Direct Cash Transfer & Political Behaviour

In the last 15 years Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programs have become a major component of the poverty reduction and social protection strategies of many developing countries. While most of these programs started in Latin America, currently CCTs are used in over 40 countries spanning several regions of the world. India, too, initiated its Direct Cash Transfer Program using Aadhaar cards on 28^th Nov 2012. 

The World Bank released a Policy Research Working Paper, in October 2012, titled “Conditional cash transfers, political participation and voting behaviour”, studied voter behaviour with respect to cash transfer beneficiaries in polls held recently in Colombia.

Summary of the Paper’s findings are as follows:

• The paper finds that political participation and political views are responsive to targeted transfers.
• The paper shows that beneficiaries of FA (Columbian the Familias en Accion – Columbia’s Cash Transfer) Program are around 2.5 percentage points more likely than comparable non-beneficiaries to vote.
• The increase in intent-to-vote and actual turnout is explained by larger political participation among beneficiary women.
• The paper observes that ‘During the 2010 presidential election voters covered by FA not only voted more often, but also expressed a stronger preference (around 2 percentage points) for the official party that implemented and expanded the program.’

        Possible explanations for this trend:

• The beneficiaries value and respond positively to such policies at the polls.
• Reciprocity, where voters support politicians who helped them in the past. Here, the paper mentions that women in particular have been found to vote more systematically in support of social policies.
• Another explanation is that the program was ‘strategically targeted’ and motivated by ‘clientelism and vote buying’.
  
• The paper ends with cautious note that ‘it is highly unlikely that the overall change in political preferences attributed to FA explains the final outcome of the 2010 presidential election. The results, however, show that voters respond to targeted transfers and that these transfers can foster support for incumbents.’

Brief: Section 66A of the Information Technology Act

 Section 66A is one such provision which has frequently been used by the State as well as the vast class of offended persons who resort to it when remarks are made against them. The problem with Section 66A is that it is so broadly framed that the remarks do not even need to be libelous for it to be attracted. It reads as follows:

66A. Punishment for sending offensive messages through communication service, etc..- Any person who sends, by means of a computer resource or a communication device,-(a) any information that is grossly offensive or has menacing character; or(b) any information which he knows to be false, but for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience, danger, obstruction, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred, or ill will, persistently makes by making use of such computer resource or a communication device,(c) any electronic mail or electronic mail message for the purpose of causing annoyance or inconvenience or to deceive or to mislead the addressee or recipient about the origin of such messages shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to tthree years and with fine.Explanation: For the purposes of this section, terms “Electronic mail” and “Electronic Mail Message” means a message or information created or transmitted or received on a computer, computer system, computer resource or communication device including attachments in text, image, audio, video and any other electronic record, which may be transmitted with the message.

Use of Section 66A

Some recent incidents where Section 66A has been applied include:

1.  Professor in Kolkata: Jadavpur University professor Ambikesh Mohapatra, was arrested in April, 2011 for posting a cartoon on West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on the internet. Ambikesh Mohapatra was charged under under 66A of the Information Technology Act, 2000; under Section 500 (defamation); 509 (insulting the modesty of a woman through word, gesture or act) and u/s114 (presence of abettor at the time of commission of offence
2. Aseem Trivedi and Cartoons Against Corruption: Aseem Trivedi was arrested in September, 2012 following a complaint filed against the cartoons authored by him which depicted national symbols in cartoons questioning corruption. Though the specific cartoon in the police complaint on which the arrest was made are not specified, his cartoons can still be accessed on his facebook page. Based on this Aseem was charged under of section 66A of the Information Technology Act, 2000; 124A of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (sedition); under Prevention of Insults of National Honour Act, 1971.
3. Heena Bakshi post on Chandigrah Traffic Police Webpage: After Heena Bakshi’s car was stolen due to alleged harassment she wrote a post on the facebook page of the Chandigarh Traffic Police. The posted contained expletives, though they were not directed on the police directly. Heena Bakshi was booked under Section 66A and Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
4. Ravi Srinivasan -  IAC volunteer was charged under 66A of IT Act, an offence, for which he can be fined and jailed upto 3 years—- And all this for sending a tweet to 16 followers— “got reports that karthick chidambaram has amassed more wealth than vadra.”

Problems with 66A

• Sec. 66A & Article 19(2): The freedom of speech and expression is a fundamental right contained under Article 19(1)(a) which is subject to the “reasonable restrictions” contained within Article 19(2). Towards this, Sec. 66A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 contains broad phrases which will not fall within the reasonable restrictions as contained under Article 19(2). The phrases include under, Sec. 66A(1) “grossly offensive” and “menacing character”; Sec. 66A(2) “annoyance, inconvenience..”; and Sec. 66A(3), “purpose of causing annoyance or inconvenience”.
• Vagueness Offences under Sec. 66A: The phrases contained under Sec.66A do not find definition through the Information Technology Act, 2000 or do not have analogous provisions under other laws. Due to the absence of any definitions of “grossly offensive” or “menacing character”, the offences under it are without any limitation. In as much due to the vague phrasing the act is vulnerable for arbitrary use.
• Duplicity of Offence under Sec. 66A: The offences under 66A result in a duplication of offences which are contained under existing penal laws which are adequate to check the commission of crimes and also contain legislative and judicially defined limitations.
• Offence under Sec. 66A applies only to online speech: This presents a problematic outcome where the same speech may be legal offline but may be illegal online. This has the tendency to place an unreasonable restraint on a medium without a valid differentia or purpose.
• Lack of clarity in Sec. 66A: The Sec. 66A does not contain one offence, but contains any possible offence for uploaded content. The Sec. 66A lacks any coherence and structure as to the commission of a single offence. Due to this lack of clarity it does not contain any definite elements of an offence which are specified in its clauses. This is most noticeable in Sec. 66A(2), which contains a list of distinct grounds under which the section can be attracted. Most of the grounds are not even specified for instance, “annoyance” or “inconvenience” does not contain any ingredients.
• Offence under Sec. 66A is cognizable: Another anomalous position is presented as the punishment which is prescribed under Sec. 66A is a term of imprisonment for 3 years. This makes it cognizable and non-bailable. Hence with the application of 66A the accussed may fear arrest and the police seeking their custody.
• Offence under Sec. 66A increases jail terms for existing offences: In addition to duplication of existing offence, Sec. 66A increases the jail terms excessively of existing offences.

