Challenges Faced by Nawaz Sharif in Pakistan

By – Shaurya Shekhar – Follow Him on @ShauryaShekhar

Pakistan Muslim League (N) Leader Nawaz Sharif (centre), flanked by his brother Shahbaz Sharif and daughter Maryam Sharif addresses supporters at a party office in Lahore, after victory

It has been a very important week for Pakistan, some would even call it a milestone- it is the first time a democratically elected Government is passing power to another democratically elected Government.

Now lets put it in perspective:-

Pakistan & India were born on the same day – 15th August 1947. Yet 65 years down the line, they are having their first democratic & fair power transition. India on the other hand has successfully held 15 such Elections & the 16th one is due in 2014.

I feel it is important for us to congratulate the Pakistani people for coming out in such large numbers to vote for ‘change’, while braving the dangers posed to them by the Taliban & other fascist groups too. The public has done its job by casting its vote, the time has now come for us to see how good the ‘change’ will be. How well Nawaz Sharif’s Government will perform remains to be seen. Pakistan is at the moment staring in the face of a default on balance payments, this problem is compounded not only by the energy crisis but also by the environment of lawlessness which exists in the State.

Nawaz Sharif’s past two terms as Prime Minister were very problematic because of a belligerent Army- Sharif has always attempted to clip their wings & the Army has never taken kindly to such attempts. This finally ended in a bloodless coup in 1999, after which the Pakistani Army infiltrated Kargil & initiated a full-scale war.

Nawaz Sharif’s terms as Prime Minister have been characterized by constant trading of barbs between the Prime Minister’s Office & the Office of the Chief of the Pakistani Army. Sharif has always maintained that according to the Constitution, the Prime Minister is the real head of Pakistan & not the Chief of the Army (he stated this again during the Election Campaigning). This will obviously ensure that relations between two of the most powerful offices of Pakistan continue to remain frosty (at least till General Kayani retires).

Mr. Zardari had virtually surrendered the foreign-policy to the Army after an un-cooperative Army under General Kayani threatened to dethrone him too! With General Kayani retiring this year, we can hope for a new, friendly & fruitful relationship to be formed between the new Prime Minister & the new Army Chief, whoever he may be. The Army’s decreasing influence in the foreign affairs & the economy of the country will enable Nawaz to take decisions in the best interests of the country.

Nawaz is also faced with a sputtering economy. The economy has grown at less than 4% per year under the Zardari administration whereas earlier the growth used to be somewhere around 7% per year. The fiscal deficit picture is equally gloomy-  the previous Government had hoped to limit it to 4.7% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), however, many economists feel that it will zoom past this mark. This problem is aggravated by the energy crisis, which we shall discuss later.

Pakistan is on the verge of defaulting on balance payments, in simple words, they are about to go bankrupt. The only possible way out is another multi-billion dollar loan from either the International Monetary Fund (IMF) or the World Bank, these loans depend on the continuing good relations of Pakistan with the United States of America. Another way out of this mess would be help from India, however, the Army once again has always played spoilsport, they have always been of the opinion that an Indian foothold in their economy in the form of investment would be a huge liability, & would give India an upper hand in negotiations, trade talks & border talks too!

However, the diminishing influence of the Army could mean that Pakistan could try to open up a whole new level of friendship & co-operation by asking India for help. It would also promote regional stability & would help cultivate peace between countries, which have in the past fought 3 bloody wars.

Let us now discuss the energy shortage in greater detail. Pakistan suffers from power cuts of around 18 hours everyday, industries in & around Sharif’s constituency itself have shut down (the case all over Pakistan is similar). Shutting down of industries has also resulted in large-scale unemployment.

No energy means no industries, which in turn means an adverse affect on the country’s economy & we have already discussed how Pakistan’s economy is already on the brink of collapse. Subsidies on energy have sapped the Government’s coffers & are putting a great strain on national finances.

The Iran Gas Pipeline project seems to be the only way out for Pakistan. Pakistan’s own reserves are dwindling & this heightens the importance of quick implementation of the Pipeline Project. They need this Project badly to put an end to their energy woes.

However, this Pipeline comes with it’s own set of problems, it will irk the United States because the Pipeline goes against the sanctions imposed by them on Iran. Pakistan also cannot risk irritating the United States, because they could hold the key to Pakistan’s financial woes. It will be interesting to see how Nawaz walks the tightrope, because correct handling of this Pipeline Project could solve both the problems- energy woes as well as the economy problems.

