THE HINDU:1

ST
JAN-2013
On shaky foundation
The draft of the 12th Five Year Plan covering the period 2012-13 to 2016-17, approved by the
National Development Council last week, aims to achieve an annual average growth rate of 8 per
cent, scaled down from 8.2 per cent. The Prime Minister has called the target aspirational, while
a few Chief Ministers, notably Narendra Modi, found it lacking in ambition. Political statements
apart, it is clear that the focus on growth rates has tended to distract attention from the rest of the
planning exercise. In retrospect, most official projections have been over-optimistic. The approach
paper of the 12th Plan talked of an annual average growth rate of between 9 and 9.5 per cent. The
Prime Minister had gone even further, hoping for double-digit growth rates during the latter part of
the Plan. What made those projections totally unrealistic was the fact that the economic slowdown
was already getting reflected in successive quarterly GDP data. The Union Budget (2012)
projected an ambitious growth rate of 7.6 per cent, way above what most other forecasters had
estimated at that time. The government has been slow in lowering the forecasts even when
conclusive evidence of deceleration has been coming in. True to form, the government expects the
economy to grow by between 5.7 and 5.9 per cent this year the first year of the 12th Plan
when the growth during the first half has been at just 5.4 per cent. Considering that a revival in
manufacturing where the slowdown is most pronounced cannot happen that quickly, an annual
average rate of 8 per cent over the plan period can be achieved only if the growth rate in each of
the last three years is well above 9 per cent.
The Planning Commission is banking on reinvigorating a few existing policies while expecting
vastly improved performance in certain key areas: gross fixed capital formation rate to go up to 35
per cent from the present 32 per cent, with the private sector playing a major role in catalysing
such investment; a new look industrial policy that focuses on better coordination between the
government and the private sector to vastly improve business sentiment; stressing the importance
of national industrial manufacturing zones in a scheme of reviving industrial output. More
controversial are suggestions to streamline labour laws by increasing the threshold employment
for labour legislation to 300. The case for increasing agricultural growth to 4 per cent largely
through technology absorption is unexceptionable. Yet all these and more may not be sufficient to
achieve an annual growth rate of 8 per cent. Since any likely shortfall will reflect adversely on the
planning process itself, the question then is: is the obsessive focus on growth rates
counterproductive?
France leads the tax debate
The December 28 decision by the French constitutional court, the Conseil Constitutionnel, that
President Franois Hollandes showpiece 75 per cent income tax for high earners is unfair and
therefore unconstitutional may look like a severe political setback, but when examined more
closely turns out not to be quite that. The court rejected the tax, which would have affected all with
an annual income above one million, because French income tax is levied on households and not
individuals, so it would not apply, for example, to a couple each of whom earns 900,000 but
would apply to any individual earning a million euros or more. Only about 1,500 people would
have had to pay the new rate, which was due to take effect today and was expected to raise 500
million in a crucial contribution to Mr. Hollandes plans to reduce the budget deficit to 3 per cent
of GDP by 2014. One high-profile opponent is actor Grard Depardieu, who says he now plans to
move to Belgium, apparently for tax reasons, and has responded to Prime Minister Jean-Marc
Ayraults criticism of his move as shabby with an angry open letter claiming that the Socialist
government is punishing success and talent.
Mr. Depardieus position has, however, been criticised by, for example, the award-winning actor
Philippe Torreton, who says that the move amounts to leaving the French boat in the middle of a
storm. Unemployment, at 3 million, is at a 15-year high and has crossed 10 per cent after rising for
16 months in succession; the French central bank estimates an economic shrinkage of 0.1 per cent
in the third quarter of 2012. Much of the public argument among artists and other celebrities is
focused on the division between those who see paying the higher rate as a patriotic duty and those
who consider it an unfair imposition, but the court decision itself has been made by a largely
conservative-appointed court, which also includes three former presidents ex officio, all of whom
are also conservatives. That fact will add fuel to the political flames, not least because in August
2011, 16 of Frances wealthiest people, including the LOral heiress Liliane Bettencourt and
several major chief executives, published an open letter in the magazine Le Nouvel Observateur
calling for higher taxes on the rich as a matter of national solidarity in a time of economic crisis.
Mr. Hollande and his government plan to revise the tax proposal and reintroduce it, but whatever
the outcome, France is leading the way by showing that tax rates are about the nature of society
and not just about technical issues.
In Myanmar, a winning hand for America
While Washingtons engagement with Burma is a demonstration of
the triumph of diplomacy over isolation, the future depends on
Yangons commitment to democratic processes
The recent upturn in the United States relations with Myanmar a key neighbour of India
was the outcome of years of diplomatic manoeuvring following the 1988 democracy uprising and
the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) military governments refusal to
acknowledge the 1990 general election results. It was also a result of the U.S. governments dual-
track policy of using carrots and sticks.
Unlike India, which moved to normalise relations with SLORC by the mid-1990s, the U.S. made
some fundamental demands as a condition for normalising bilateral ties. These included: the
release of all political prisoners (over 2,000 held in different prisons across Myanmar in the
beginning of 2012), inclusive dialogue with opposition parties and ethnic minorities, adherence to
United Nations non-proliferation agreements on nuclear weapons and an end to any illicit
cooperation with North Korea, greater accountability on human rights issues, and an end to
violence against ethnic minorities. The U.S. also asked the Myanmar government to hold free and
fair by-elections.
Steady steps
On January 13, 2012, a total of 651 political prisoners were either released or offered presidential
pardon by the Myanmar government. Those released included prominent political prisoners,
including leaders of the 1988 democracy uprising, the ex-military intelligence chief and deposed
Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt, and ethnic Shan leaders Hkun Htun Oo and Sai Nyunt Lwin,
who were sentenced to 93- and 85-year prison sentences respectively.
Second, the Thein Sein government signed ceasefire agreements with several ethnic armed groups:
the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP), Chin National Front (CNF), Karenni National Progressive
Party (KNPP), Karen National Union (KNU), Karen Peace Council (KPC), National Socialist
Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K), New Mon State Party (NMSP), Pa-O National
Liberation Army (PNLA), and Shan State ArmyNorth (SSA-N).