Chinese New Leadership

Picture from BBC

Xi Jinping

• Xi Jinping has become China's new Communist Party chief, and is now certain to take over next year as the country's President as well.
• Xi also assumed chairmanship of the Central Military Commission (CMC). This is a significant departure from the 2002 transition when Hu’s predecessor Jiang Zemin had stayed on as head of the military commission for two years after stepping down as party chief.
• He is a privileged son of a former top leader, and called as 'princeling'. He is learning Chinese politics from an early age when his father was purged and he himself was sent to work in the countryside.
• Mr Xi's close ties to the military and his support for state-owned industries suggest he's conservative.
• He is among integrationist, assertive towards Taiwan’s integration with China.
• He is seen as a pro-market reformer and a staunch believer in party power.
• He was born in Beijing in 1953.
• He studied chemical engineering in Tsinghua before joining the Party in 1974.
• Xi worked in Hebei, Fujian and Zhejiang, before being named Shanghai party chief in 2007 and tasked with cleaning up a corruption scandal. He spent much of his career in Shanghai and the coastal provinces of Fujian & Zhejiang, all of them economically vibrant
• He is known as Anti-Corruption crusader. He has a reputation for straight-talking, telling officials in 2004: 'Rein in your spouses, children, relatives, friends and staff, and vow not to use power for personal gain.'
• His wife is - the folk singer Peng Liyuan.

Li Keqiang

• Expected to be the next Premier, Li, is a protege of outgoing President Hu Jintao.
• Li Keqiang's career has seen him rise from manual labourer on a rural commune to provincial party chief and now a leader-in-waiting.
• He has a reputation for caring about China's less well-off, perhaps the result of a modest upbringing.
• His easy-going manner and consensual style has prompted some to question whether he is dogged enough to tackle strong vested interests which dominate much of China's economy.
• Born in 1955 in Anhui Province, Mr Li reportedly rejected his father's offer of a local party career, enrolling instead at Beijing's Peking University to study law. Mr Li became deputy party secretary for Henan Province in 1998, and became China's youngest provincial governor a year later.
• Li ran two key industrial provinces. As a vicepremier, his portfolio includes health reforms, energy and food safety. Still, questions of inexperience on economy have dogged him as he prepares to take the post of premier, the top economy job in China

Zhang Dejiang

• Zhang Dejiang was chosen by China's leaders for their toughest assignment of 2012, taking over as party chief of Chongqing after the fall of Bo Xilai.
• It cemented his reputation as a trouble-shooter who could be relied on to manage a crisis, and suggested he was set for the very top.
• Mr Zhang is one of few experts on a China's oldest ally, North Korea, and even spent two years studying economics in Pyongyang.
• He is son of a PLA major-general. He started his party career on the North Korean border, before being moved to Zhejiang and then working as party secretary in Guangdong between 2002 and 2007.
• He was vice-premier in charge of Industry and ran two key economic powerhouse provinces.
• He is being criticised for slow response of his government when SARS broke out in the province in 2002.
• Mr Zhang was heavily criticised. His tough stance towards protestors and journalists was also unpopular.
• He is not known to be a reformer, and opposed allowing businessmen to join the party.

Yu Zhengsheng

• Yu Zhengsheng is party chief of Shanghai, China's largest city.
• A 'princeling' with close ties to both former president Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao, he also has links to the late Deng Xiaoping's family.
• Unusually, his political career survived his brother's defection to the US in the mid-1980s, possibly thanks to the backing of Deng's disabled son. His father was ex-husband of a woman who later married to Mao Zedong.
• He is a missile engineer, specialising in ballistic missiles.
• He later worked as mayor and party chief of the eastern city of Qingdao and was credited with helping launch two of China's best-known brands overseas - Tsingtao beer and Haier appliances.
• Mr Yu prefers to travel in a simple car without a motorcade, and surrounds himself with few bodyguards, it was revealed in leaked diplomatic cables from 2007.
• Mr Yu has talked about tensions between urban development and the environment.

Liu Yunshan

• Liu Yunshan, 55, is head of the party's propaganda department, the body which strictly controls the country's media and polices the internet.
• But he encouraged state media to expand overseas to push government line.
• He worked in Inner Mongolia from 1968, as a young man to work in a commune. He later became a Xinhua news agency reporter, public relations specialist, and finally deputy party secretary.
• Born in Xinzhou, Shanxi, he joined the party in 1971 and was a graduate of the Party School.
• He worked with President Hu Jintao at the party youth league and is seen as a close ally. He was also considered as staunch supporter of Jiang Zemin.
• Mr Liu's son, Liu Lefei, is a prominent private equity investor.
• Mr Liu is expected to take over the propaganda portfolio.
• Mr Liu has expressed concern over the growing numbers of Chinese using online forums to criticise the government.

Wang Qishan

• A technocrat with experience in finance & trade issues.
• Wang Qishan is well known face in West, a key figure in discussions about the global economy and China's economic links with the US.
• Henry Paulson, the former US treasury secretary, described him as 'decisive and inquisitive', and someone with a 'wicked sense of humour'.
• He is often compared to his political mentor, former premier Zhu Rongji. Both are known by their nickname, 'fire brigade chief', because of their crisis management.
• Mr Wang is a 'princeling', the son of a top official, and he is married to Yao Minshan, daughter of former vice-premier Yao Yilin.
• He joined the party relatively late, at age 35, and worked as a banker.
• He was made mayor of Beijing in 2004, at the height of the SARS crisis and was credited for a no-nonsense approach, enforcing quarantine and working with the World Health Organisation.
• He played important role in fending off US pressure over China’s currency policies.

Zhang Gaoli

• A low-key technocrat who adheres to “Do more, speak less” motto.
• Zhang Gaoli has presided over the development boom in Tianjin, a large and wealthy city east of Beijing.
• Born in Fujian, he graduated from Xiamen University and studied statistics and economics.
• He spent the early part of his career working in the oil industry, before becoming an official in the southern province of Guangdong in the mid-1980s.
• His career took off from 1998 as party boss of the southern boomtown of Shenzhen, across the border from Hong Kong.
• While overseeing the city's development, he also established close ties with former President Jiang Zemin and his supporters, a relationship which helped ensure Mr Zhang's promotion to governor of the province of Shandong in 2002.
• Mr Zhang has been a low-profile leader in Tianjin, and little is known about his views or personal life.

AP Photo / Vincent Yu

BRIEF: REPORT ON TERRORISM (NCTC–USA:2011)

The National Counter Terrorism Center's 2011 Report on Terrorism was released by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence in June 2012. Here are some India Specific Highlights >>>

• Over 10000 terrorist attacks occurred in 2011, affecting nearly 45,000 victims in 70 countries and resulting in over 12,500 deaths
• Terror attacks related deaths in 2011: Afghanistan 3353, Iraq 3063, Pakistan 2033, Somalia 1101, Nigeria 593 and India 479.
• Afghanistan, Iraq, and Pakistan together accounted for 64% of the terrorist attacks in the world during 2011. 
• While attacks in Afghanistan and Iraq decreased from 2010 by 14 and 16 percent, respectively, attacks in Pakistan increased by 8 percent.
• In 2011, 56% of the world's terrorist attacks (5700) were by Sunni Muslims. 70% of worldwide deaths were of Sunni Muslims.
• Among this perpetrator group, al-Qa‘ida (AQ) and its affiliates were responsible for at least 688 attacks that resulted in almost 2,000 deaths,
• Taliban in Afghanistan and Pakistan conducted over 800 attacks that resulted in nearly 1,900 deaths.
• The most active of the secular, political, and anarchist groups in 2011 included the FARC (377 attacks), the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) (351 attacks), the New People’s Army/Communist Party of the Philippines (NPA-CPP) (102 attacks), and the Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK) in Turkey (48 attacks)Out of 12533 terror victims of the world in 2011, 8886 were killed by Sunni Muslim extremists
• There were 279 suicide attacks in the world during 2011. Sunni Muslims conducted 93% of these suicide terror attacks.
• Out of 12000+ killed by terrorists in 2011, 6418 were civilians. 755 were children. Nearly 90% of terror victims were Muslims.