Nawaz Sharif also faces the prospect of building good relations with Afghanistan, after the withdrawal of American troops. Pakistan’s duplicity, unwarranted ambitions & it’s role in America’s failure in Afghanistan have taken strained the relations. With the United States gone, it would be foolish of us not to expect the Taliban & other terrorist organizations to try & once again make the Pakistan-Afghanistan belt a ‘terror hub’ to export death & destruction. America is leaving behind a war-torn country, which is seething with anger & this makes for a perfect setting for terrorists to set up shop again. Pakistan will have to contribute effectively & constructively for peace to prevail, which will be crucial to the development of Pakistan.

Pakistan is also reeling under a spate of terror attacks. The irony is that the citizens are now victims of something, their own country helped create, had Pakistan been serious about tackling Islamic fascism, we wouldn’t have been faced with this huge problem, which is snatching away innocent lives every other day. Recently, the Army launched offensives against the Pakistani Taliban, who then retaliated with a spate of bomb blasts which left around 130 dead, right in the middle of the Elections. The Pakistani Taliban is single-handedly responsible for the recent spurt in violence & bloodshed in Pakistan, & this needs to be curbed at once. As expected, the Taliban is attacking only the secular liberals who support the recent Army operations, Nawaz Sharif will have to ensure that Pakistan’t tolerance of such extremism comes to an end immediately, he will also have to ensure that  Pakistan finally retraces its path, starts afresh on the path of ‘secularism, tolerance & non-violence’.

The most difficult relationship is likely to be with the Americans. Sharif, like almost every other candidate in this election campaign, has risen on a wave of anti-Americanism. His brother Shahbaz Sharif had stopped all projects by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) in Punjab province as a mark of anger against Washington’s policies and its use of drones. The army has its own multi-dimensional quarrels with Washington, especially over the use of drone missiles, which remains to be a huge point of contention. America will obviously support the use of drones because it ensures a reasonable degree of accuracy, without putting their own men at risk. The main losers in the usage of drones are the innocent people living around the targets. For the United States, which has already lost thousands of people in the Iraq war, the ‘drones’ are perfect, they ensure that the Americans remain safe thousands of miles away, while controlling the the deadly birds with the help of a joystick. Pakistan will have to bargain hard if they want to persuade the United States not to use drones. However, Sharif knows that he cannot afford to antagonize the United States too much because he will be needing their support to garner aid from the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank & other global organizations.

Let’s now turn our attention to the elephant in the room- the Kashmir issue. It has dated back to 1947, & has been the cause of two bloody wars (one was fought over Bangladesh). Pakistan has always adopted policies which have resulted in destruction, deprivation & backwardness. In this continued conflict, the Kashmiri people have suffered the most. Whether Pakistan likes it or not, the fact is that the Instrument of Accession was signed by Maharaja Hari Singh & that makes Kashmir an ‘atoot ang’ of India. For the past 65 years, Pakistan has been stuck up over Kashmir, & look where they are. The hatred they have harbored has eaten them from the inside. Its time to move on.

Pakistan is also faced with criticism from one of their staunch supporters- China, which has become increasingly concerned and even privately critical of Pakistan’s pandering to extremism and the Taliban, will now seek an ally in Nawaz Sharif. China is also worried because militant Uighur Muslims from the Chinese province of Xinjiang are still receiving training in Pakistan.

I have just tried to highlight a few problems faced by the new Prime Minister of Pakistan. Blaming India or Afghanistan for helping create Pakistan’s own domestic instability, as former regimes have done, resolves nothing. Pakistan stands isolated and disliked in the neighborhood and rebuilding its reputation is not going to be easy. But I sincerely hope he is more successful than his predecessors.

Wishing Mr. Sharif all the very best!