Third, the government successfully held by-elections in April last year. Pro-democracy leader
Aung San Suu Kyis National League for Democracy won in 43 of the 44 seats it contested. One
seat each was won by the ruling USDP and the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP). The
Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) candidate captured the seat where the NLD
candidate was disqualified. The SNDP won a seat from the Shan state. The participation of the
NLD and other political parties associated with ethnic minorities boosted the governments claim
for legitimacy and credibility of its seven-step road map towards democracy that initially began
in 2003.
As the Obama administration promised to reciprocate action for action, Derek Mitchell, Special
Representative and Policy Coordinator for Burma, was confirmed as the new U.S. Ambassador on
June 29. U.S. investment sanctions were lifted on July 11, which was followed by the suspension
of import bans on goods from Myanmar on September 27. The lifting of investment sanctions
enabled U.S. companies and international financial institutions such as the World Bank and
International Monetary Fund to begin re-establishing links with Myanmar.
The U.S. made four important achievements from the improvement in relations: it demonstrated
the triumph of diplomacy over isolation; it won an assurance that Myanmar had not engaged in
any illicit engagement with North Korea on nuclear programmes; it was able to emerge as a
symbol of democracy and human rights around the world; and it got to build a firmer foundation
of its presence in Southeast Asia.
In addition, the improvement of relations enabled the U.S. to re-establish the U.S. Agency for
International Development (USAID) mission to Myanmar, to lend support for a normal UNDP
country programme, and to facilitate travel to the U.S. for select Myanmar officials and
parliamentarians. It also paved the way for the U.S. and Myanmar to cooperate on the recovery of
the remains of Americans missing in action or taken prisoners of war during World War II.
By improving bilateral relations with the United States, the Myanmar government achieved the
goal of legitimacy it had long sought. Until the April by-elections, the U.S. and other western
nations still considered the results of the 2010 general elections unrepresentative of the people.
The other major achievement was the lifting of sanctions.
Obamas visit
The positive diplomacy culminated in President Barack Obamas visit to Myanmar on November
19, the first ever visit by a sitting U.S. President. His historic tour was, however, criticised by
several rights groups, which argued that it was premature to make such a high-profile visit when
violence still continued in the Kachin and Rakhine states, and when political prisoners remained
behind bars. The Obama administration said the Presidents visit was to acknowledge the
democratic reforms and to encourage further reforms.
On a positive note, both governments must be congratulated for taking the necessary steps to
improve bilateral relations. However, the primary concern now is whether political gestures from
the Myanmar government will lead to addressing ethnic minority problems, which remains at the
heart of decades-old conflicts in the country. When can the Myanmar government sign a ceasefire
agreement with ethnic Kachins, and will the signed ceasefire agreements with various groups lead
to guaranteeing autonomy?
Moreover, will the 2008 constitution be amended to remove the inherent role of the military in
politics, which is currently guaranteed 25 per cent of seats in Parliament without election? Will all
remaining political prisoners be released unconditionally? Can the Rohingya problem be resolved
amicably? Uncertainty remains as to how the U.S. government will respond in case of the non-
fulfilment of these expectations.
Overall, 2012 was a significant year in terms of diplomatic rapprochement. Nevertheless, the
longevity and durability of bilateral relations between the two nations will be contingent upon how
democratic transition progresses inside Myanmar.
(Nehginpao Kipgen is general secretary of the U.S.-based Kuki I nternational Forum. His
research focuses on the politics of South and Southeast Asia, concentrating on
Burma/Myanmar.)
Now, the tragedy of the common species

NOT RARE ENOUGH: With their low economic values in the illicit trade, common species are not getting
the protection of enforcement. Photo: K. Ananthan
TOPICS
India needs to shed its blinkers and recognise that the widespread
hunting and trapping of species not on the mainstream protection
radar is being grossly ignored
Last month, a video set in Nagaland went viral. It traced villagers in Nagaland fastening nets on
the banks of a reservoir. Trapped in them were small, indignant, shrieking birds; falcons that had
flown in from Siberia. Amur falcons, insectivorous birds of prey, stop at Nagalands Doyang
reservoir each year on their way from Siberia to southern Africa. They spend a few days in
Nagaland to fatten up for their transoceanic journey to Africa. This year, an estimated one lakh
Amur Falcons were trapped and killed by villagers for the commercial meat trade. Both the trade
and the appetite for the Amur falcon seem to be growing: while some birds were transported in
trucks for sale in places far from the trapping spot, others were discarded, simply because too
many had been caught.
Year after year, India speaks out at international fora about its culture of tolerance, particularly at
meetings for wild species conservation. Being a diplomatic norm, platitudes of this sort are not
surprising. There is merit too, in this argument: the same philosophies have led India to saying a
blanket no to hunting of animals on the mainland, as per law. The country has also said no to
policies of sustainable wild animal use, which other countries with meat eating histories have
adopted: with quotas on hunting, or (theoretically) controlled bushmeat/wildmeat consumption.
But there is reason to believe that we are ignoring a burning problem in our midst the
widespread hunting and trapping, especially of species that do not figure on the mainstream
protection radar. Our policymakers are uncomfortably close to believing that the land of
tolerance, does not in fact hunt its animals.
Indiscriminate
The word hunting evokes several connotations. The activity of stalking an intended victim, the
wait for the prey, and the allure of the strength of the hunter-predator have held central, forceful
value in many civilisations. The Mughal emperors hunted to showcase their pomp and their
strength, and the British hunted man-eating tigers, or problem animals, in India and other countries
to exercise a tightly orchestrated symbol of control and power. As an independent nation with a
gleaming set of environmental laws, we have declared these symbols as an anachronism.
