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EDITORIAL Contrary to erstwhile sidetracking of visible Pak material support to terrorist groups for spreading mayhem and anarchy in Jammu & Kashmir, it is for the first time that there is open denouncement of Pak sponsored terrorism. Whenever documentary evidence was provided to US, it did not take cognisance of that by saying that definite proof was not available of such Pak support to terrorism and that USA is keeping constant watch on the situation. One can recall anti-India statements made by Ms Raphel,......more Chief Vigilance Commissioner N Vittal is right on course that the prevailing rules and procedures breed corruption. Unless these are simplified, the menace of corruption cannot be tackled effectively. A lot has been stated as ....more |
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Contingency
plans to Boeing
‘Baby’ for Cops
with a clean, |
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EDITORIAL Contrary to erstwhile sidetracking of visible Pak material support to terrorist groups for spreading mayhem and anarchy in Jammu & Kashmir, it is for the first time that there is open denouncement of Pak sponsored terrorism. Whenever documentary evidence was provided to US, it did not take cognisance of that by saying that definite proof was not available of such Pak support to terrorism and that USA is keeping constant watch on the situation. One can recall anti-India statements made by Ms Raphel, the then senior functionary of US State Department, who lent open support to Pakistan at the peak of Hazratbal crisis and subsequently. The whole thrust was to hoodwink and browbeat India while simultaneously legitimising Pak sponsorship of terrorism in J&K State. It is therefore quite a welcome change in American stand when its Coordinator on Counter-terrorism Mr Michael A Sheehan minces no words in calling a spade a spade. During his briefing to the Senate Sub-Committee on terrorism he has accused Pakistan of becoming a base for terrorist attacks in India. This instantly confirms latest American stand that Jammu & Kashmir is indeed part of India. This is in typical contrast to Ms Raphael's statements when she openly challenged the very accession of J&K to India. Mr Sheehan who was recently in India for discussing cooperation between the two countries to counter terrorism and Joint Working Group emerged soon thereafter, names the organisations which are based in Pakistan and openly operate without any restrictions with full material support. Pakistan has consistently denied material support and only mentioned moral and political support. Pakistan even disowns its role in various training camps where terrorists from many countries are trained, including those meant to be infiltrated in Jammu & Kashmir. His analysis and explanations give full picture of the genesis of trans-border terrorism enjoying total material support of Pakistan. He confirms having asked Pakistan several times to wind up Madrassas. Instead of imparting religious education, these madrassas in Pakistan have been used for turning out terrorists. In fact, entire Taliban which now rules most of Afghanistan is the product of these Madrassas. Sometime back J&K Chief Minister had also mentioned these madrassas in J&K becoming centres for mercenaries and terrorism. He had vowed to take stringent action by revamping the entire education system. Such madrassas also exist in many other border States. These are mostly funded by Pan-Islamic nations. No wonder US State Department has also taken cognisance of the dangers posed by such madrassas to world peace. Mr Sheehan also says that besides providing all facilities and full support to many dreaded terrorist organisations Pakistan cooperates fully with Afghanistan where many training camps exist for turning out global terrorists. Pak links and support to Bin Laden is confirmed by Sheehan and that is something America hates to live with. It is this Bin Laden who heads Al-Qaida terrorist network that is the most wanted terrorist in American esteem. Pak links stand duly manifested because head of another Pak based global terrorist organisation Harkat-ul-Mujahideen's head signed the fatwa alongwith Bin Laden to kill Americans worldwide and attack their economic and other interests. Consequently, America is compelled to wind up or temporarily close down more than 70 consulates/embassies worldwide. Obviously, Americans do not wish to live under constant threat of such terrorists and hence the need for closer cooperation with India which is best placed to provide the right counter. American denouncement of Pakistan on providing material support to mercenaries and other ultras in J&K comes close on the heels of compelling Pakistan to withdraw from Kargil. It has also asked Pakistan to withdraw its forces from LoC and stop transborder terrorism. That is exactly what India had been demanding all these years. Even in its latest stand, External Affairs ministry has snubbed Pak dictator Gen Musharaff on his remarks regarding support to Jeahadis. America is also concerned on the ambitious Bin Laden who sometime back had expressed his ability to acquire nuclear and chemical weapons. From the above it is evident that there is change in American policy towards India. Sheehan's remarks should be read with American think-tank's advice to US Administration to actively and positively engage Russia, China and India individually by recognising their threat perceptions and strategic compulsions. Any delay in affording such recognition