Thank You For Reading

Shaurya

You can also read this article Here- http://shauryaspeaks.wordpress.com/2013/05/16/challenges-faced-by-nawaz-sharif-in-pakistan/

The Modi Mirage

By Akil Bakhshi – Follow Him on @Akilbbz

The constant clutter surrounding Mr.Modi and his inevitable ascendance to ‘The Chair’, is only getting louder. The sounds which previously pleased the ears, are gradually turning into a desperate noise. Turn on the Television, Log on to the Internet or Read a Newspaper- everybody seems to be espousing the cause of Mr.Modi’s Prime Ministership. Or so it seems. In the hullabaloo, voices of dissent and varying opinion are consistently being overlooked, stifled and suppressed. While India stands on a precipice- choosing its side amongst a Communist Left, a Socialist Center and an Anarchist Right- its citizens are left to deal with massive corruption scandals, the resultant political bickering and frequent parliamentary disruptions. Amidst the chaos, Narendra Modi appears to be the only sane choice! He is a strong man. His oratorical skills are polished. He has made Gujarat prosper. Yes. He can indeed lead us towards a new Revolution, can’t he? This line of thinking has assumed such a massive proportion today, that if you don’t blindly side by it, you end up becoming an object of disgust and public ridicule. More often than not, you are labelled corrupt, biased, non-patriotic and even non-religious. Despite these connotations, it is important to objectively analyze the successes and failures of Brand Modi. What is it that the man truly stands for? Are we really seeking deliverance through him or do we plan to jump from the corrupt frying pan into a criminal fire? Simply put, Is Narendra Modi actually the magic wand that Dr.Singh doesn’t possess? Can he take this nation to greater heights? Is he, as the urban middle class puts it, “the answer”? For this purpose, it is vital to decipher the code of the aura that surrounds him.
They say the deeds of the future can easily be gauged by actions of the past. Let us understand how much of Mr.Modi is authentic, and how much of him is cooked.

1. Myth- The Riots of 2002 hold no relevance in 2013–

Fact– If you are an Indian sitting in North America, Yes, they don’t. If you are tweeting from an Indian metropolis, Yes they don’t. If you are a Hindu, Maybe, they don’t. But if you are a Muslim living in Gujarat or for that matter in any other part of this country, they seem like they just happened yesterday. The horror of 2002 can not be suppressed under trumpets of ‘development’. If I begin to write about the gory details of what happened in February that year, you may not want to read any further. Let us just restrict ourselves to the fact that a certain Babu Bajrangi admitted to have ripped the bellies of pregnant women apart, in order to draw the fetuses out and swing them in a pit. He also, on camera, boasted about how his goons had cut off women’s breasts and played with them. All this, while the state police acted like the perfect audience- standing & watching in either absolute delight or total disgust. When the man was arrested, he revealed the names of two such individuals, who had ordered him to continue unabated with the massacre- The National President of the ‘Vishwa Hindu Parishad‘ and our beloved Gujarat Chief Minister. As if this was not enough, a woman named Maya Kodnani was arrested in 2012. She was accused of distributing revolvers and provoking the crowds to ‘seek revenge’ in 2002, which lead to the grievous murders of 96 people. Do you know what she did in this intermediate period of ten years? She served as the ‘Women and Child Development’ Minister in Mr.Modi’s cabinet. Even today, the Gujarat Government does not want them sent to the gallows. Is this Mr.Modi’s unflinching belief that his minister is innocent or a back-channel sinister deal which may prevent her from spilling the beans? Let us believe its the former. Let us also believe that the SIT’s ‘clean chit’ (The sanctity and selectivity of which has been time and again questioned in the Media) to Mr.Modi is true. Yet, is it not a fact that Mr.Modi sat like a lame duck while his state was being butchered? Is it not true that our ‘Great administrator’ was unable to prevent killings, order curfews or ask the police to act? Mr.Vajpayee, being the statesman that he was, called this act ‘A Failure of Raj Dharma’. It is surprising that his party today has decided to overlook his observations and promote Mr.Modi as the ultimate savior. His reluctance to apologize or even talk about the riots, speaks volumes about his character- a bloated sense of power and omnipotence. Google these traits and you’d come up with a psychopathic disorder called ‘Megalomania’.
A lot of times the riots of ’84 are used to justify the riots of ’02. The usual Congress Vs BJP pitches are raised. Let me make this very clear- ANY sort of riots are condemnable. ANY attack on humanity is preposterous. ANY genocide needs to be prevented. The Sikhs of ’84 have not yet got justice, but they have delivered a Prime Minister. The Muslims of ’02 too have not yet got justice, and their bete noire still refuses to wear a skull cap.