It is argued that trapping is different from hunting. Trapping animals in nets and snares suggests a
certain opportunism, and with unerring certainty, a by-catch (a term used most regularly for
fishing) of non-target species. Depending on the way you look at it, trapping with the intention to
eat whatever gets caught is a source of bushmeat; trapping with the intention of poaching a target
species invariably leads to the ensnaring of non-target species: like deer being caught in snares
meant for tigers. We have had a corporeal, intense focus on the poaching of charismatic species
(the tiger, leopard, lion, snow leopard, elephant) which are trapped for a lucrative and well-funded
poaching trade. What we seem to have lost, both as spectators as well as enforcement direction, is
a focus on common or widespread species which are being trapped and killed all over India, and
indiscriminately.
In 2010, the Munia, a small colourful melodious finch, was found to be sold for as little as Rs.150
for 100 birds by investigators from poaching watchdog TRAFFIC India. That is a value of less
than Rs.2 for each bird one that is endemic to India, threatened, and found in increasingly
fragmented landscapes. Nesting in bushes and shrub, the Munia, much like the House Sparrow, is
losing habitat all over the country, which is its only natural range. The fact that it is sold for
nearly nothing, and perceived as common, demonstrates the ease with which it is caught. Similar
investigations reveal that it is birds that dont have to be displayed that are increasingly being
found in the meat trade. These are birds that are concealed, kept in half-dead conditions, and then
sold for a pittance: reducing the risk of detection. This also means that a boggling number of small
birds are in this meat trade victims of trapping, trapping of any and every species that gets
caught. Up to 450 species are in this illegal trade, with birds being the single genus most widely
traded illegally among all the hunted species. The Francolin, wading birds, Pintail, Shoveler and
Sandpiper are other birds, still plentiful, which disappear in this way.
Peaks in winter
The trade peaks in winter, where meat-eating is at a premium. This coincides with the migratory
season, and as in the case of the Amur Falcon, has meant a calibrated, site-specific effort to kill. In
the late 1960s, Garrett Hardin, an ecologist, coined the term, the tragedy of the commons. He
was referring to how people, users of resources, tend to overuse and exploit commons: like
meadows, even if they knew that doing so would deplete the resource for all its users. The term
has been used most often in contemporary times to refer to the overexploitation, intense and
continuous, of the sea and marine resources.
I would go a step further in saying that what is happening to our birds, and the killing of these
birds, is the tragedy of the common species. Few species are common any more, but it does follow
nearly often that the common species gets disregarded, overlooked or otherwise not valued as
exciting, simply because there are so many individuals of that species.
The anthropogenic allee affect is a theory that suggests that with human-induced rarity of a
resource (like poaching or trapping), human attempts to extract that resource (i.e. more trapping)
increase even as resource availability goes down. This explains why items that are so rare are
always higher priced, corresponding to their high demand. It further explains why the increased
price (the belief in desire stemming from rarity) causes even more exploitative measures towards
extraction of the commodity. This has been the sad course of human desire resources like gold,
illegal wildlife contraband like ivory, to pink diamonds, to unblemished natural pearls, are all
down to a few sources, deemed even more precious due to their uncommonness.
The tragedy of the common species is that these species, with low economic values in their illicit
trade, are escaping the radar of enforcement. Conversely, they are escaping the radar of
enforcement as the anthropogenic allee affect has not set in so far, and subsequently these species
are not considered rare enough to bother worrying about.
Common species do not stay common forever. Such is the case of the house sparrow and the Gyps
vulture, both of which are vanishing all over their range in India, and the now extinct Passenger
pigeon, once crowding skies in the United States. This year, one lakh less Amur Falcons will reach
their destination in southern Africa. At this point, we dont have to start debating hierarchies of
protection afresh. Instead, we must act on keeping the common, common.
Ring out the rhetoric, ring in results

Many women have had to leave education and jobs because of the harassment they face in buses or on roads.
This is especially true of poor or middle class families where girls are emerging from their homes or traditional
occupations.
Creating a safer environment for women is not only the responsibility
of the police or the government, but also a matter for us. With women
entering public spaces in greater numbers, changing the capitals
entrenched culture of violence is necessary and possible
Less than two weeks after the brutal gang rape of the 23-year-old student on a Delhi bus, the issue
of womens safety has been overshadowed by other incendiary fallouts and squabbles over the
protests, which were carried out by thousands demanding justice for the victim. In the year ahead,
it is imperative not to lose sight of the overarching challenge of protecting Indian women against
the rising tide of dangers. Devising and enforcing an agenda for womens safety is a daunting task
, but the call for we want justice, which rang out over India Gate, needs a clear agenda and
practical action.
Women today are entering public spaces in large numbers. Every family, however poor, attempts
to send its girls to schools. Girls today aspire to a better and higher education and indeed
outnumber and outperform boys in colleges and universities. For a young woman, of every class,
marriage and children and the kitchen are no longer her only aspiration, but many dream of a job, a
career and a place in society outside the home. Unlike earlier generations, young women today are
no longer cowed down by society and are not afraid to speak their minds. Nor do they meekly
accept that they are inferior to men and must bear whatever punishment is imposed on them in
public or at home.
Accepted culture
However, Delhi has always had a culture of various forms of violence against women in public
places. It is accepted that a group of men may pass a lewd comment against a woman in public,
or that they may brush up against her in a bus. For young men, harassing women is a right of
passage, and is covered up in the mild word teasing. It is not uncommon for this form of open
harassment to lead to actual molestation and even rape. Every girl and woman living in Delhi can
testify to cases of sexual harassment in public space, while the capital also has the highest number
of reported rapes in the country and a dismal conviction rate.
The attitude of the general public in Delhi supports this anti-woman culture. Women today often
fight back, but are rarely supported by others, even in crowded places. Every incident, whether in a
bus or the metro or on the road, has some men muttering look at the way she is dressed or you
should be silent, these things happen or she invited it, or girls should remain at home, why is
she out on the streets? These kinds of comments are echoed by public personalities where only
dented and painted women protest!
If women are to continue on this path towards becoming useful and equal members of society, it is
imperative that their safety in public places be guaranteed. We have seen many women who have
had to withdraw from schools or jobs because of the harassment they face in buses or on roads.
This is especially true of poor or middle class families where the first generation of girls are
emerging from their homes or traditional occupations.
