PDP and BJP, two parties with largest number of seats in the Legislative Assembly, took quite some time to debate with seriousness the conditions that would form the basis for their alliance as ruling partners. Called Common Minimum Programme, it forms the basis for the coalition Government.
Coalition Governments have become part of our democratic system and the days of any one political party obtaining landslide majority seems a remote possibility except in fringe cases. The people of this country, therefore, have to put up with the coalition culture. If the partners are seriously interested in the development of the country and the states that form the Union, then coalition system is definitely a great testing event for both. It tests the patience and shrewdness with which they will carry forward the affairs of the state.
About PDP-BJP coalition in J&K State, there are some unique specifications not normally seen elsewhere in the country. In ideological terms, the two parties stand at opposite poles. There is no previous history of relationship or interaction between the two parties. Moreover, it is coalition between a regional and a national party, the latter being in power at the centre.
The main areas in which two parties hang on to conflicting perceptions are broadly (a) dynamics of response to militancy, (b) status of ‘disturbed areas’ and AFSPA, (c) Indo-Pak bilateral talks, (d) repatriation of militants (e) return and rehabilitation of internally displaced Kashmiri Pandits in the valley. However, in the areas of development of the State, building of infrastructure, employment opportunities of youth, expansion of education, health care and public services, eradication of corruption and introduction of good governance, and strengthening of democratic and secular structure of the State etc. there are no differences. Rather there is more than expected synchronization between the two sides in these areas.
Evidently, CMP addresses these concerns. Now that the coalition Government is in place, the next step is to bring out covert and overt potential of the alliance and translate it from theory to practice. This will put the two sides on a test whether they are capable of handling the situations deftly and steering the state safely to destination points. Leaving aside for a while the convolution of political dispute over J&K between India and Pakistan, what makes the two ideologically dissonant sides to converge on common minimum programme is their deep interest in restoration of peace and tranquility in the State and ushering in an era of all round development of three regions of the State. This is a new experience indeed.
A heavy task awaits the coalition Government. The right methodology of addressing the tasks is first to have clear and unambiguous concept of what to do and how to do. It indirectly means to shun angularities and postures adopted during past decades when there were only demands and no responsibilities. Now that responsibility rests squarely on the shoulders of the coalition, they have to be realistic. The dynamics of futuristic vision will necessitate synchronizing new thinking and new approach.
The meeting that Chief Minister Mufti Sayeed recently had with the Union Home Minister and the Prime Minister and the comments that have appeared in the press about these parleys, have to be seen through the prism of coalition paradigms stated above. From what has trickled down in the print media, one can deduce great political maturity and astute diplomacy guiding the process of making decisions at highest levels. Prime Minister’s commitment of meeting the requirements of the State as projected by the Chief Minister is a proof of his eagerness to uphold the sanctity of CMP.
Union Government knows well that Mufti Sayeed is shouldering difficult responsibilities of providing good governance to the State. He has to fight at not one but many fronts at home. The Centre has to provide him space, incentive and road map to move forward along the path of reconciliation and reconstruction in the State. He has short term and long-term obligations and he is to be provided with wherewithal to meet these without grudge. His commitment to the Union Home Minister that he would identify land for composite resettlement of displaced Kashmiri Pandits has met with strong and sharp reaction from the opposition not only in the State Assembly but in the Parliament also. The opposition to the idea explodes the bottom of the falsehood and canard floated by certain quarters for last two decades that it was “sympathetic to the case of the migrants”. This is by way of example to show the thorn-strewn path along which Mufti Sayeed will have to walk while leading the State to an era of development and prosperity. Actually, the alliance has great potential and leadership will need courage and perseverance to utilize it to the full.
Utilizing alliance potential
PNB MetLife forays into health insurance segment
MUMBAI, Apr 9: Private insurer PNB MetLife India Insurance today announced its foray into health segment with the launch of MetLife Major Illness Premium Back Cover.
The plan returns all the premiums paid in case there is no claim from the policy holder during the policy term and upon survival, PNB MetLife said in a statement.