could bring all the three together to form formidable triple-axis to checkmate American hegemonic designs worldwide. Another positive outcome is that American policy makers are now prone to treat India and Pakistan on separate pedastals. While it likes to keep working-hold on Pakistan by not dumping it totally, it is already engaging India in wide ranging strategic and economic cooperation, the latest being countering terrorism. As Sheehan mentions Pakistan by name as the launching pad for global terrorism alongwith Afghanistan, it is to be seen how the JWG goes about providing the right counter to neutralise Pak sponsored terrorism. US denouncement of Pakistan is a positive victory for Indian stand. Together, they can counter terrorism more methodically and systematically. Chief Vigilance Commissioner N Vittal is right on course that the prevailing rules and procedures breed corruption. Unless these are simplified, the menace of corruption cannot be tackled effectively. A lot has been stated as regards ‘inspector-raj’ and successive Governments have promised to dwarf them in size and numbers. But end results clearly indicate cumbersome rules and procedures ruling the roost and hence corruption keeps on increasing by the day. N Vittal's stand duly supported by the UN report which mentions both India and Pakistan amongst the most poorly governed nations. In support thereof it mentions that at least 47 approvals are required to construct a building in Mumbai while a small scale entrepreneur have to deal with 36 different inspectors. This is the great source of corruption. Such procedures work to the detriment of the people. Such illegal funds garnered through corrupt practices exceed the official budgets. Corruption in turn negates the economic and social agendas prepared and funded with large amounts, sometime billions of dollars. That explains why poverty, illiteracy and deprivations continue to aggravate instead of scaling down. It is largely attributed to funds never reaching the targeted population. When Manmohan Singh was the Finance Minister in Narasimha Rao's Government, he had made pointed reference to the effect that it was not the shortage funds that impede development but the men who handle the funds siphon it off enroute. Even if 50% of the affected funds had been spent, none in India would have lived in penury conditions. |
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Contingency
plans to Dodge Y2K For some months now the topic for discussion in the cocktail circuit is Y2K. It has since spilled into newspaper and space and news space as well. As the year end approaches signalling the beginning of a new millennium, Y2K is bound to be the only issue to be tossed around. There is a view, with quite a following in this country, that Y2K is a Western worry. Not for India, given the very low level of computer penetration and the fact that government departments and the banking sector took to the computer idiom hardly five-six years back. This is a view shared by Merril Lynch. In its June 1999 report, "Asia Pacific & Y2K," the FII says, a vast majority of Indian companies will escape serious problems because of low levels of automation and lack of systems integration. Jardine Fleming, however, places India in the medium risk category along with Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Philippines. China and Pakistan along with Indonesia are placed in the high risk category. Jardine Fleming does not anticipate serious problems in Indian utilities on account of the Y2K bug. It appears to remark where are that many computers in India to make Y2K appear as a big phantom. Gartner Group, the most widely known source on year 2000 readiness efforts by enterprises, governments, and other agencies throughout the world, also does not consider India as a high profile case for concern, when the world is on the threshold of a new century. Its latest report released in August places India between category III and IV on the Gartner Compare Scale. Yojana Bhavan is unwilling to buy any of these views. In fact, it doesn't agree that the level of computer penetration in India is too low to cause any problems. "It would be wrong to conclude that there is no internal Y2K problem in many sectors of our economy other than basic infrastructure services", a Yojana Bhavan commissioned Task Force report maintains. It continues : internal failures in industries dealing with petroleum products, fertilizers, steel and manufacturing generally could lead to significant disruptions in supply along the chain". This argument is not very convincing at least to me and others like me dependent on the old faithful Olivetti, which does not need a UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply). Nevertheless, there is no dispute that for Indian companies, "linked to a seamless web of international economics and commercial relations, Y2K compliance is a must. Otherwise they run the risk of losing business. Shorn of the technological mumbo-jumbo, the problem is really a fallout of the way computers were used when these gadgets became a fad. In the early sixties, the year was recorded in computers in two digits to save space inside for more useful work. It was only four years ago, computer whizkids realised the gravity of the mistake that was allowed to continue unchecked. With the existing format, the first of January 2000 will become 01.01.00 and the computer, the magic of the twentieth century, will rationalise that 00 in the year slot indicated 1900. The consequent complications are imaginable