2011 Attacks in India that Resulted in Ten or More Fatalities 

• June 2011 - Indian extremists, probably from the CPI-Maoist, killed 10 police officers in a IED blast and then firing.
• July 2011 - Operatives probably from the Indian Mujahideen (IM) detonated three IEDs at two crowded market places and near a bus stop, killing dozens and wounding hundreds in Mumbai (July 12, 2011)
• August 2011 - In India, a group of over 100 armed assailants probably affiliated with the CPI-Maoist group fired upon several military or paramilitary patrols, killing a dozen people.
• Sept 2011 – Delhi High Court Blasts - Both Harakat ul-Jihad Islami (HUJI) and IM claimed responsibility for an IED attack that killed 15 civilians and wounded at least 91 others.
• Dec 2011 - Militants probably from the CPI Maoist group launched an IED and small arms attack on a convoy carrying a former state legislative speaker, killing 12 police officers and one civilian in Jharkhand.

You can read full report here >> http://www.nctc.gov/docs/2011_NCTC_Annual_Report_Final.pdf 

वाळूचे अर्थकारण

जगाचा इतिहास चाळून बघितला तर, प्रत्येक संघर्षामागे कुठले ना कुठले संसाधन आहे. 'ब्लड डायमंड' चित्रपटात एक संवाद आहे, "Throughout the history of Africa.. whenever a substance of value is found... the locals die in great numbers and in misery.. This was true of Ivory, rubber, gold and oil. It is now true for diamonds..."

वरील वाक्य वाळूला देखील लागू आहे. तोच जागतिक कित्ता पण स्थानिक पातळीवर! वाळूचे साठे आहेत ग्रामीण भागात, नदीच्या काठी. पण त्याची गरज आहे नागरी भागात. मागणी-पुरवठ्याचे हे गणित सामन्यांच्या लक्षात यायच्या आधी व्यापारी, बांधकाम व्यावसायिक आणि राजकारण यांची भट्टी जमली. आणि सुरु झाला वाळूचा रक्तरंजित खेळ!

वर्तमानपत्रातून वाळूबद्दल भरभरून लिहिले गेले आहे. पण ह्या लेखाचा उद्देश थोडासा वेगळा आहे. वाळूचे अर्थकारण समजून घेण्याचा प्रयत्न येथे केला आहे. ग्रामीण भागापासून शहरांपर्यंत आणि तेथून पुढे जागतिक आर्थिक विकासापर्यंत हे अर्थकारण गुंतले आहे. 'जागतिकीकरणा'च्या रेट्यात जागतिक घडामोडींचा परिणाम ग्रामीण भागापर्यंत होत आहे, तसेच ग्रामीण भागातील प्रश्न जागतिक पातळीवर उत्तर शोधत आहेत. वाळूचे अर्थकारण जरी स्थानिक पातळीवरचे असले तरी त्याचे परिणाम राष्ट्रीय आहेत. तसेच ह्या व्यवहाराचे परिणाम केवळ आर्थिक न राहता सामाजिक, राजकीय देखील झाले आहेत. त्यासंदर्भातच घेतलेला हा आढावा...

भारतात झपाट्याने नागरीकरण वाढत आहे. २०११ च्या जनगणनेनुसार सध्या ३१% नागरीकरण झाले आहे. हाच आकडा येत्या काही वर्षात ५०% पर्यंत जाण्याची शक्यता आहे. महाराष्ट्र, तमिळनाडू, गोवा, मिझोरम इ. राज्यात तर आताच हा आकडा ५०% च्या आसपास आहे. १९९१ साली भारताने आर्थिक विकासासाठी उदारीकरणाचे धोरण स्वीकारले. ओघानेच नागरीकरणासही वेग आला. नागरीकरण वाढले की बांधकाम क्षेत्र भरभराटीस येते. apartments/ row -houses/ pent - houses, मॉल्स, multiplexes, रस्ते - उड्डाणपूल, मेट्रो याच्या मार्गाने बांधकामाची मागणी वाढते. परिणामी बांधकामासाठी लागणाऱ्या कच्च्या मालाची मागणी देखील वाढत जाते. पोलाद, वाळू, लाकूड, विटा यासारखे धंदे तेजीत येतात. या सगळ्या साखळीत ग्रामीण भाग / वनवासी भाग नकळत अडकला जातो, आणि भरडलाही!

वाळूच्या बाबतीत हेच होत आहे. गेली काही वर्षे हा प्रश्न महाराष्ट्रात रण पेटवतो आहे. कायदे झाले, धोरणे ठरवण्यात आली, लुटा-लूट झाली, रक्त सांडले. पण वाळू पेटतच आहे. ह्याचे अर्थकारण समजून घेण्याचा प्रयत्न केला. पण सगळा सावळ गोंधळच. जिल्हापातळीवर जिल्हाधिकारी वाळू-पट्ट्याचे लिलाव करतो. ना कुठली मोजणी, ना संसाधन-निर्धारण, ना मूल्य-निर्धारण! निविदा मागवून सर्वात जास्त बोली लावणाऱ्या ठेकेदाराला पट्टा बहाल केला जातो. जिल्हा-तालुका पातळीवर होणाऱ्या या लिलावांमध्ये धांदली - भ्रष्टाचार किती होत असेल हे वेगळे सांगायला नको. पण तरीही हे अर्थकारण समजावून घेण्यास काहीतरी आधार हवा, म्हणून ढोबळ तत्त्वावर घेतलेला एक आढावा --

· वाळू पट्टा - मौजे वांगी, तालुका - मानवत, जिल्हा - परभणी.

· नदीक्षेत्र - गोदावरी

· ठेकेदारीचे वर्ष - २००७-०८

· कंत्राटाची रक्कम - २९ लाख (१२ महिन्यांकरिता)

· उपशाचा कालावधी - १० महिने (पावसाचे २ महिने उपसा करणे दुरापास्त होते)

· गावकऱ्यांच्या सांगण्यावरून दररोज किमान ३० ट्रक्स वाळूचा उपसा होत असे.