Creating a safer environment for women is not only the responsibility of the police or the
government, it is a matter for us all. Changing the Delhi culture is a long process that needs
concerted effort over months, years and decades. The police and courts need to be active allies in
this.
The steps needed
First, it is necessary for women to speak up. Silence encourages the perpetrators, and ensures that
they behave worse next time. Second, men must support women when they speak up. They must
make the perpetrator feel ashamed and apologetic. Third, the police must play an active role.
Sexual harassment is not teasing, it is a crime, and the perpetrators cannot be treated with a
smirk and that boys will be boys. Finally, when such crimes reach the courts, it is necessary for
the courts to also treat them seriously. Many judges view molestation and rape cases as the
womans fault and treat her like the criminal, rather than the victim, often using words in their
judgments which betray their biases. At the same time these cases are allowed by a court to drag
on for years, so that the victim never gets justice, but continues to be harassed by the criminal who
is out on bail. Delhi had 635 reported rape cases in 2012 with only one conviction. It had 193
cases of eve teasing reported with zero convictions.
The goal should be results over rhetoric. To begin with, certain public areas in Delhi should be
identified to execute a targeted response. Some public spaces where harassment occurs are buses
and bus stops, metros, spaces outside schools and colleges and market areas. It is important to
protect women and change the culture in these areas. The Delhi Metro has had a remarkable record
in making it safe for women, but conditions are deteriorating in Metros and much more needs to be
done. The protection of women needs a programme that involves increased patrolling, increasing
lighting of dark areas, introducing CCTV cameras and GPS in buses and trains.
Additionally, there should be police booths in areas where there are schools and colleges for an
immediate response to women-safety related complaints; and a helpline for women with a set
response time to be accessed via phone, emails and texts with photo/s of the offenders sent by
mobile phone. Perhaps most effective would be immediate punishment or fines on the spot as is
done in traffic-related offences.
Posters, hoardings, announcements and advertisements make an important difference in peoples
consciousness. Posters inside metros and buses can encourage men to behave properly and respect
women an image with a big cross for a man staring or groping a woman. A sustained
advertisement campaign must follow. Besides public service messages and private companies
featuring womens products should focus on messages encouraging women to speak up.
Using information
However, most important is the need for citizen patrolling and citizen-police cooperation. Parents
of school and college girls are often willing to work with police to protect their children. They
need to be tapped in large numbers. Womens organisations, and non-governmental organisations
(NGO) working with women and girls are able to mobilise and provide information to the police
on areas where women face harassment. These NGOs need to be drawn into partnership with the
police and government efforts.
Changing the culture of a city is hard work, but it needs to be done. Otherwise, women will
continue to face the continuum of sexual harassment from lewd remarks to brutal rape. Decades of
efforts to empower women will fail as fear forces them out of public spaces.
I-T Department to tackle tax evasion in real estate
sector
The Directorate General of Income Tax (Investigation), Karnataka and Goa, is now training its
radar on the booming real estate sector, particularly in Bangalore.
The directorate has found that over 3,500 land owners have entered into joint development
agreements with developers in Bangalore in the last couple of years, said S. Ravi, Director-
General of Income Tax (Investigation), Bangalore. The directorate has also detected one lakh
cases of devalued registration of properties between 2006 and 2011, he said.
Mr. Ravi was interacting with presspersons here on Monday along with Chief Commissioners of
Income Tax, Bangalore I and III, K. Satyanarayana and I. Suresh Babu. He said there have been
hundreds of instances of joint developments of properties with sellers appearing to be 'ignorant' of
tax implications.
He said a valid contract for sale, with a consideration and handing over of the possession of the
property to the developer, results in tax liability.
However, the tax is not paid, perhaps owing to lack of awareness, Mr. Ravi said. The year of
agreement is the year of tax liability, and this proposition has been upheld by the Karnataka and
Bombay High Courts.
In November, inquiries by the directorate revealed that 180 such transactions were made and the
practice was rampant. In two cases alone, an evasion of Rs. 255.38 crore tax was detected, Mr.
Ravi said, and added that it was an ongoing process.
Meanwhile, the directorate is also looking into devalued registration of properties, where the
properties are registered below the guidance value set by the State government. In such cases, we
consider the guidance value as the sale price and compute tax liability on its basis, Mr. Ravi said.
Owners selling such lands are liable to pay capital gains tax. The directorate advises them to pay
the tax, Mr. Ravi said.
Airport surveillance
The directorate had also investigated possible tax evasion in the mining sector. It has set up a
mechanism at the Bengaluru International Airport to monitor and intercept the movement of
unaccounted cash and valuables, including jewellery. It is also zeroing in on various financial
transactions, including banking, mutual funds, investments on immovable properties and shares,
without the investors quoting the PAN.
Tax collection hit
Mr. Satyanarayana said the ban on iron ore mining has brought down tax collection by about Rs.
3,000 crore and the impact was more in Goa region as compared to Hubli/Bellary in Karnataka.
The Karnataka and Goa region has stood third in tax collection, after Mumbai and Delhi. The
target for this financial year is Rs. 53,000 crore and Rs. 32,830 crore has been collected so far.
Though this is higher than last years collection of Rs. 30,328 during the same period, it is less
than the national average of 14 per cent, Mr. Satyanarayana said.
He said a large number of government departments have not been remitting tax deducted at source
to the I-T department. Also large corporates are shying away from paying advance tax.
Caste plays dominant role in SHGs: study
Self-help groups might have resulted in significant upward movement in the status and role of
women in society, but a recent study reveals existence of casteism in the SHGs.
Conducted across eight States covering a sample of over 1,942 groups, the study indicated that
caste played a dominant role in the formation and functions of the SHGs. At least 29 per cent of
the groups surveyed reported different etiquette for different social categories and preference to
same caste could be seen in the selection of members of the respective groups.
According to C.S. Reddy, CEO of AP Mahila Abhivrudhi Samakhya (APMAS ), which
instrumental in the study, from the initial stages when the groups had representation from different
social categories, a majority of them were now found to be homogenous. As a result, there is a
sharp decline in the number of members in individual groups -- from over 20 a decade ago to
around 10 at present, he told The Hindu.