2. Myth- The ‘Development’ of Gujarat is exemplary–

Fact– ‘Development’ is too wide a phenomenon to be classified in a certain time frame and be limited to a certain class of people. If you believe that in the last 10 years, Mr.Modi has changed the face of Gujarat, you are wrong. If you believe that his ‘growth’ has been all-pervasive & inclusive, you are wrong again. Let me present you with factual data that is usually put forth in either a distorted or an exaggerated manner. If you think these claims are false, drop in a word in the comments section- I would be more than happy to list down my sources.

a. With about 250 dams on the verge of drying up, the water scarcity in Gujarat is mind-boggling. More than 4000 villages and 100 towns, across 10 districts have been declared ‘Scarcity hit’. People either have to travel miles in order to fetch water or they have to wait for the eternally elusive water tanker, which makes its appearance once every week. The government has failed miserably on account of handling drought and water recharge. The lack of this basic amenity speaks volumes about the so-called ‘Vibrancy’.

b. The Gujarat Government claims to have signed Memorandums of Understanding with foreign firms, which would entail an FDI flow of $876 Billion in the state. This would mean that Gujarat, despite its geographical and financial limitations has overtaken a country as large as China, which can barely manage an FDI of $600 Billion. Thereby, Gujarat has suddenly become an investor’s paradise, a business haven! [In case you misunderstood the last statement, it was sarcastic.] Technically, the possibility of any of this occurring is veritably Zero. There have been no studies undertaken in this regard, no research conducted and certainly no data collected. I wonder where these figures came from, then. And all this brouhaha, irrespective of the fact, that the CM stands in opposition of FDI flows on a national level but invites them vigorously for his fiefdom- Genuine intention or Indiscriminate Desperation?

c. The Hunger and Malnutrition levels in Gujarat are higher than even the poorest states of India. One of the major reasons for this is a towering income disparity between the rich and the poor-the Hindus and the Muslims. The CM attributes this state of affairs to ‘figure-conscious adolescent girls who refuse to drink milk’.
The Dairy cooperatives of Gujarat have indeed been a massive success- All thanks to the efforts of Dr.Verghese Kurien- A man who Mr.Modi had sour relations with. Dr.Kurien passed away in 2012 and the Chief Minister did not bother to attend his funeral- Are egos supposed to transcend mortal lives?
While a liberally ‘Customized’ atmosphere of booming employment opportunities is provided to the urban middle class, the rural areas of Gujarat lag far behind. Talking of rural areas, Gujarat has undoubtedly electrified all its 18,028 villages but strangely 17,940 of them were electrified years before Mr.Modi assumed power. He has merely sent electricity to the 88 remaining hamlets and then claimed the credit for all of it.
The statements above may have been haphazardly put, but there was no way to link them to one another. Such is the comprehensiveness and detail of Gujarat’s inconsistencies.

d. While Corruption is a serious issue nationally, the Gujarat Government seems to make very little of it. A Lokayukta, despite constant reminders from the Governor, was not appointed for a good period of 8 years in Mr.Modi’s 10 year reign. When the Governor took action and appointed one herself, his appointment was challenged in the court. The court didn’t just strike down the CM’s appeal but also gave him a rap on the knuckles. My question-If there is nothing to hide, why is an independent Lokayukta’s appointment being feared? Secondly, the CAG reports about Gujarat government’s involvement in shady land deals and trickery have been woefully underplayed. Is there a nexus that reaches right to the top, of which we know nothing? I am sure the Chief Minister will have a lot of explaining to do when it emerges that Gujarat’s debt has tripled in the last 10 years. How the economy is then being managed, is totally beyond my understanding.
If such is the model that we plan to reconstruct for India, I would not give us more than a decade to survive.

3. Myth- Modi is a Lion- The sole beacon of Light in India–

Fact– Skilled Oratory does not make lions, neither does good organization. A debater and an event manager can do just the same. What makes this metaphor really stick is the ability to take well-thought out decisions, stay flexible, respect heterogeneity and be brutally honest. Unfortunately, not many of these characteristics hold good with the Chief Minister. Outside Gujarat, his magic has plummeted. Most election campaigns that he has been an active part of, have ended disastrously for his party- Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Karnataka- being the recent cases in point. He has successfully polarized the social networking sites into Modi-Lovers and Modi-Bashers, each trying to ‘Trend’ something fancy and in the process generating an excessively abusive environ. His ‘Popularity’ has been surviving on the sole crutch of ‘Technology’. His ‘Larger than Life’ image, having been created by a PR firm, which in all probability, is being heavily funded by public money. His perseverance it appears, is surpassed only by his narcissism. Some lion, alright.
With Dr.Singh being called a Lamb and Mr.Modi being projected as a Lion, India seems to be a big Zoo that both of them are willing to compete for.