· एका ट्रक मध्ये साधारण २ ते ४ ब्रास वाळू असते.

· एका ट्रकची तत्कालीन किमत (परभणी भागात) - रु. २००० ते २५०० होती.

· ह्यानुसार एका महिन्यात - किमान ९०० ट्रक्स आणि विक्री रु. १८ लाख ते २२.५ लाख

· म्हणजेच एका वर्षातील विक्री - रु. १.८ कोटी ते २.२५ कोटी (१० महिन्यांप्रमाणे)

· एका महिन्यात सुमारे १८०० ते ३६०० ब्रास वाळू उपसा होतो म्हणजे वर्षाकाठी अंदाजे १८००० ते ३६००० ब्रास

· २०११-१२ च्या परभणी जिल्ह्या - वाळू लिलाव - सीआर मध्ये वांगी गावासाठी अंदाजे उपलब्ध वाळू २६५० ब्रास दाखवली असून त्याची सरकारी किमत (अपसेट प्राईस) रु २१.८४ लाख एवढी सांगितली आहे - ह्याचे कंत्राट रु. ३१ लाख ला देण्यात आले आहे.

· सध्या एक ब्रास नैसर्गिक वाळूची पुण्यातली किंमत रु. १०००० आहे

हे या अर्थकारणामागचे रहस्य. मजुरीचा, वाहतुकीचा खर्च वगळूनही निव्वळ नफा हा किमान १-१.२५ कोटीपर्यंत जातो. हे फक्त परभणी जिल्ह्यातील एका छोट्या गावाबाबत. हेच प्रमाण संपूर्ण महाराष्ट्राबाबत लागू करून बघता, सगळी गणिते गळून पडतात!

पण हे अर्थकारण फक्त येथेच थांबत नाही. वाळू विक्रीतील ह्या 'घबाड्या' (windfall gain) व्यतिरिक्त ग्रामीण-शहरी अर्थव्यवस्था, दळणवळण व्यवस्था, रस्ते, रोजगार ह्या सर्व क्षेत्रात याची झळ पोहचते.

वाळूउपश्याचे दुष्परिणाम:

वाळू उपशाच्या प्रक्रियेबाबत शासनाने घालून दिलेले सगळे नियम धाब्यावर बसवून वाळू उत्खनन सर्रास चालू आहे. एकेका क्षेत्रातून २०-२५ हजार ब्रास वाळू उत्‍खनन करतात आणि रानोमाळ वाळूचे डेपो (साठा) तयार करतात. बोटी, पोकलेन अशा अत्‍याधुनिक अवजारांनी युक्त या वाळूमाफियांनी नद्यांमध्‍येच विहिरी, तलाव, तळी निर्माण केली आहेत. सांप्रत ३० ते ५० फूट खोल खड्डयांमुळे सार्‍याच नद्यांची पात्रे खोल व धोकादायक बनली आहेत. अमर्याद उत्‍खनन झाल्‍याने नदीपात्रे खोल गेली आहेत व परिणामी भूजल पातळी खालावल्‍याने विहिरी, तलाव, तळी आटली आहेत. २०-२५ वर्षापूर्वी १५-२० फुटांवर आडाला, विहिरीला पाणी लागत असे. परंतु आज नद्यांमधील सततच्‍या वाळूउत्‍खननामुळे भूजलपातळी कमालीची खोल गेली आहेत. ५०-६० फूट खोल खोदूनही विहिरींना पाणी लागत नाही. जुन्‍या विहिरी, तळी, तलाव आटले आहेत. पावसाचे पाणी जिरत नसल्‍याने प्रत्‍येक पूर अतोनात नुकसान करुन जात आहे व मागे नद्या-नाले कोरडे पडत आहेत. ‘पाणी अडवा पाणी जिरवा’ या शासकीय घोषणेची शासनानेच खिल्‍ली उडविली आहे.

सध्‍याच्‍या नद्या म्‍हणजे गढूळ पाण्‍याचे नाले झाले आहेत. नद्यांची गटारे झाल्‍याने ते गढूळ पाणी रोगराई पसरवीत आहे. नदीपात्रात खोल विहिरी, तळी निर्माण केल्‍यामुळे नद्यांकडचे पाणवठेच नष्‍ट झाले आहेत. रानावनातून जनावरांना प्‍यायला पाणी मिळत नाही. गुरेढोरे व वन्‍यजीव पाण्‍याचा अंदाज न आल्‍याने किंवा पायाखालची वाळू सरकल्‍याने तोल जाऊन नद्यांमध्‍ये पडत आहेत व जमिनीची धूप होत असल्‍याने त्‍यांना बाहेरही येता येत नाही. परिणामी वन्‍यजीव, जनावरे मरत आहेत. मनुष्‍य व प्राणिमित्रांची जीवितहानी ही नित्‍याची बाब झाली आहे. नदीपात्रात प्रामुख्‍याने वाळूत नदीकाठी झुडपाच्‍या आश्रयाला असलेले पक्षी देखील नामशेष होण्‍याच्‍या मार्गावर आहेत. मोरांची संख्‍या कमी झाली आहे. वाळूउपसा करताना नदीपात्रात वापरल्‍या जाणार्‍या इंजिनामधून ऑईल, डिझेलसारखी रासायनिक द्रव्‍ये मोठया प्रमाणात सांडल्यामुळे अनेक जलचर नष्‍ट झाले आहेत. स्‍थलांतरित झालेल्‍या वाळू उत्‍खनन कामगारांनी सरपणासाठी नदीकाठची झाडे तोडली आहेत. मोठया प्रमाणात सुपीक जमिनीची धूप होत आहे व नदीपात्रेच बदलत आहेत. वातावरणात बदल, ग्‍लोबल वॉर्मिग, पर्यावरण संवर्धन या शब्‍दापासूनही अनभिज्ञ असलेली बिल्‍डर लॉबी, वाळूमाफिया, सरकारी यंत्रणा, वाळूउत्‍खनन करणारे कर्मचारी आणि लोकप्रतिनिधी हे सर्व ह्यास जबाबदार आहेत. त्यांनी नदीकाठच्या पर्यावरणाचा रऱ्हास करून टाकला आहे.