While the SHG movement was founded on social, political, cultural and economic empowerment
of women, overemphasis on the economic aspects corrupted the concept. The members are
found to be pre-occupied on loans and other financial aspects rather than focussing on broad
spectrum of issues including caste related aspects.
Same leaders
This is manifest in the form of resistance to leadership change in the SHGs as the dominant
member of the group could manipulate the other members who are either from the same caste,
relatives or have some working relationship with the leader. The study revealed that 59.2 per cent
of groups continue with same leader, while over 36 per cent opted for a change once/twice.
The groups where leadership change took place more than four times is pegged at 0.8 per cent.
One of the main reasons for the situation, according to Mr. Reddy, is the governments treatment
of the SHGs as channelising agencies for delivery of welfare schemes. Once they look at the
government as benefactor, their strength to question the system automatically subsides, he says.
The larger issues such as caste-related and other social inequities will continue as long as the
SHGs remain beneficiaries rather than emerging as a demand system.
Cameron invokes fear of losing economic race to
India
The New Year could see Britain lose the global economic race to India and other emerging
economies if it did not take tough decisions, U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron warned on
Tuesday as he sought to rally public support for his governments unpopular austerity programme,
which has seen millions lose their jobs and his partys ratings fall to a new low.
His warning came as an opinion poll showed that a majority of Britons feared their circumstances
would get worse over the next 12 months. They rejected government claims that its policies were
working and the country was on the right track.
Using his New Years message to justify his controversial deficit-cutting plans that would cause
more people to lose their benefits, Mr. Cameron said that Britain could not expect to win the race
with countries like China, India and Indonesia if it did not take urgent steps to reduce its debt.
Britain is in a global race to succeed today. It is race with countries like China, India and
Indonesia; a race for the jobs and opportunities of the future. So when people say we can slow
down on cutting our debts, we are saying no. We cant win in this world with a great millstone of
debt round our necks, he said.
Justifying the crackdown on welfare benefits, he said: When people say weve got to stop our
welfare reforms because somehow it is cruel to expect people to work, we are saying no. Getting
people into good jobs is absolutely vital, not just for them, but for all of us.
He said there were no quick fixes and urged the people to greet the New Year with realism and
optimism.
U.S. regulators approve new tuberculosis drug
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Monday approved a Johnson & Johnson tuberculosis
drug that is the first new medicine to fight the deadly infection in more than four decades.
The agency approved J&Js pill, Sirturo, for use with older drugs to fight a hard-to-treat strain of
tuberculosis that has not responded to other medications. However, the agency cautioned that the
drug carries risks of potentially deadly heart problems and should be prescribed carefully by
doctors.
Roughly one-third of the worlds population is estimated to be infected with the bacteria causing
tuberculosis. The disease is rare in the U.S., but kills about 1.4 million people a year worldwide.
Of those, about 150,000 succumb to the increasingly common drug-resistant forms of the disease.
About 60 per cent of all cases are concentrated in China, India, Russia and Eastern Europe.
Sirturo, known chemically as bedaquiline, is the first medicine specifically designed for treating
multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. Thats a form of the disease that cannot be treated with at least
two of the four primary antibiotics used for tuberculosis.The standard drugs used to fight the
disease were developed in the 1950s and 1960s.
The antibiotics used to treat it have been around for at least 40 years and so the bacterium has
become more and more resistant to what we have, said Chrispin Kambili, global medical affairs
leader for J&Js Janssen division.The drug carries a boxed warning indicating that it can interfere
with the hearts electrical activity, potentially leading to fatal heart rhythms.
Sirturo provides much-needed treatment for patients who dont have other therapeutic options
available, said Edward Cox, director of the FDAs antibacterial drugs office. However, because
the drug also carries some significant risks, doctors should make sure they use it appropriately and
only in patients who dont have other treatment options.
Nine patients taking Sirturo died in company testing compared with two patients taking a placebo.
Five of the deaths in the Sirturo group seemed to be related to tuberculosis, but no explanation was
apparent for the remaining four.
Despite the deaths, the FDA approved the drug under its accelerated approval program, which
allows the agency to clear innovative drugs based on promising preliminary results.
Last week, the consumer advocacy group Public Citizen criticized that approach, noting the drugs
outstanding safety issues.
The fact that bedaquiline is part of a new class of drug means that an increased level of scrutiny
should be required for its approval, the group states. But the FDA had not yet answered concerns
related to unexplained increases in toxicity and death in patients getting the drug.
The FDA said it approved the drug based on two mid-stage studies enrolling 440 patients taking
Sirturo. Both studies were designed to measure how long it takes patients to be free of
tuberculosis.
Results from the first trial showed most patients taking Sirturo plus older drugs were cured after 83
days, compared with 125 days for those taking a placebo plus older drugs. The second study
showed most Sirturo patients were cured after 57 days.
U.S. Senate approves last minute deal on fiscal
cliff
Passes legislation to allow taxes on affluent to rise
The U.S. Senate, in a pre-dawn vote two hours after the deadline passed to avert automatic tax
increases, overwhelmingly approved legislation on Tuesday that would allow tax rates to rise only
on affluent Americans while temporarily suspending sweeping, across-the-board spending cuts.
The deal, worked out in furious negotiations between Vice-President Joe Biden and Republican
Senate leader Mitch McConnell, passed 89-8, with three Democrats and five Republicans voting
no. Although the proposal lost the support of some of the Senates most conservative members, the
broad coalition that pushed the accord across the finish line could portend swift House passage as
early as New Years Day.
Quick passage before the markets reopen on Wednesday would likely negate any economic
damage from Tuesdays breach of the so-called fiscal cliff and largely spare the nations
economy from the one-two punch of large tax increases and across-the-board military and
domestic spending cuts in the New Year. Mr. Biden, after meeting with leery Senate Democrats to
sell the accord, said, You surely shouldnt predict how the House is going to vote. But I feel very,
very good.
