naga Reconciliation.
Since its birth in February 2008, FNR said the mandate of the Naga people has been to call with urgency for a “meeting of the highest level leaders, at the earliest” and was resolved at the Sumi Baptist Church, Dimapur, on September 25, 2008, by 47 organizations, followed by the “Naga Peace Convention”, at Kohima local Ground, February 22, 2009, attested by 45 organizations and also at Saramati Hotel, Dimapur, August 25, 2009, reaffirmed by 46 organizations.
FNR informed that the NBCC, CNBC, NCRC and Nagaland Catholic Churches and the Christians in Germany, USA, Italy, African Baptist Federation, Australian Baptist Union, Baptist Union of Denmark, the European Baptist Federation and the Quakers have requested their respective constituencies to mark September 12 as a special day of prayer for Naga reconciliation. Other organizations from around the world would also be supporting the Naga reconciliation process on the same day, it added.
Some of the prayer points which the FNR has requested included; pray that God would speak to the Naga leaders to follow His command for reconciliation among all Naga political groups, that the highest level leaders would attend the meeting whenever the FNR arranges, without fail etc.

NPC remembers 1964 ceasefire day Our Correspondent Morungexpress
Kohima The Nagaland Peace Centre (NPC), Kohima today organized a thanksgiving service here in remembrance of 1964 ceasefire day. Speaking on the occasion at the function held here at the NPC office, NPC chairman N. Theyo said that peace which "were are celebrating today once in every year on 6th September 1964 was chosen for the inauguration of the ceasefire." Terming it as a red letter day in the history of Nagaland, he said it marked the end of one era and the beginning of another. He said the public meeting and special services in the church were held to welcome and to support the peace move throughout
Nagaland.
He stated that Baptist Convention at Wokha was held from January 31 to February 2, 1964. The Nagaland Baptist Convention which was attended by more than 5000 representatives from all the tribes of Nagaland, unanimously resolved to request the Government of India through the state government of Nagaland to open further avenues for making available the services of Late Jay Prakash Narayan, Sankardev, Bimla Prasad Chaliha and Rev. Michel Scott with the sole object of exploring ways and means for speedy restoration of peace and normalcy in Nagaland.
The NPC chairman added that the church leaders of Nagaland was requested to give every possible cooperation for the success of the peace mission, adding the Wokha Convention appointed a special committee consisting of Rev. Longri Ao, Rev. Shihoto, Kenneth Kerhwo and Toniho Chishi. On February 2, 1965, the ruling NNO party had a two days’ long session and resolved to welcome and support the peace move. The opposition Democratic Party of Nagaland also welcomed the peace proposal and requested both over-ground and underground to give serious thoughts to the proposal and to refrain from the act of violence in the way of peace talk. The Nagaland Legislative Assembly also resolved to support the peace mission and constituted a nine members committee to assist the church leaders. The committee was headed by then Chief Minister of Nagaland Late Shilu Ao and included the opposition leaders.
Theyo stated that the peace achieved on September 6, 1964 “is real peace which is also a legacy of late Jay Prakash Narayan who had established the peace centre of Nagaland, Kohima.” The NPC chairman also said the idea of peace proposal was initiated by the Nagaland Baptist Church leaders who were men of peace and men of God. “So the Naga people are the roots of every organization without which it is liable to be weak and unable to sustain the difficulty and adversity. Nagas are always in the history from time immemorial who fight against injustice and tyranny.”
“Nagas who give serious thoughts to the national workers and who were fractured into factions are now brought together by the FNR,” Theyo said adding “the Naga Reconciliation Meet was held in Chiangmai, Thailand from June 1 to 8, 2009, which resulted in signing a document ‘Covenant of Reconciliation’ by the NSCN (IM), NSCN (K), GPRN/NSCN, FGN&NNC and the latest by Unification Group.”
“This is the opportunity for Nagas including national workers for political survival and we should not miss this opportunity,” Theyo added. Lhusi Haralu and several other members also spoke on the occasion and expressed their views on the Naga political issue. Earlier, responsive reading was led by Lhusi Haralu while C. Puro, associate pastor CBC Kitsubozou said thanksgiving prayer. The function concluded with a mass prayer.