India, with its massive diversity, needs a man who can unite- not a man who is known to divide. Tolerance and Acceptance have been a part and parcel of our culture. By compromising with both, Mr.Modi can only whip up a short-lived dream, not a long-sighted reality. This article is not meant to portray him in a derisive light. Neither is this meant to support the ruling dispensation. This only intends to chalk out an actual picture of what we are being shown and what is really going on. Regardless of all his flaws, if you plan to elect him, he will certainly end up being the Prime Minister. Else, History would remember him as a Prime Dreamer who created an extensive Mirage for himself and then drowned in the ripples of his own falsifications.

P.S.- All abusive comments and angry retorts will be published. They would go a long way in showing your character and in the process, substantiate this article.

You can also read this article Here – http://akkilbakhshi.blogspot.in/2013/05/the-modi-mirage.html

A corruption free story

I used to dread this C word so much during my dictation tests at school(always confused whether its Cu or Co) ,but thanks to the “Anna” movement and Mr. Kejriwal’s expose, I have no have no hesitation in spelling it now.  But this post is not about Mr. Kejriwal or his so called war against corruption. This is just a short story about breaking free from the shackles of corruption, and it is quite possible that most of you might be able to connect with it.

 
Once upon a time in 1994 I accompanied my dad to the BSNL office to get a land-line connection. All you can think of on a sultry afternoon standing in a queue at a sarkari office is how worse Dante’s hell could be. Making way through this hell, somehow we managed to get,fill and submit the application form. Telephone was a luxury back then and to get a connection one had to do the right rituals which were-pay the charges,then bribe the ‘dalal’,(crude version of Middle Men )then bribe the clerks and the bada babus, anxiously wait for a month.

 
But it did not end there, similar austerity had to be practiced every month for paying the bills(unless you bribe to get in through the back door) and the penance became even more severe if mother nature  did not like the wires carrying your voices occasionally showing her rage on them.

 

The only option was to bribe the mechanic again to hear the “tring tring” again.

 
But suddenly things changed in 2002 with BSNL and counterparts declaring free incoming on mobile phones. The queues in the same office became shorter and the extra income source of the ‘bada babus’ and company was butchered. The only people who visit the place are the people who require an internet connection and i am positive that with the current progress in the field the building will be maintained by India archaeological department in the near future.
Yes, you are right, curbing corruption in the country is a far more uphill task but somewhere the above mentioned situation was a part of it and today it doesn’t exist. This is all that is needed, a practical approach to increase facilities and that is how we replace the wires of corruption with towers of good and cheap service.

Criticisms of the Food Security Bill: Empty vessels with a lot of noise

Criticisms of the Food Security Bill: Empty vessels with a lot of noise

The introduction of the ‘Food Security Bill’ in the Parliament has initiated a debate about its implications, credibility and effectiveness. Some voices have even called it redundant and irrelevant in a developing economy. But is this discussion really worth? Are we trying to read too much in between the lines?

To answer these questions let us have a quick overview of the ‘Food Security Bill.’ Here are the highlights of the bill:

Priority households are entitled to 5 kgs of foodgrains per person per month, and Antyodaya households to 35 kgs per household per month. The combined coverage of Priority and Antyodaya households (called “eligible households”) shall extend “up to 75% of the rural population and up to 50% of the urban population”.

The PDS issue prices are given in Schedule I: Rs 3/2/1 for rice/wheat/millets (actually called “coarse grains” in the Bill). These may be revised after three years.

Children’s Entitlements

For children in the age group of 6 months to 6 years, the Bill guarantees an age-appropriate meal, free of charge, through the local anganwadi. For children aged 6-14 years, one free mid-day meal shall be provided every day (except on school holidays) in all schools run by local bodies, government and government aided schools, up to Class VIII. For children below six months, “exclusive breastfeeding shall be promoted”.

Children who suffer from malnutrition will be identified through the local anganwadi and meals will be provided to them free of charge “through the local anganwadi”.

Entitlements of Pregnant and Lactating Women

Every pregnant and lactating mother is entitled to a free meal at the local anganwadi (during pregnancy and six months after child birth) as well as maternity benefits of Rs 6,000, in instalments.

The Criticisms:

1.       Government should focus more on reforms and not on doles

The most popular argument against the Food Security bill is that the Government is trying to buy votes for the 2014 elections by this bill. Is it? In my opinion many of the UPA government’s policies were for the welfare of the people. Votes in any subsequent elections because of the policies will just be a domino effect. It is something like a cricket player playing for team’s victory; personal records are bound to follow.