House Speaker John A. Boehner and the Republican House leadership said the House would
honour its commitment to consider the Senate agreement. But, they added, decisions about
whether the House will seek to accept or promptly amend the measure will not be made until
House members and the American people have been able to review the legislation. Even with
that cautious assessment, Republican House aides said a vote on Tuesday was possible.
Under the agreement, tax rates would jump to 39.6 per cent from 35 per cent for individual
incomes more than $400,000 and couples more than $450,000, while tax deductions and credits
would start to be phased out on incomes as low as $250,000.
Just last month Republicans in Congress said they would never agree to raise tax rates on the
wealthiest Americans, Mr. Obama said before the vote at a hastily arranged news briefing on
Monday.Democrats also secured a full years extension of unemployment insurance without
strings attached and without offsetting spending cuts, a $30 billion cost. But the 2-percentage point
cut to the payroll tax that the president secured in late 2010 lapsed at midnight and will not be
renewed.
In one final piece of the puzzle, negotiators agreed to put off $110 billion in across-the-board cuts
to military and domestic programs for two months while broader deficit reduction talks continue.
Those cuts begin to go into force Wednesday, and that deadline too might be missed before
Congress approves the legislation. To secure votes, Harry Reid, the Senate Democratic leader, also
told Democrats the legislation would cancel a pending congressional pay raise. The nature of the
deal ensured that the running war between the White House and congressional Republicans on
spending and taxes would continue at least until the spring. Under the deal, tax rates on dividends
and capital gains would also rise, to 20 from 15 per cent.
The deal would reinstate provisions to tax law, ended by the Bush tax cuts of 2001, that phase out
personal exemptions and deductions for the affluent. Those phaseouts, under the agreement, would
begin at $250,000 for single people and $300,000 for couples. The estate tax would also rise, but
considerably less than Democrats had wanted. The value of estates more than $5 million would be
taxed at 40 percent, up from the current 35 percent. Democrats had wanted a 45 percent rate on
inheritances larger than $3.5 million.
Many hiccups as cash transfer scheme is launched
Several districts are lagging in Aadhaar cards and Aadhaar-linked
bank accounts
Tuesday was the kick-off of the pilot phase of the Union governments Direct Benefits Transfer
scheme and early reports show that despite scaling down the number of districts and schemes to be
covered, much work still needs to be done to make the programme a success in the 20 districts in
six States.
Symbolic events marked the day and functions were organised. While some districts such as
Mumbai were able to crank up the government machinery for the scheme, many others are still
lagging in the basic requirements of the programme creating Aadhaar-linked bank accounts.
Mysore in Karnataka seems well placed for success as it has a 95 per cent Aadhaar enrolment with
over 80 per cent of the beneficiaries having Aadhaar-linked accounts. In Puducherry, with 14,400
beneficiaries through 15 Central schemes, cash payouts will begin Wednesday.
In Andhra Pradesh, the scheme did not take off in the five targeted districts. In Haryana, Ambala
and Sonepat districts are covered in the scheme. Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda praised
the scheme in a speech but gave little indication of what the governments plans are.
Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit formally launched the scheme in two districts with only four
Central schemes covering 12,000 beneficiaries. Dharam Pal, Divisional Commissioner of Delhi,
said cash transfers will go to Aadhaar-linked bank accounts by April.
An infrastructure for electronic transfers is already in place in the Capital for state schemes. This
includes disbursement of old age pension to four lakh beneficiaries and widow pension to around
1.30 lakh.
In Vidarbha, Maharashtra, only around 25 per cent of the 10,82,368 beneficiaries identified have
Aadhaar-linked bank accounts.
Rajasthan State Chief Secretary C. K. Mathew said direct cash transfer has started in Alwar,
Udaipur and Ajmer. However, the State Government did not announce the number of
beneficiaries.
Right to Food Campaign activists from the three districts reported that the Aadhaar-linked bank
accounts were yet to be opened for large sections of the population.
Dont spare the juvenile too, hand him exemplary
punishment
The Union Ministry of Women and Child Development will press for exemplary punishment to
the juvenile, who is among the six persons arrested for the December 16 gang rape in New Delhi.
Women and Child Development Minister Krishna Tirath said here on Monday: We have sought
the intervention of the government to make this an exceptional case and not treat this accused as a
juvenile while awarding punishment. The nature of his crime, we feel, is so heinous that there is an
urgent need to send a strong, correct and direct message.
The Ministry had already held meetings with various activists and other stakeholders from the
government, non-government and private sectors and most agreed that in this case an example
has to be set, Ms. Tirath said. She would meet Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde to present
their recommendations.
Juvenile Justice Act under review
The Ministry is already reviewing the Juvenile Justice Act and we will take a re-look at the
punishment accorded to juveniles in conflict with law considering the nature and seriousness of
crimes they are involved in, she said.
Asserting that juveniles in conflict with law should be looked at comprehensively and not in terms
of a single incident, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights Chairperson Shantha
Sinha said: Last year we had a minor girl who battered a two-year-old child, which is a heinous
crime. Now there is this case [December 16 incident] where a juvenile is caught for a horrific,
heinous crime. We would, however, not want to recommend anything at this stage and would like
to proceed with caution. There is need to look into several such cases that have come to light
recently and understand the protection mechanism available to juveniles in conflict with law. Only
after this can we recommend something concrete to the government.
Meanwhile, several social activists and persons from civil society have joined in the demand for a
more stringent punishment to the juvenile involved in the gang rape and murder of the 23-year-old
physiotherapy student.
United in grief and anger, divided on agenda
Even though it is the second week of the continued agitations at Jantar Mantar, demanding
stronger laws for violence against women and justice for the gang-rape victim, the protesters have
no concrete and unified plan on how to take the campaign forward except to protest until their
demands are met. With the gradual decrease in the crowd, questions are being raised about how
the movement will be sustained, even though they claim that the protesters will make sure Jantar
Mantar would not remain vacant even for a day. Unified as they are in their grief, frustration and
anger against the government, which is widely perceived to be arrogant, insensitive and
intolerant; they are strongly divided in their mode of protests, demands and agenda. While a
large group of protesters have opted to be apolitical, some have also sided with the students and
womens groups of political partiers like the CPI (M) and the CPI (ML).