The plan also provides the policy holder with a lump sum amount on diagnoses of any critical illness covered by the policy, so that the family has adequate funds to meet the unplanned medical expenses, it added.
“MetLife Major Illness Premium Back Cover is the only product in the market which returns all the premiums paid at the end of the policy term in case of no claim and provides cover against 35 critical illnesses,” PNB MetLife Managing Director and CEO Tarun Chugh said.
The claim process is simpler without the involvement of a third party administrator, he said, adding that the plan would help a family cover unplanned medical expenses over and above the hospitalisation cost.
The plan provides coverage against 35 critical illnesses, return of premium on maturity in case of survival and no claim made during the policy term, guaranteed lump sum payout in case diagnosis of any of the critical illnesses and term of 10 years with an entry age of 18-55 years. (PTI)
Predatory air fares need to be regulated: Minister
NEW DELHI, Apr 9: There is a need for regulating “predatory” air fares instead of having a total pricing control, Union Minister Mahesh Sharma said today.
He asserted however that a final decision on this issue can be taken only after wider discussions.
Sharma’s comments come against the backdrop of many carriers resorting to steep discount on tickets to stimulate demand in the face of stiff competition.
The Minister of State for Civil Aviation said the situation is different in each country when it comes to pricing of air fares.
“We understand that the predatory price (of air fares) at lower end or higher end should have some regulation. This is my individual opinion but this is subject to discussion and a Cabinet decision has to be taken on this issue,” Sharma told reporters here.
When asked whether any initial discussion on the issue has started, Sharma replied in the affirmative.
“In principle, I feel there should be some regulation on the prices at both ends. Of course we will not totally regulate prices but some regulation has to be there,” he said.
Sharma said the matter needs to be discussed with stakeholders and others before a decision is arrived at.
He was speaking on the sidelines of a function related to GMR Aviation Academy.
Last month, Sharma had told the Rajya Sabha that air fares are not fixed by the government and are determined by the airlines “based on interplay of market forces”.
Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has a tariff monitoring unit in place that monitors air fares on certain routes selected on random basis to ensure carriers do not charge outside the range declared by them.
On a query related to charges being levied at the Delhi international airport, Sharma said: “We understand that airport charges are slightly on the higher end in our country. We will try to address these issues within the framework of our agreements and other situations.”
Recently, the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) proposed a 78.4 per cent reduction in airport charges at the Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport.
Emphasising the need for working towards a “win-win situation”, Sharma said measures would be taken at the right time in the wider interest of the industry by taking into account future potential of revenue generation and employment generation.
“At present, I cannot comment on whether the charges will be reduced or not reduced. We will like to address the issue as it has been brought to our knowledge,” the minister said.
About developing more airports on Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode, Sharma said that in such projects, the government would ensure “that the relationship is maintained in the right spirit and manner”.
“We have to have a win win situation for the government as well as the stakeholders and other partners,” he noted.
The Civil Aviation Ministry has initiated the process for undertaking operation, management and development of Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Jaipur airports through PPP mode.
However, there are concerns about possible privatisation of airports even though the ministry has been maintaining that there is no proposal for airports’ privatisation.
Regarding changes in the existing 5/20 policy for domestic carriers, Sharma said discussions are going on and the proposal would go to the Cabinet.
Under 5/20 norms, only those domestic airlines having operations for at least five years and a fleet of 20 aircraft are allowed to fly abroad.
Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Rajiv Pratap Rudy said the aviation sector would require about one million people skilled people in the next five years.
Sharma and Rudy were participating in the function on conferment of Regional Training Centre of Excellence stature to GMR Aviation Academy by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). (PTI)
Aurobindo gets USFDA nod for Atracurium Besylate injections
NEW DELHI, Apr 9: Drug major Aurobindo Pharma has received final approval from the US health regulator to manufacture and market Atracurium Besylate injections in the American market.
“The company has received final approval from the US Food & Drug Administration (USFDA) to manufacture and market Atracurium Besylate injections, 10 mg/mL, 5 mL single-dose vials and 10 mg/mL, 10 mL multi-dose vials,” Aurobindo Pharma said in a statement.