At the same time the Government has clearly mentioned that the bill has room for improvement and its flaws can be identified and rectified after its enforcement.

Another amazing (and rather amusing) part of this argument is asking the government to focus on reforms.  Not very long ago, the same voices were criticizing the government for FDI (and MNREGA,and  liberalization,and globalization etc well the list is long). This is a paradigm shift and such voices aim at maligning the government and not positively criticizing it.

2.       Criticism by the Gujarat Government

The Gujarat government has raised strong objection on the bill and has termed it against the federal structure. It further criticizes the bill for its loose definition of ‘migrants’ in various states and wants the bill to clearly identify ‘migrants’ and ‘infiltrators’.

The first part of the argument is understandable from a ‘Gujarat government point of view’ as the bill  does not give the aforesaid government a chance to take credit for a historical decision, when the Gujarat CM wants to take credit for every single developmental step in Gujarat.

The second part of the argument is a bit shocking. Can Indians be infiltrators in their own country? Well, maybe in Gujarat they are. (Remember in the India Today Conclave Shri Modiji blamed the ‘migrants’ for Gujarat lagging behind some states on various grounds)

Also, on the same grounds if Gujarat is opposing Food Security, why didnt it oppose Mahatma Gandhi NREGA or Right to Education.

 3.       The bill is against work ethics

Many (including some eminent columnists and economists) have argued that the Food Security Bill will degrade the work culture as it targets two-third of the population, which can influence the GDP.

The influence on GDP is certain but in a positive way. The bill will provide a level of financial security to the beneficiaries, which in return will instigate them to focus on their betterment.  Does the subsidy on LPG kill the work ethics of the middle class? So, why segregate the less fortunate on a similar issue?

The bill extends a helping hand for pregnant and lactating mothers. This move will instil a feeling of self-sufficiency in women and reduce the burden of families in which the father is the sole breadwinner. This is a welcome investment on human resource.

It is true that the bill has to face the test of time and the challenges for the Public Distribution System are immense. But it certainly gives us hope that in the near future India will not be recognized as a country ‘where the major part of the population does not enjoy the privilege of a square a meal a day.’

The National Food Security Bill 2013

The National Food Security Bill 2013 has been introduced in the current Lok Sabha session which seeks to enact The National Food Security Act 2013.

This Bill which has been in the drafting stage for quite some time has undergone a large number of amendments and has been finally brought in by the UPA Govt. It is one of the flagship schemes of the Congress party as well as Sonia Gandhi and promises to change forever the way food distribution is handled in India.

This Bill provides major relief to the common man who falls under the ‘eligible households’ as covered under the ‘Priority Household’ category.This in turn is defined under Section 15 of the proposed Act, as well as the Antyodaya Anna Yojana referred to in sub section (1) of Sec 3 of the said Act.

Under this Act a provision has been made to provide 5 kg of food grains per month per person to those identified under this scheme. This will be given at highly subsidized rates as prescribed under Schedule I of the State Govt under the TPDS (Targeted Public Distribution System).

This has been done under Sec 3(1) of the said proposed Act.Besides, the proviso also says that all households covered under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana shall,  as specified by the Central Govt in relation to each State, be entitled to 35 kg of food grains per household per month at the subsidized prices specified in the said Schedule.

The subsidized price in relation to these food grains could extend to as high as 75 percent for the rural population and up to 50 percent for the urban population.

Moreover, every pregnant or lactating mother would be entitled to a meal free of charge during pregnancy and 6 months after the child birth, through the local Anganwadi so as to meet the nutritional standards as set up in Schedule II of the said Act.

For children up to the age of 14 years this proposed Act provides:

In the case of a child between six months to six years, a meal free of charge through the local Anganwadi.

For children between the ages of six to fourteen years one midday meal to be provided free of charge in all schools aided by Govt as well as those run by local bodies. All these meals would be in conformity with Schedule II of the nutritional standards as prescribed by the Govt in this Act.

Every school and Anganwadis shall have provision for cooking meals, drinking water and sanitation.

In addition the children suffering from any malnutrition would be identified and provided all meals absolutely free of charge to meet the nutritional standards as prescribed under the said Act.

In case of non-supply of these food grains for any reason whatsoever the food security allowance would be paid to the identified people by the respective State Govts.