We are all non-political and non-NGO people. We will continue protesting until our demands are
met, which include hanging the rapists in the gang-rape case, besides enacting a law for the death
penalty for rapists, said Maneet Tyagi, an electrical engineer, who has become a prominent face
of the apolitical protests on television channels. Sunita, who was standing on the fringe,
intervened that she did not agree with Mr. Tyagis views regarding death penalty. We need
gender sensitisation of the police, besides the common populace, through various media. Then we
need better policing, gender sensitive laws and strict implementation, said Sunita, who works
with Oxford University Press.
Asked how death penalty can change the inherently patriarchal attitude of the police and the public
at large, Mr. Tyagi had no answer except that he has been collecting suggestions from the public
which he will submit to the Justice Verma Committee. He is going to lead the apolitical protest,
along with a team of people who are mobilising people through social media campaigns and
SMSes.
Talking about the future plans of the protests, he said, We would shift the agitation from Jantar
Mantar to India Gat, once Section 144 is lifted.
Boycott Republic Day
Some of the protesters have decided to boycott the Republic Day celebrations by waving black
flags on that day.
Students who have been a part of the movement from the beginning, accept the absence of
leadership and problem of unity among the protesting groups. Wanting to do something like
coming up with suggestions for amendments to women-related laws, instead of just asking for
justice, they find themselves in minority with nobody to guide them.
It is very unfortunate, every day several groups are formed with different sets of demands. There
is lots of infighting among these groups. They will fight for justice after they are free from fighting
with each other, said one protester.
Jharna Bhatnagar, who has been protesting along with her friends, said the impact would have
been much more had there been unity among the protesters.
As for their future plans, Ms. Bhatnagar said: I will come to Jantar Mantar till the time it makes
sense. Even if I dont come here, I will continue to do something. She specifically mentioned the
absence of sense of public policy and the things the public need to demand from the government
among the protesters. Political groups like the All India Students Association, the Jawaharlal
Nehru Students Union and the All India Democratic Womens Association have decided to
continue organising protests after submitting their suggestions before the Justice Verma
Committee. They have also been demanding wider consultations with stakeholders on the issue of
gender violence form the government.
However, social scientist Professor Anand Kumar argued it would be wrong to expect these
different groups to protest on a united platform. These are people who are expressing their anger
spontaneously. They have several demands. It is up to the political, legal and social leadership of
the country to come forward and gap the deficit which has arisen due to the absence of leadership
and law and order in the country. The leadership has to make sense of the protesters demands, not
all of which may be politically, legally and morally viable, said Prof. Anand, who is a faculty at
the Jawaharlal Nehru University.
Once the political leadership takes concrete measures which the issue of violence against women
deserves, all these protesting groups will gradually settle down, he said.
ToD domestic power billing from New Year
Time-of-the-day (ToD) metering of power consumption is being introduced for nearly 11,000
high-end domestic connections in the State from the New Year to give them a financial incentive
in consciously shifting a part of their overall electricity use from the hours of peak demand to
those of lean demand daily.
The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) is introducing this metering and billing system
following a direction given by the Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission a few months
ago. The idea is to incentivise the consumer sector to help solve the systemic problem of the high
peak demand in the State.
The problem in Kerala is that from around 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., power consumption is too high
compared to the daytime consumption. Evening power consumption is naturally high everywhere
when all lights are switched on, but in Kerala the variation is too wide because the industries
sector that draws large quantities of power throughout the day is not as developed as in States such
as Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
In a press release, the KSEB said the ToD metering would be applicable for all domestic
consumers drawing more than 500 units of power a month. The meters had been installed in all
such houses. The normal tariff for consumers in this category was Rs. 6.50 a unit. This rate would
be henceforth applicable to them only from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
From 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., these consumers will have to pay 20 per cent more than the normal rate,
which will come to Rs. 7.80 a unit.
During the lean consumption period from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., they need pay only 90 per cent of the
normal rate, which will come to Rs. 5.85 a unit.
The KSEB was introducing the system in the hope that the high-end domestic consumers would go
soft on their use of electricity during the peak hours by not using their power-guzzling home
appliances when lights were on everywhere.
Ensuring safe drinking water, sanitation and
awareness on health issues need of the hour
Non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension, stroke,
cancer and respiratory illnesses are the top five causes for mortality and morbidity these days.
Earlier, communicable diseases were the main causes of death.
The shift can be attributed to changing lifestyle, food habits and stress. Apart from these, anaemia,
malnutrition, maternal/infant mortality are the other burning issues.
Unfortunately, budgetary allocation for health sector in India is only 2.5 per cent of GDP, a
fraction of the allocation in the Western countries. The need of the hour is to address basic issues
such as safe drinking water, proper sanitation, checking of environmental pollution, better
connectivity and awareness about various health schemes.
To reduce infant and maternal mortality, intravenous iron therapy has to be popularised since
compliance with oral tablet is very low. In rural areas, doctors need training in anaesthetic
management so that deliveries are conducted with low mortality.
One of the biggest problems is very poor tertiary care management in semi-urban and rural
areas, doctors reluctance to work in villages due to interference, humiliation by local elected
representatives and lack of infrastructure.
ICUs
District and taluk hospitals should have well equipped intensive care units which can be linked
through telemedicine with tertiary care hospitals for consultation, treatment co-ordination and
transfer of patients for further treatment.
This mechanism will allow optimal initial treatment during golden hour which will substantially
reduce death rates.
Wherever possible, public-private-partnership (PPP) models should be encouraged to set up
laboratory services, critical care units and tertiary care outlets.
Heart attack
Pre-hospital (in-ambulance) thrombolysis treatment for heart attack is important as the incidence
of heart attack is steadily increasing both in urban and rural population affecting more younger
patients in age group of 30-40. For every 30 minutes delay in treatment, the relative risk of death
increases by 5 per cent. Although angioplasty is a superior treatment modality, it is not readily
available and accessible in rural, semi-urban hospitals.