वाळू वाहतूकीचे दुष्परिणाम:

वाळूची मुख्य मागणी नागरी भागात आहे. त्यामुळे ही वाळू नदीपात्राकडून शहरी भागाकडे नेणे अपरिहार्य होते. वाळूचे कंत्राट मिळाले की वाळूचे रुपांतर सोन्यात होते. वरील आकडेवारी वरून हे स्पष्ट होतेच. दोन ब्रास वाळूची वाहतूक करणे परवडणारे नाही. त्यामुळे किमान ४-५ ब्रास वाळूची वाहतूक करण्यात येते. पंतप्रधान ग्रामीण सडक योजनेंतर्गत बांधलेल्या रस्त्यांवरून १० टन वजनाचे ट्रक जाऊ शकतात. मात्र ४ ब्रास वाळू म्हणजे जवळपास १६ टन वजनाची वाळू असलेल्या ट्रक्सची वाहतूक अशा रस्त्यांवरून होते. गोदावरी नदीच्या पात्रातून उपसा केलेल्या वाळूची दररोज वाहतूक करणाऱ्या प्रचंड क्षमतेच्या शेकडो टिप्पर्सनी कित्येक किलोमीटरपर्यंतचे रस्ते पूर्णतः उखडून टाकले आहेत. परिणामी, शेकडो गावांतील दळणवळणाचा प्रश्‍न गंभीर झाला आहे. रस्ते उखडल्याने कोट्यवधींचे नुकसान होत आहे. आज वाळू वाहतुकीमुळे परभणी-बीड-औरंगाबाद, सोलापूर-नगर-पुणे-मुंबई ह्या भागात रस्ते उखडले गेल्यामुळे शासनाचे कोट्यावधी रुपयांचे नुकसान झाले आहे.

याउलट नदीच्या पात्रातील वाळूपट्ट्यांमधून चारचाकी टेम्पो, ट्रॅक्‍टर, सहाचाकी ट्रकपासून 16 चाकी टिप्पर्समार्फत वाळू मोठ्या प्रमाणावर वाहून नेण्यात येते. यामुळेच ह्या क्षेत्रातील उद्योग मात्र भरभराटीस आले आहेत. गेल्या काही वर्षात भारतीय ट्रक्स क्षेत्र १४% ने वाढत आहे. क्रिसिल च्या अवाहालानुसार सध्या भारतात ६.७ लाख ट्रक्स आहेत, हीच संख्या २०१४-१५ पर्यंत १२.७५ लाखापर्यंत जाण्याची शक्यता आहे. या जोरदार संधीमुळे जपानी, चीनी कंपन्या भारतात विस्तार करीत आहेत.

रस्त्यांच्या दुरवस्थेमुळे रस्तांवरून चालणाऱ्या वाहनांचे गणितेही बिघडत आहेत. इंधनाचा अधिक खर्च, त्यामुळे होणारे प्रदूषण, दुरुस्तीचा खर्च वाढला आहे. परिवहन मंडळाच्या परभणी विभागाच्या एका वरिष्ठ अधिकाऱ्याने याबाबत अशी माहिती दिली -

· सरासरी १० ते १५ फेऱ्या दररोज केवळ खराब रस्त्यांमुळे रद्द होत आहेत.

· दरमहा वाढलेला तांत्रिक खर्च

o स्प्रिंग व पाटे तुटणे - १८ लाख

o टायर पंक्‍चर, फुटणे - ३ लाख ६२ हजार

o वाढीव इंधन - ७ लाख रुपये

o बसगाड्यांची दुरुस्ती - १० लाख रुपय

· याशिवाय वैयक्तिक वाहनांचा वाढलेला खर्च तर अगणनीय आहे.

वाळू वाहतुकीसाठी काही नियम आहेत. जसे- ट्रक वर कापड टाकून वाहतूक कारणे. ह्या नियमाचे सर्रास उल्लंघन होते. त्यामुळे वाळूच्या ट्रकमागे मोठी धूळ उडते. त्यामुळे मागून येणाऱ्या छोट्या गाड्या जसे दुचाकी वगैरे चालविण्यास मोठी अडचण होते. दुचाकींच्या वाढलेल्या अपघातामागे 'अल्प-दर्शनक्षमता' (low visibility) हे एक महत्त्वाचे कारण आहे. दर्शनक्षमता कमी होण्यामागे मोठ्या गाड्यांमुळे उडालेली धूळ असते, हे सरळ आहे. आर्थिक नुकसानिशिवाय मानवी नुकसानही होतेच आहे.

वाळू मागणीक्षेत्र:

वाळूची वाढत्या मागणीमागे 'औद्योगिकीकरण' आणि त्यामुळे वाढते 'नागरीकरण' आहे. उदयास आलेला मध्यमवर्ग नागरी भागात घरांची मागणी करू लागला आहे. सोबतच पायाभूत सोयी-सुविधांचीही मागणी आहेच. त्यामुळे बांधकाम क्षेत्र प्रचंड भरभराटीस आले. वाळू सारख्या कच्च्या मालाचीही मागणी वाढली. पण मागणी - पुरवठा ह्या अर्थकारणामध्ये कंत्राटदार, बांधकाम व्यावसायिक, वाहतूक माफिया आणि राजकीय नेते ह्यांनी भट्टी जमविली. स्वस्तात वाळूसारखी संसाधने मिळवायची, मागणी-पुरवठा नियंत्रित करून सोन्याचा भाव द्यायचा, घराच्या किमती अवाच्यासव्वा वाढवायच्या आणि ह्या सगळ्या व्यवहारात गडगंज फायदा मिळवायचा असे अगदी सामान्य गणित आहे. गौण खनिजाच्या लिलावात महसुलाचे नुकसान होतच आहे. पण याच महसुलातून सामन्यांसाठी तयार केलेल्या पायाभूत सुविधा पण 'उखडल्या' जात आहेत. सामान्य माणसाला तर दुहेरी फटका बसत आहे. या सुविधांचा उपभोक्ता म्हणून 'खाचखळगे' तर तो सहन करतोच, पण एका बाजूला नदीकाठच्या गावांचे अर्थशास्त्र कोसळत आहे तर दुसऱ्या बाजूला 'नव-मध्यमवर्ग' महिन्याचे हप्ते भरून आपले गणित कसेतरी जुळवत आहे.

वाळू बनणे ही हजारो वर्षांची नैसर्गिक प्रक्रिया आहे. ती मनुष्याला तयार करता येत नाही. परंतु आपण कृत्रिम वाळू, क्रश सॅण्‍ड (एम-सॅण्‍ड) वापरु शकतो. ही वाळू विशिष्‍ट प्रकारच्‍या दगडापासून तयार केली जाते. नदी तसेच समुद्रातील वाळूला हा अत्‍यंत चांगला पर्याय असून त्‍यामुळे नदी, तसेच समुद्रपात्रात होणारी झीज टाळता येऊ शकते. बिल्‍डर लॉबीच्या मते, क्रशर सॅण्‍डमुळे बांधकाम निकृष्‍ट दर्जाचे होते, परंतु हह्यात फारसे तथ्य नाही. कारण केरळ, तमिळनाडू, आंध्रप्रदेश इत्‍यादी प्रदेशात बांधकामासाठी अशा प्रकारच्‍या वाळूचा मोठया प्रमाणात वापर केला जातो. याउलट विविध योजनांतर्गत नदीच्‍या व समुद्राच्‍या वाळूने बांधलेल्‍या मुंबईतील ९० टक्‍के इमारती निकृष्‍ट दर्जाच्‍या आहेत, हे शासनाने ध्‍यानात घ्‍यावे. जुन्‍या इमारती पाडल्‍यानंतर निघणार्‍या रॅबिटवर प्रक्रिया करुन पुन्‍हा बांधकामात वापरण्‍याचे तंत्रज्ञान विविध देशात विकसित झाले आहे. त्‍याचाही या बिल्‍डर लॉबीने व शासनाने अभ्‍यास करावा. व हा वाळूउपसा थांबवावा. अशाप्रकारचे पर्याय बिल्‍डरांना सहज परवडू शकतात. परंतु गरीब शेतकर्‍याला त्‍यांचे सुपीक क्षेत्र पाण्‍यात जाणे हे कधीच परवडणारे नाही किंवा पर्यावरणाचेही त्‍यात हित नाही..!