Apart from the above, the Act also provides obligations for the Central Govt as regards Food Security. The Central Govt would release from the central pool the required quantity of food grains to the respective State Govts under the TPDS (Targeted Public Distribution System) so that the allocated level of supply of food grains to meet these schemes is always maintained.

The food grains would be transported to the various depots as prescribed by the Central Govt. The monitoring and implementation of these schemes will however largely be left in the hands of the concerned State Govts. These Central Govt schemes could be run in tandem to any other schemes being run by the State Govts themselves.

In view of the above provisions it is amply clear that the provisions of the proposed Food Security Bill 2013 are in the nature of largely benevolent provisions and can eradicate hunger and poverty from the face of this Nation once and for all.

 The only catch is that once it is passed, it should be implemented both by the Central and the respective State Govts with all the zeal and passion it deserves.

The National Food Security Bill 2013 is therefore a well thought out carefully planned blueprint for the effective eradication of hunger and malnutrition from our Country.

It requires careful and consistent application on the part of both the Central Govt as well as all the respective State Govts. It is after all a scheme spread out for the whole of India and for its successful implementation the effective participation of the State Govts is a must.

Although it’s true that the food grains as well as the other items for distribution would be provided by the Central Govt yet all the distribution and monitoring has to be handled by the respective State Govts to the satisfaction of the Central Govts and as per guidelines which are laid down by them.

It is therefore naive to suggest that this programme can be successful without the effective participation of the Central Govt, the State Govt and all its local bodies.

The Center in its wisdom has brought about this phenomenal piece of legislation which seeks a sea change in the way we look at our poor. No right thinking person can seek to oppose this Bill as the fortunes of millions of the urban as well as rural poor are dependent on this.

So let the right thinking polity get together, think rationally and force the negatives out of the system.

Sarabjit Singh’s Death- Timeline of Action Taken

There is widespread criticism of the Indian Government regarding the way which it has handled the case of Sarabjit Singh, but no one is listening or willing to listen to the facts , all of which are in public domain 

 

 

Actions that have been taken prior to attack in jail

• Government has consistently urged the Government of Pakistan, on several occasions, to take a sympathetic and humanitarian view in the case of  Sarabjit Singh.

 

• Prime Minister was assured by President Musharraf during their meeting in New York in 2005, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly that he would look at the question of clemency to Sarabjit Singh in a humanitarian way. The then External Affairs Minister,  Natwar Singh, took up the matter with the Pakistan High Commissioner in New Delhi and also with President Musharraf, during his visit to Islamabad in October 2005.

• MEA had formally requested the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi on March 17, 2006, to treat the matter sympathetically and to examine his mercy petition with compassion.

• The then External Affairs Minister in a Suo Motu Statement in the Lok Sabha on March 18, 2008 appealed to the Government of Pakistan to treat Sarabjit Singh’s case with clemency on humanitarian grounds.

 

• On August 11, 2011, the then EAM, while giving a statement in the Rajya Sabha remarked on the case of Sarabjit Singh stating, “it is not our case that he was involved.  We don’t share that” and, “it is necessary for them to take a humanitarian view.”

• The matter was raised with Pakistan at India-Pakistan Home/Interior Secretary Talks held in Islamabad on May 24-25, 2012 and India-Pakistan Foreign Secretary level talks in New Delhi on July 4-5, 2012.

• The then EAM took up the matter with the Foreign Minister of Pakistan on July 8, 2012 during a bilateral meeting held on the sidelines of a conference on Afghanistan in Tokyo and also during his meeting with Pakistan Foreign Minister on September 8, 2012 in Islamabad.

 

• Following the release of  Surjeet Singh, another Indian prisoner, from Pakistani jail, the then EAM made a press statement on July 27, 2012, wherein he had mentioned, “I have seen media reports about the impending release from imprisonment in Pakistan of Surjeet Singh, son of Sucha Singh.  I welcome the decision and further renew our request to the President of Pakistan to release Sarabjit Singh, who has been in custody for well over 2 decades and is serving a death sentence.  As you are aware, the Government of India has consistently urged the Government of Pakistan, on several occasions, to take a sympathetic and humanitarian view in the case of Sarabjit Singh.”

• The issue was again taken up with Pakistan during the meeting between the Home Minister and Pakistan’s Interior Minister, Mr. Rehman Malik in New Delhi in December 2012.