The alternative option is to initiate thrombolytic therapy (clot dissolving medicine) either in
ambulance itself or nearby hospitals whichever is quicker the ideal time is within the first six
hours of heart attack. The treatment co-ordination can be done through telemedicine links with
tertiary heart institution. Mobile phone technology can also be explored for transferring ECG from
Primary Hospital with bigger centre in case of clinical dilemma and decision making.
After initial treatment with thrombolytic therapy, then patients have to be transferred to tertiary
centres for angioplasty/other interventions, which will also improve outcomes.
However, in larger cities with catheter laboratory facilities, primary angioplasty should be
encouraged and awareness has to be created regarding the benefit of this procedure within the first
few hours. Quick mechanism for transfer of patients by ambulances, co-ordination and advance
information at the receiving tertiary care hospital will avoid unnecessary delay in performing
angioplasty. Hence, it is preferable to conduct primary angioplasty within 60 minutes after
admission for maximum benefits.
CPR
Basic and advanced cardiac life support training programmes (CPR) should be conducted for
doctors, paramedical staff, police and security personnel to attend and treat those in case of sudden
cardiac arrest. CPR devices, including defibrillators, should be made available at bus stands,
railway stations, airports, stadiums and high-rise buildings. This system can save many lives.
Mobile ICU units can be set up during bigger events.
Give up KKNPP, go for solar and wind energy
The Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project is totally unsafe and should not be commissioned,
according to former Navy Chief Admiral L. Ramdoss.
With ample resources of renewable energy and over 300 bright sunny days, government agencies
should tap the potential to generate wind and solar energy, instead of commissioning the high-risk
nuclear energy project at Kudankulam, he said.
The technology for generating solar energy was very competitive and cheaper than nuclear energy.
However, the existing grid system was not suited to tap such clean energy resources. While
developed countries around the world had abandoned the nuclear energy option on grounds of
safety, the Indian government was pushing ahead with the commissioning of the risky nuclear
energy project, overlooking safety concerns raised by the people, especially the coastal population.
Admiral Ramdoss was addressing the media at Idinthakarai near Kudankulam on Monday.
In my view no assurance on safety has been made by the Central government, the Russian
government, NPCIL, Department of Atomic Energy or any expert from the Indian officialdom, he
noted.
In the past, experts had certified nuclear energy plants to be safe.
These included plants such as Three Mile Island in the US, Chernobyl in Ukraine and Fukushima
in Japan. Yet these plants suffered accidents, he pointed out. Design of the equipment, natural
causes beyond our control and human failure could cause accidents, Mr. Ramdoss warned.
People have the right to protect themselves from the risks of nuclear energy, but all these rights
have been scuttled. They have been told lies that the emerging nuclear plant is safe. It is time to
give up this unsafe project and the government authorities should find alternative source of energy
to safeguard the lives of the people in the vicinity of Kudankulam and protect their livelihood,. he
said.
Binayak Sen, national vice-president, Peoples Union for Civil Liberty, said the judicial process
had been misused and AERB norms were being flouted in the process of commissioning this
nuclear plant.
The protest by the people against nuclear energy was being suppressed. The PUCL and human
rights organisations had been engaged in the withdrawal of sedition charges levelled against the
protesters.
Praful Bidwai, senior journalist, said fake cases had been foisted on the protesters. As many as 325
cases were filed against those involved in the agitation at Idinthakarai. Charge sheets were filed
against 1,20, 000 people and 13, 350 were charged with waging a war against the State and
criminal conspiracy.
As many as 8,456 persons were booked on sedition charges, 18,143 persons accused of attempt to
murder and 15,565 persons charged with destroying government properties. Sixty-six persons
were arrested and nine imprisoned. Forty-five persons were released on conditional bail.
Children performed cultural programmes on the eve of the New Year. S.P. Udhayakumar,
convener, Peoples Movement Against Nuclear Energy, and members of organisations against
nuclear energy from various States took part in the agitation. The agitation at Idinthakarai has
crossed 500 days.
Why not name and honour her, asks Tharoor
Name the law after her, he says; Congress distances itself from his
views
In remarks that can stoke a controversy, Union Minister Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday favoured
making public the identity of the 23-year-old gang rape victim wondering what interest is served
by keeping her name under wraps.
The Minister of State for Human Resource Development also said the revised anti-rape legislation
should be named after the victim if her parents did not have any objection.
Wondering what interest is served by continuing anonymity of #DelhGangRape victim. Why not
name&honour her as a real person w/own identity? he asked on micro-blogging site Twitter.
Unless her parents object, she should be honoured&the revised anti-rape law named after her. She
was a human being w/a name,not just a symbol.
Under the law, the identity of a rape victim cannot be disclosed and printing or publishing the
name or any matter which may make known the identity of any person against whom rape is
committed is an offence under Section 228-A of the Indian Penal Code.
Mr. Tharoors comments came close on the heels of the Delhi Police registering a case against an
English daily for publishing material which could lead to identification of the victim.
His comments sparked instant reactions on Twitter with people supporting and questioning his
suggestions.
Why are you after creating honours, idols and temples again instead of making real changes to
criminal justice system? Chirdeep, one of the users, asked.
Anil Wanvari, however, wrote: A good suggestion. This is exactly what I had recommended four
days ago. Cheers!
The girl was gang-raped and brutally assaulted on a moving bus in south Delhi on December 16.
She died in a Singapore hospital on December 29.
Activist Kiran Bedi said she supported Mr. Tharoors suggestion about naming the new law
against rape after the Delhi girls real name.
She said that in naming a law after her, we immortalise her will to fight and live, not on the act of
rape. This way, we may remove the stigma, she said.
Meanwhile, the Congress steered clear of the Ministers controversial remarks.
It is his personal opinion, said party spokesman Rashid Alvi when asked to comment on Mr.
Tharoors remarks.
A senior Congress leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, threw the ball in the governments
court noting that Mr. Tharoor was a member of the Union Council of Ministers. Let the
government react to it. We have nothing to say, he said.
In 2009, Mr. Tharoor had courted controversy when he tweeted saying that he would travel in in
cattle class out of solidarity with all our holy cows.
The issue caused a lot of political uproar.