even with our own level of computerisation. Most computers will work as though the year after 1999 is 1900. Some computers may just stop working. And we too will be face-to-face with Year 2000 (Y2K) problem, if one goes by the Action Force report, presented to the Planning Commission deputy chairman a couple of days ago. Like all official documents, this report also speaks in terms of contingency plans and readiness status reviews. There are two refreshing confessions which make the Montek Singh Ahluwalia report different. Firstly, it admits India woke up to the problem rather late, only last year by when the industrialised countries had spent billions on how to overcome Y2K snag. Secondly, it frankly concedes that there can be no iron-clad guarantees that we will not experience any problem. In fact, the report notes some significant sectors continue to be cause for concern, partly for lack of detailed information. Most of these areas fall under the state governments and concern such vital areas like water supply, sewerage and health. Will the states be able to rectify the defects, if any, in these sectors before the year is out. Ahluwalia is not worried. He believes that power sector is the key to functioning of water supply et al. And if power is Y2K, it is OK. Power sector is 99 per cent ready for the year-end celebrations. Banking sector has achieved a very high level of readiness. going by the claims made at the press meet following the presentation of the Ahluwalia report to K.C. cooperative banks are fully ready for the D-day. These account for about 90 per cent of the entire baning operations in the country, the report says, while complimenting the Reserve Bank for creating awareness about the problem even before others woke up to the threat. The Mumbai and Delhi clearing systems are ready to face the rush. The systems in Chennai and Calcutta, the two other gateways to Indian economy, are expected to be compliant by this month end. What will happen if some banker presses the wrong key on the keyboard of a computer ? If the power supply breaks down a day before the year end and the supply is not resumed for 24 hours, if any glitches hit the system, will the hapless customer be left high and dry ? Will there be enough money in the banking system to meet any contingency ? These are some of the questions and contingencies that cannot be ruled out in this country known for its babus' tendency of wilting under pressure. We are assured hard copies of all important books of accounts as also weekly abstracts of transactions will be maintained. Liquidity will be ensured and cash requirements met in any part of the country, says the report. What about foreign banks ? They will be allowed to bring in funds from overseas for two months, December and January. What about the share market, where speculation, not fundamentals matter ? In these days of stock exchanges extending their reach using the V Sat and terminals, any mischievous broker and innocent broker alike can play havoc with the system. SEBI, the watchdog (did it cover itself with glory in the Harshad Mehta scam even the second time around ?), is conscious of its charter, we are told. Major exchanges which account for almost 95 per cent of turnover at the bourses are already Y2K OK. If any broker is not "ready" from November 30, SEBI will switch off his terminal. Throughout the 100-page report, one expression occurs with unfailing regularity. The authors did not seem it fit to find an alternative. It may be because of their bureaucratic morrings. It could also be because of their penchant for "contingency" readiness. Whatever be the compelling factors, almost every page faithfully reports how each segment of the Indian Government is ready with a "contingency plan" and control rooms. Having said this, the report admits that there is no contingency plan to tackle Y2K issues. In the post-Y2K scenario, quite a number of court cases are likely to be slapped on whoever matters. A legal framework, if put in place well in advance, can save precious time of the judiciary, money of the litigants and provide relief to others concerned. The Law Ministry should have no problem in acting with speed in this area. If it cannot get parliament pass the law in time it can take recourses to the time tested short cut - ordinance, a couple of minutes before the stroke of the midnight hour on December 31, to drive home the message that the Indian Law Ministry too is wide awake to emerging scenario. - CNF |
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Cops with a clean, humane
image The police are supposed to maintain law and order in their respective states. The internal security of the country hinges on their day-to-day performance. But for better results, they must strive for a community-oriented service and seek active cooperation from public spirited persons. By their conduct and behaviour, they must win people's confidence. Their impartial behaviour would bear them in good stead and raise their image in public estimation. As is known, in the fight against crime policemen form the first line of attack. Police officers, irrespective of their ranks, are expected to function impartially and differentiate between the oppressor and the oppressed. In short, the aggrieved person should always look at policemen as friends, if not as angels. The inaction and the delay on the part of the police not only to their inefficiency, these also raise doubts in the minds of the public. It is, therefore, imperative, that the police should not only act impartially