 

Efforts made by HCI, Islamabad in the past:

 

• On the request of the High Commission of India, Islamabad consular access was provided by the Government of Pakistan in 2005 and on September 6, 2005, the High Commission confirmed the nationality of Sarabjit Singh, as Indian.

 

• Subsequently on 19.4.2008, 09.09.2009 and 14.06.2011, Government Pakistan on the request of the High Commission of India provided Consular Access for Sarabjit Singh to the High Commission officials for ensuring and enquiring about his welfare and well being.

 

• High Commission of India, Islamabad also assisted his sister Smt. Dalbir Kaur, his wife and two daughters during their visit to Pakistan from April 23-29, 2008. On April 24, 2008, the Govt. of Pakistan allowed the family to meet Sarabjit Singh in Kot Lakhpat Jail, Lahore. His sister again visited Pakistan in June 2011, the High Commission interceded with the Pakistan authorities for arranging her meeting with  Sarabjit Singh in the jail.

 

• The members of India-Pakistan Judicial Committee on Prisoners met Sarabjit Singh and other Indian prisoners during their visit to Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore on April 22-23, 2011.

 

• Following the reports about alleged poisoning and mental torture of Sarabjit Singh by officials in Kot Lakhpat Jail, the High Commission of India, Islamabad again requested the Government of Pakistan for special consular access for Sarabjit Singh. Government of Pakistan provided special consular access to High Commission on September 6, 2012. During the consular access it was observed that he was in good physical and mental health. However, request was made to jail authorities by Mission’s consular team to arrange his complete medical checkup. While no official response has been received from Pakistan side on the matter, however, lawyer of Sarabjit Singh has sent a medical report dated October 16, 2012 of Home Department, Govt. of Punjab which states that his physical health is satisfactory and all vital functions are intact.

Actions taken immediate after the attack on Sarabjit Singh on 26.4.13

·         On 26.4.13 our Mission started receiving reports of an attack on Sarabjit Singh in Kot Lakhpat Jail (Lahore). Our Mission immediately contacted the Pakistan MoFA and demanded immediate consular access. It also despatched a Consular team (comprising First Secretary and Attache level officials) to Lahore. Pakistan authorities granted Consular Access to our team at 2:00 am on 27.4.13. They also established contact with the doctors treating Sarabjit Singh.

·         The two-man consular team has remained stationed in Lahore since 26.4.13.

·         On 27.4.13, Indian Deputy High Commissioner met a senior official of the Pakistan MoFA (i.e, DGSA) and made the formal demand for a full inquiry to identify those guilty, and for arrangements for continuous Consular access to Sarabjit Singh, as well as visas for Sarabjit Singh’s family members in the event they wished to visit.

·         Simultaneously, in India, PHC, New Delhi was also contacted on 27.4.13 to ensure that family members of Sarabjit Singh were given visas. Pakistan initially agreed to grant only two family members visas. On MEA’s intervention, PHC New Delhi was finally prevailed upon to grant visas to all 4 members of the family who had expressed desire to travel to Pakistan.

·         Arrangements were made for the family members to cross over at the Attari-Wagah check post on 28.4.13.

·         HCI Islamabad was also instructed to make full arrangements for the family members’ stay in Lahore.

 

Background to the case:

 

According to available reports,  Sarabjit Singh is in Pakistani Jail since 30.08.1990. The Anti-Terrorism Court, Lahore awarded him capital punishment on 03.10.1991 for murder through terrorist acts of 4 bomb explosions in Lahore (3 blasts) and Multan (1 blast). The Supreme Court of Pakistan upheld the sentence on 18.08.2005. However, lawyer and family members of Sarabjit Singh claim that he was a farmer and strayed across the border inadvertently. They also allege that this is a case of mistaken identity and the crimes were committed by a person called Manjeet Singh. In the list of Indian prisoners handed over by Pakistanon January 1 and July 1, every year, his name is mentioned as Sarabjit Singh @ Manjeet Singh.

A mercy petition to the President of Pakistan, filed in 2008, was dismissed on 19.02.2008. According to  Sarabjit Singh’s lawyer, Sarabjit Singh alias Manjit Singh had filed mercy petitions before the President of Pakistan on 19.02.2010 and on 18.06.2010. Lawyer of Sarabjit Singh reportedly filed another mercy petition with President of Pakistan on May 29, 2012. The decision of the President of Pakistan on these petitions is still pending.