(अर्थपूर्ण मासिकाच्या फेब्रुवारी २०१२ च्या अंकात हा लेख प्रसिद्ध झाला होता. )

My article Published at CRI - Please click on the link..

Prakashyatra: A Tour for Enlightenment : Centre Right India

PRAKASHYATRA: A TOUR FOR ENLIGHTENMENT

Abhishek M Chaudhari · 15 Comments 

(Abhishek M Chaudhari, an Engineering Graduate from Parbhani, visited Gujarat visit as part of Prakashyatra, an initiative of Mumbai based Rambhau Mhalagi Prabodhini. It was a governance tour program, specifically for youths to know about developmental initiative of Gujarat. The 3 day tour was from 22 to 24 August. He penned down this piece after his trip)

India is going through a political upheaval. We keep reading about various political dramas, immature statements by the politicians, making and breaking of the coalitions. Government, in the center as well as in various states, is failing to deliver basic services to the people it governs. Several corruption scandals are coming to the surface; 2G scam, Commonwealth Games scandal, Adarsh Society case, and the recent Coalgate scam; the list is unending. We get to read a lot of things about these scams too.

 As a ‘common man’, I find myself to be helpless in front of this corrupt, inefficient government. I had readily taken part in the movement against corruption last year. But that movement also could not bear any fruits. Implementation of an effective Lokpal Bill still looks like a distant possibility. The helpless and angry ‘common man’ in me continues to ventilate his feelings through the social media.

 While I was surfing through the internet one day, I saw a proposal about the study tour; it was named ‘Prakashyatra – Gujarat’. This was an intiative by Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini (RMP), Mumbai. I was aware of this institute based in Mumbai that trains young political activists and social workers. I had also attended some of their seminars in Delhi. Nevertheless, this ‘Prakashyatra – Gujarat’ seemed to be a novel idea.

 It was a 3-day Governance Tour to Gujarat, specially designed for youths. The plan was to study their model of development, to know about the developmental projects in details, to visit some of these projects, and lastly to meet and interact with Chief Minister Mr. Narendra Modi. The ‘Gujarat Model’ is being talked about everywhere these days. While rest of India is lagging behind  Gujarat has been doing surprisingly well. It was indeed a great opportunity to see those things directly. I was amazed by the plan and immediately applied.

There was an All-India screening through which the applicants had to go; but fortunately I could clear it. RMP had selected 14 young professionals; they had come from various parts of India and belonged to different professions. It was also a great opportunity to meet active people from various fields. We were to be accompanied by Mr. Ravindra Sathe of RMP. I reached Ahmedabad on August 22. Our stay was near the Shahi Baag circuit house. With the delicious Gujarati breakfast of ‘jalebi-papadi’, we all were informally introduced to each other.

 A bus was waiting for us outside, to take us on our ‘Prakashyatra’. There were 2 officers of the Information department to guide us through the tour. The bus took us to the Gandhinagar Secretariate, where we were given informative presentations about 5 major initiatives of the Government.

 Om Namami Devi Narmade…

An engineer from the Sardar Sarovar project was the first presenter. Sardar Sarovar is a huge project to divert water from river Narmada in southern Gujarat to central-northern-western Gujarat through canals. The main canal is 456 km long. Then other canals of approximately 1900 km length will take this water to several parts of the state. Moreover, canals will also discharge water in river Sabarmati and river Mahi. This project was praised as one of the 8 incredible projects in the world in 1994. The project is dually useful  as it supplies water and produces energy. The plan is to supply 28 MAP (Million Acre Feet) water and to produce 1450 MW energy. This will bring 18 lacks hector land of Gujarat under irrigation, as at least 9000 villages and 131 towns would receive water supply, 30000 hector of land will be protected from floods, and there will be 10 lack employment creations.

Next presentation was about the water management in Gujarat. Water will reach villages through the canals. But wat after that? It is a common experience in India that major water supply projects are initiated, but water does not reach common man. This is where Gujarat stands different. Modi Government initiated changes in water supply and management system in 2002. Firstly, the Water Supply department was rearranged. A new Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), named WASMO, was established. ’Users are the best managers’ is there motto! The Water Committee (Pani Samitee) is the major institution in this project. The water committees in villages do the water need-assessments and accordingly make plans. Implementation of the plan is also the responsibility of that committee. WASMO provides technical and financial assistance for the implementation of the projects. Tariff of the water, time-frame for its collection is decided by the Water Committee with the consent of the Gram-sabha. Till date, Water Committee has been set up in almost 90% of the villages; 8000 projects were completed till june 2012, 75% households are receiving water supply through taps. Moreover, 1,19,149 personnel are specially trained to maintain the quality of water that is being supplied. According to one study conducted in Gandhinagar district, 98% of water supplied is clean, pure and potable. WASMO has received several awards, including Prime Minister’s Best Public Service Award (2008), United Nations Public Service Award (2009) and International Award for Novelty by CAPAM organisation (2010).

 Gujarat: The Real Gateway of India

The third presentation was regarding the maritime transport and port management. Gujarat is gifted with the 1600 km coastline. In addition to this, it’s location is ‘geo-politically’ very important. Understanding this, Gujarat has achieved a lot in maritime transport and development of ports. In last 15 years, the contribution of Gujarat Maritime Board has increased from 8% to 28%. Among 915 sea ports in India  260 are situated in Gujarat. As we know, Gujarat government has been encouraging private investment. Consequently, in last 10 years, more than 20000 crores have been invested for the development of ports. Thus, several private ports have been developed, like Dahej, Mundhra, Pipagaon, Sikka, Hazeera. Ship-building is also encouraged. For easy access to the ports, there is coordination between rail-road-sea transports. Moreover, other projects like, ro-ro round service, greenfield port project, port SEZ project, Sea training program, etc are also underway. States having large coastline, like Maharashtra (840 km) can learn a lot from Gujarat. We have heard of Gateway of India situated in Mumbai. Today, Gujarat is trying to become the ‘real’ Gateway of India.