Naga leaders pray for peace in the land
Our Correspondent
Chedema | September 6
The NNC/FGN today reaffirmed its commitment to peace and to continue to strive till its goal is achieved. At a commemoration-cum-thanksgiving programme on the 47th Indo-Naga Ceasefire Day held at the Chedema Peace Camp today, Naga leaders held a mass prayer for peace in the land where they prayed for a final political settlement on a permanent basis besides for reconciliation and healing among the Nagas. The leaders also prayed for cessation of fighting and bloodshed between the Naga groups and wisdom to the Naga political leaders and for understanding and harmony between different communities.
On the occasion, the leaders also remembered and paid tributes to the deceased leaders and pioneers of the Naga movement. Delivering a speech on the significance of the Indo-Naga ceasefire declaration, Rev. L. Kari Longchar, Director of Peace Affairs, NBCC gave a brief background of the Indo-Naga conflict, the political position of the Nagas, the position of the Government of India against Naga stand; the waging of war on Naga soil and the NBCC’s role in the Naga issue. He also presented some prayer points for the Nagas for permanent peace in
the land.
Also speaking on the occasion, Rev. Yankey Patton recalled the historic signing of the Indo-Naga cease fire while Rev. Beilieü Shüya, his her message, urged the people to advocate ahimsa and panchshila and to adhere to Christian principles and keep the cease fire going till the goal is achieved. Vice President L. Temjenba Lkr chaired today’s simple yet solemn programme. Kedahge of the FGN, Viyalie Metha was also present on the occasion. Special songs were also presented during the programme by Chakhesang Baptist Church, Ministers’ Hill, Kohima, Chakhesang Baptist Church Kitsubozou, Kohima, Chedema Baptist Church and CRC Chedema. Former Naga MP, Mrs. Rano M. Shaiza pronounced the benediction. The programme concluded with a grand feast. Naga leaders and representatives from various regions participated in today’s programme.
Committee to study “Naga commission” DIPR
Kohima, September 6 (DIPR): Chief Secretary of Nagaland, Lalthara, IAS, has informed that the Government of Nagaland has constituted a committee to look into issues connected with the collection of a “tax” called “Naga commission” by a local NGO. The committee consists of Additional Chief Secretary & Commissioner Banuo Z Jamir as chairman and Secretary for Home Meilemla, Secretary for Forest Elusing Meru and Secretary for Law Nihoto Chishi as members and OSD for Revenue Ashi Khieya as member-secretary. They are to study the background to the practice of “Naga commission” in the state including Dimapur, to examine the constitutional, legal and administrative validity of the collection of “Naga commission” in the state, to examine the representations submitted by the NGO, Naga Council of Dimapur, and to suggest legal and administrative measures to deal with the matters relating to collection of the tax by Naga Council, and collection of any other taxes, fees/tolls etc by any other organization in Nagaland. The committee will submit its report within 3 months.
Nagaland workers to join nationwide strike morungexpress
Kohima, September 6 (MExN): The AISGEF & trade unions goes on a nationwide strike on September 7 to press the authorities to concede five charters of demands. The CANSSEA and officers of rural banks in Nagaland will be joining the strike.
The demands stated that price rise of essential commodities to be contained through appropriate corrective and distributive measures such as PDS and containing speculation in commodity market, to fill up the large number of vacancies in government departments through regular appointment, to abolish “contractorisation”, privatization and outsourcing in government functions/services, to bring all the contract/part time/daily waged employees under regular establishment by regularizing their services and withdrawal of the PFRDA bill and to resist all attempts to do away with social security schemes including the existing Defined Benefit Pension Scheme and bring the New Pension Scheme into the erstwhile defined benefit pension scheme. It also demands the guarantee and the ‘right to strike as a fundamental right of the employees.’
The Confederation of All Nagaland State Services Employees’ Association (CANSSEA) as a unit of the trade unions’ federation resolved on August 31 to extend support and solidarity to the nationwide strike
Also, the Nagaland Rural Bank Officers’ Association (NRBOA) has decided to observe and participate in the one-day All India General strike on September 7 as per the call of the apex association (AIRRBEA).
The demands include, halt price rise, recruitment and job security, stop outsourcing and “contractualisation”, strict enforcement of labor laws, social security for unorganized workers and stop disinvestment of public sector banks and enterprises. A note informing this was received from the association today.