but also promptly. The police approach should be corrective and the officers must function within the ambit of law. It is the duty of the police to keep a watch on the activities of criminals and take punitive action wherever necessary. Of late, the police have received adverse notice for "involvement in serious crimes, ranging from corruption to extortion from victims who are either innocent persons or business magnates. These disreputable members of the force deserve summary justice for even ordinary criminals would bow their heads in shame on learning that the cops have outdone them in crime. Misdeeds by lower ranks cast a sorry reflection on seniors who cannot escape responsibility. For, though the criminal act by an officer is his "individual" action, the "supervising" officers concerned cannot escape the blame. Incidents involving policemen are more common in district towns than in state capitals and metropolises. Crime as is known is now an accepted part of our social system, and crime graphs indicate a constant rise. Murders, dacoities, armed robberies and rape are on the increase throughout the country. Criminals adopt new techniques, acquiring sophisticated weapons, while police continue to bank on weapons that are absolete by present standards. Many persons take to crime as a career owing to unemployment and lack of other means of livelihood. Criminals and politicians complement each other. The "dreaded" criminals and musclemen are protected. They constitute the politicians' "striking force", pressed into "service" to eliminate opponents or settle scores with adversaries. Policemen should understand that they are friends and not masters of the people. The causes of the unsatisfactory impression the police make may inter alia include misuse of of powers and inaction/wilful negligence of duties by the police at times; illegal actions like instituting false cases, malicious prosecution of innocent persons, illegal searches and arrested, use of third degree methods; padding up of evidence; minimising offences and non-registration of cases; involvement of certain policemen in blatant crimes; discourteous and arrogant behaviour with citizens; raping women in police custody etc. corruption and nepotism in performance of duties; infliction of brutalities and atrocities on members of the public and particularly on the suspects. Extensive violations of human rights by policemen at times at instance of vested interests. These reasons are not wholly unfounded. It is the honest application of law, impartiality, efficiency that counts with the people. It is, therefore, important that the members of the public and the complainants visiting police stations should be very polite, sympathetically and courteously addressed. Their reports should be correctly recorded and prompt action initiated on them. Police have been given immense powers under the law. It is essential that an effective check and control is exercised on them so that they do not transgress their limits. Misuse of powers and authority, which the police enjoy, make them corrupt. It is necessary that the policemen should be effectively controlled by seniors. Maintenance of cordial relationship between the police and public depends on the latter being able to feel sure that any grievances or complaints they may have against the police will be promptly looked into. As far as possible, the bahaviour of the police has not only to improve, they also have to take suitable, corrective or punitive action within reasonable time. Their action results in tax discipline and lowering of the police image. Generally the officers posted in the field go by the mindset that the complaints are usually false and not much credence to given to them. This view is erroneous and the officers, who transgress the limits of their powers, are likely to create problems for their seniors. It is, therefore, essential that the complaints should not be brushed aside summarily. The supervisory officers should take pains to guide their subordinates and even admonish them, if the complaints are not serious enough to warrant a disciplinary action. In case, the enquiries inot complaints are pursued earnestly and in the right spirit, it would not only satisfy the complaints, but also enable the supervisory officers to know the malpractices of their subordinates. This would enable them to tone up their way of functioning and administration. In the long run, complaints would decrease and there will be an overall reduction of the workload. Junior gazetted officers incharge of the sub-divisions must ensure that no person/suspect is detained unnecessary at the police station and nobody is tortured. Under no circumstances women should be called to the police station. It is prohibited by law. In case any women is arrested, she should be sent immediately to judicial custody after producing her before the magistrate. In case police remand is required to be taken, a senior woman police officer should be in charge of the guard at the lock-up. Superior officers are supposed to set standards of efficiency, impartiality and good conduct. Any effort to whitewash things and save an erring or guilty person would do more harm than good. Suspicion should not be allowed to generate as it would cut at the very roots of the police-public relations. Postings and transfers should be made on merit and not for political convenience. Uncalled transfers not only cause harassment to the officers but also lead to a peculiar prospective. - CNF |
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