 Sky is the limit

Next presentation was about one of the most ambitious projects of the government. Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR) is first of its kind in India. Dholera SIR was set up by the Gujarat government through a special act in 2009. It will be established on a land of approximately 90,000 hectors. It would include 6 core industrial sectors, 6 CBDs, 3 IT parks, Ahmedabad- Bhavnagar highway, as well as several play-grounds, air ports, golf courses, solar fields, Kalpasar dam, etc. The SIR will create employment for 8 lac people. It is sure to create New Gujarat within Gujarat. Indeed, this is the tag line of the project.

 The last presentation was about the GIFT. Economic globalization is the most striking feature of the 21st century. There are several challenges in front of us in this ever-changing world. Mr. Narendra Modi has realized these challenges and has taken up a huge project in hands, that is ‘GIFT’!  It is a project to build a ‘finance city’, based on the idea of Le-Defense of Paris or Dockyard of London. The proposed finance city can provide the financial services not only to India but to the world. Target is to achieve $400 billion contribution to GDP and creation of 1 crore employment till 2020. According to a study by McKinsey, the proposed GIFT city will accommodate total of 5 Gurgaon’s and 7 Pune’s. GIFT is not to be confined to commerce, plan is also to develop it as an entertainment hub. To know more about GIFT and to see its Diamond shaped central building, please visit its website.

 On the front of Sabaramati

Impressed by these 5 presentations, we left the secratariat and turned to our next destination, Sabarmati River Front!! Rivers are fast deteriorating in the 21st century because of the developmental activities, and unprecedented pollution. We always hear the cries of ‘save Ganga’, ‘save Yamuna’. However, these slogans hardly materialize. But when concerns about deterioration of river Sabarmati were being raised, Gujarat government came up with a unique plan. Sabarmati River Front Development Corporation was established for the development of 11 km stretch on both sides of river Sabarmati that runs through the city of Ahmedabad. All the drainage outlets were diverted to clean and purify the flow of water. To maintian the water level in Sabarmati, water was diverted from river Narmada through the main canal of Sardar Sarovar project and it was released in Sabarmati. This region (Sabarmati River Front) is also to be developed as a tourist attraction, with beautiful side-walks, amusement parks, cultural activity centers, and museums being set up. In addition to this, ‘ferry service’ is also planned for water transport. This project will increase the ground water levels, and improve the water supply in the town. It will create green Ahmedabad. The project has received several national and international awards even before its completion.

 Janmarg

Today, all the major cities are facing the problem of transport. Gujarat has achieved 42% urbanization. The percentage is likely to cross 50% in coming years. It is very important to find the solution of the transport problem. We were shown a revolutionary project of to solve the challenges faced in urban transportation - Ahmedabad BRTS project. Such BRTS projects were also initiated in cities like Delhi and Pune; they are also planned in some other cities. But till date, Ahmedabad BRTS is the only successful BRTS project in India. This is a 90 km bus service (today 45% is working) that transports 1.25 lac people every day. The project is developed through Public Private Partnership (PPP). BRTS control room is well-equipped by information technology and GPS. We were given live demonstration from this control room. All the information, like current location of the bus, driver’s name, his entire record, number of the passengers, is displayed on the big screen. We also had a round in the BRTS bus. Speedy service, spacious buses, limited passengers and beautiful bus stops, everything was praiseworthy.

 Our last destination for the first day was a ‘child park’. Though it was a child park, adults would also be very happy to visit it. This park is developed on a unique concept. There are small models of bank, post office, police station, law court, hospital, radio room; and also replicas of BRTS bus, ambulance van and fire brigade vehicle. Kids can go to the small bank, take out money at the ATMs, and deposit cheques. There are live demonstrations by the kids at all these models. Children come in the fire-brigade vehicle and try to rescue people from fire site; kids play judges in courts, punish criminals and deliver justice; and they become doctors in the hospital and do surgeries! We were amazed to see this small but moving world of children. Kids playing in such a garden are sure to become responsible citizens of India tomorrow!

 The Solar Ocean

The second day of the tour began very early. We got into our bus at 6′o clock. We were to reach Charanka Solar Park, that was 250 km away from Ahmedabad. This is the only solar plant, not only in India but also in Asia, that produces 500 MW solar energy at one place. This is possible only because of Mr. Modi’s leadership. He not only succeeded in attracting private investors in solar sector but also managed to keep the tariff low. Gujarat already had good basic infrastructure. At the same time, system of governance was also made easy and accessible for the private investors. Investors chose this easy system over the red-tapism found elsewhere in India.

 Mr. Modi wants to make Gujarat a hub of solar power. But production of solar energy needs a lot of space, as approximately 5 acres of land is required to produce 1 MW of solar energy. Therefore, there was a problem of land. This problem was also solved in a unique way. Solar panels were installed on the Mehsana canal in the Sardar Sarovar project. This was beneficial in two ways; as the land was saved, as well as there was reduction in water evaporation. Moreover, water heats and cools very slowly. Considering this characteristic of water, there is plenty of heat content available for the solar panels. In total 1000 MW solar energy that India produces, 600 MW is produced in Gujarat alone.

However, Gujarat is not confined to solar energy. In fact it has achieved considerably in overall energy sector. There was a complete revolution in the field of energy production, transmission and distribution since 2003; and several improvements were introduced in the power sector through systematic planning. Transmission  distribution loss is brought down from 36% to 20%. There was scarcity of 500MW in Gujarat in 2000-2001; today, Gujarat is producing 2500 MW of surplus energy. The ‘Jyotigram Yojana’ of the Gujarat government is implemented all over India today. It is being praised from around the world.

We came back to Ahmedabad in the evening. I want to bring it to your attention another aspect of development here. Charanka is 250 km away from Ahmedabad. It is situated in the remote region of the Rann of Kutch. Even in such a condition, we reached Charanka in just 4 hours. We travelled through the national highway, state highway, and also district roads. But roads were of top quality. Even after travelling for 500 km in a day, we felt very fresh in the evening.

 Narendra Modi…

A meeting with Chief Minister Mr. Narendra Modi was scheduled during the 3rd day. The meeting was fixed in Gandhinagar Circuit House. Chief Minister came sharp at 11′o clock. He waved at us and asked, ‘क्यों प्रकाशयात्रीओं,
प्रकाशमान हो गए?’ (are you enlightened through this tour?). After the introduction session, he was willing to hear the ideas of young Indian minds. Each of us spoke about what we saw, experienced, felt in last three days. He listened to us silently, with his face full of enthusiasm. He carefully took note of our suggestions. When he started speaking, he had taken threads from our talks. He spoke passionately, his words coming straight from his heart. It was his vigour, patriotism and experience supplementing his words. He modestly admitted that the development of Gujarat has just started, and it has to go long way. We were surprised; if this was the beginning for him, what exactly was his ‘end’. Where does he want to take Gujarat to…!!

 Former Prime Minister Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee made ‘development’ a national issue. Going ahead in that direction, Modi wants to make development a ‘basic need’. He wants development to be people’s movement. One of us asked him a question about the ‘sustainability’ of the Gujarat model. He immediately clarified, ‘Modi may or may not be there.. but development of Gujarat shall not stop’. Thus, his effort is to institutionalize every idea, every developmental activity. He touched several issues while talking to us. Another question was asked from our side, ‘how should be the system of government in the 21st century?’. He instantly relpied, ‘Maximum Governance Minimal Government’!

 Honestly I am lost for words to describe the Gujarat experience. Still, we were rightly aware of the fact that we could cover only 20-25% of the developmental activities in Gujarat. We could just hear about the Jyotigram plan, Karmayogi program, Annual ‘Chintan Shibir’ for the officers, Nirmal Gujarat plan, RURBAN plan, Chief Minister Fellowship plan, e-city, Sadbhavana Yatra, vidya-deep plan, teachers’ training institute, Raksha-Shakti University, etc. What we saw was the tip of an iceberg.

 While I came back from Gujarat, I was full of energy, vigour and enthusiasm. The feeling of helplessness had suddenly disappeared. This ‘Prakashyatra’ definitely proved to be a bright ‘ray of light’ in the current darkness!

FDI in Retail: Farmers' Perspective

Fdi in retail farmers' perspective from Abhishek Chaudhari

National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC)

Provisions:

·         National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), an agency to maintain data of terror modules, terrorists, their associates, friends, families and supporters.
·         The NCTC will derive powers from the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), which allows central government agencies to make arrests or searches in terror-related cases while keeping state police concerned into the loop.
·         The NCTC will also have the power to seek information, including documents, reports, transcripts, and cyber information from any agency, including from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), National Investigation Agency, NATGRID, National Technical Research Organization, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence and all seven central armed police forces including the National Security Guard (NSG).
·         The agency has worked out on the model of the US' similar body aimed at combating terrorism by collecting and analysing threats, sharing the inputs and information with other agencies and converting this into actionable data.
·         The counter-terrorism agency will be a separate body located in the Intelligence Bureau under the control of the home ministry.
·         It will draw up plans and coordinate actions for counter terrorism" and will integrate intelligence pertaining to terrorism, analyse the same
·         The head of the NCTC will be called director and will be an officer in the rank of additional director IB.

Objections:

1. The Congress government at the centre will use the NCTC to target non-Congress states
2. The issue of NCTC have not been discussed with the opposition/states. This has been pattern since the case of nuclear issues alone. The decision to establish NCTC took 22 excruciating months; still it is not being discussed with any state government. 
3.  The NCTC will infringe on the rights of the states stems from the fact that despite facing decades of insurgency and terrorism, India has failed to look at how our Constitution should strengthen our hands in fighting this twin malaise.
4. The next objection is about multiplicity of agencies involved in counter-terrorism. While Multi Agency Centre (MAC) hitherto run by the Intelligence Bureau is to be subsumed into NCTC. But organizations like the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) will continue functioning independently albeit all intelligence agencies are to provide inputs to NCTC.
5. The power to arrest and seize, vested with the Joint Secretary in the Home Ministry and the State Home Secretary, was now sought to be transferred to IB officers in the NCTC. This can be misused against the state governments.

Oppositions:

Ø  Mr. Narendra Modi, Chief Minister, Gujarat - The order was an attack on the federal structure of the country. The Centre did not even bother to consult the State governments. It had infringed on the rights and powers of the State by issuing the order. He said that under the order, all the intelligence agencies would have to carry out an assisting role to the NCTC, which would also have the powers to arrest and search.
In the name of fighting terror and Naxalism, the Centre was out to violate the federal structure of the Constitution under which law and order was placed as a State subject and the State governments given the powers to maintain law and order and manage the police force. But the NCTC order was a clear attack on the State's rights and powers and straight violation of the federal spirit of the constitution.
Suggestion - There is need to develop trust among the States and to have a single strategy with political willpower to battle problems like terror and Naxalism.

Ø  Mr. Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Chief Minister, Madhya Pradesh - Centre's decision a serious setback to the federal structure of the country. Law and order issues are subjects of the State. The Centre is gradually trying to increase its intervention in the affairs of the States.

Ø  Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, Himachal Pradesh - The move was another attempt to usurp the powers of the States. Whenever an incident of terrorism takes place, the Centre comes out with another investigating agency to divert the attention of the people and infringes upon the rights of the State, weakening the federal structure. The powers given to the CBI to investigate cases without nod from the State government and constitution of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had trampled upon the rights of the States. Instead of fighting terror, the UPA government was trying to arm itself with powers to dilute the country's federal structure. Noting that multiplication of agencies and interference in the functioning of States would not help in curbing terrorism.

Ø  Ms. Mamta Banerjee, Chief Minister, West Bengal - It is difficult for the State government to accept such arbitrary exercise of power by the Central government/Central agencies, which have a bearing on the rights and privileges of the State as enshrined in the Constitution. They say the Centre's counter-terror blueprint violates principles of federalism and encroaches upon the turf of the States.

Ø  Mr. Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister, Odisha – He asked the Prime-Minister to “review and withdraw” the February 3, 2012 order notifying the NCTC. The UPA government was issuing “authoritarian orders” without consulting the States. Asking the Prime Minister to review the order which had “draconian overtones,” Mr. Patnaik said the people were aware of their democratic and federal rights, which, at times, had to be underlined by the State governments to the Union government.

Ø  Ms. Jayalalithaa, Chief Minister, Tamilnadu - The proposed anti-terror body suffered from “deficiencies” and includes provisions that tantamount to usurping the legitimate rights of the States. The power to arrest and seize, vested with the Joint Secretary in the Home Ministry and the State Home Secretary, was now sought to be transferred to IB officers in the NCTC. This is highly objectionable and can be misused to suit ends that are motivated by reasons other than fighting terror. Moreover, setting up of inter-State intelligence teams is tantamount to usurping legitimate rights of the States.

Ø  Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also opposed the Centre's move. Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said it was a measure to usurp whatever was left of the States' authority in governance. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh opposed the Centre's notification.

Ø  TDP chief, N. Chandrababu Naidu - Requested Prime Minister to withdraw the order and initiate debate with political parties and State governments along with a discussion in Parliament on this “vital issue affecting Centre-State relations.” Mr. Naidu took exception to the provision in the order empowering the Director, NCTC, specified as Designated Authority under Section 2 (e) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 and his officers to arrest and conduct searches without prior consultation with the States. “It is inexplicable that such an important order, having ramifications over the Centre-State relations, has been issued without consulting the State governments and political parties.”