The approved abbreviated new drug applications (ANDAs) are generic versions of Eurohealth International Sarl’s Atracurium Besylate injections, it added.
The injections are “indicated as an adjunct to general anaesthesia, to facilitate endotracheal intubation and to provide skeletal muscle relaxation during surgery or mechanical ventilation,” Aurobindo Pharma said.
At present, the company has 11 ANDAs approved out of its Unit IV formulation facility in Hyderabad, manufacturing general injectable products, it added. (PTI)
India to soon finalise Doha round work programme
NEW DELHI, Apr 9: India will soon finalise its work programme which will be discussed as part of the long-pending agenda of Doha round of talks at the next WTO meet in Nairobi in December, a Commerce Ministry official said today.
“We are working to finalise the work programme for the Doha round by the end of July. My most of the attention is on market access issues. I hope we will have some reform of rules as well on the agenda for the next WTO ministerial meeting,” said Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce, J S Deepak.
He was speaking at the inauguration of 2-day International Conference on Trade Remedy Measures, organised by the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT).
After notching up a major victory on food security last year at the World Trade Organisation (WTO), India wants to push for the long-pending Doha agenda.
The Doha round of negotiations, launched in 2001, has been virtually stalled since July 2008. It collapsed due to differences between the rich and the developing nations, including India, mainly at the level of protection for farmers in developing countries and duty cut on industrial goods.
There are a number of pending issues under the Doha round, which India would like to bring to the table in Nairobi. It includes issues related to agriculture (export subsidies, cotton and fishery subsidies), intellectual property rights, market access and services.
The rich nations are asking for a significant reduction in industrial good tariffs and further strengthening of patent laws. India also wants to resolve issues of the least developed countries (LDCs).
Talking about trade remedial measures such as anti-dumping duty, Deepak said that with the slowdown in global economy, dumping of goods will not only continue, but also grow.
“We are one of the largest users of anti-dumping instruments, but I do not see any conflict in this because if the instrument is properly used, there is no way it leads to protectionism,” he said. (PTI)
Lakhvi’s release “erodes” value of Pak assurances on terror: India
NEW DELHI:
In a sharp reaction to Mumbai terror attack mastermind Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi’s release order by a Pakistani court today, India said this “eroded” the value of assurances repeatedly conveyed to it by Pakistan on cross- border terrorism.
External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said “our concerns on this issue have been made known to the Government of Pakistan in the past. These shall be reiterated.
“The fact is that known terrorists not being effectively prosecuted constitutes a real security threat for India and the world. This also erodes the value of assurances repeatedly conveyed to us with regard to cross-border terrorism.”
India’s reaction came after the Lahore High Court suspended the detention of 55-year-old Lakhvi under Maintenance of Public Order as the Government there failed to present sensitive records against him in the court.
The judge ordered Lakhvi to submit two surety bonds worth Rs 1 million each for his release.
Earlier, the Home Ministry termed the development as “extremely disappointing” and asked Pakistan to immediately ensure that he does not come out of jail.
“This is an extremely disappointing development. Pakistan must ensure that terrorists like Lakhvi do not come out of jail,” a senior Home Ministry official said. (AGENCIES)
Kashmiri separatists have no right to say where Pandits will live: Togadia
NEW DELHI:
Separatists have no right to tell where Kashmiri Pandits should live in Jammu and Kashmir, VHP today said asking the Centre and State Governments to come out with a time-bound plan to rehabilitate them and ensure their safety.
Reacting strongly to threats by separatists on rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits in Kashmir, international working president of VHP Pravin Togadia also sought immediate arrest of all separatists who opposed the rehabilitation of Pandits and be tried on charges of treason.
“Since 1947 and then again since 1980, Kashmiri Pandits and Sikhs have been brutally killed and hounded by separatists. The brutality, the attacks on their families and snatching of their shops/land are still fresh in the memory of Bharat.
“…..Separatists….Have no right to tell Bharat where Kashmiri Pandits and Sikhs should stay, live and do business,” he said in a statement.
Togadia said pro-Pakistan elements have no right to poke their nose in the matter and demanded that protection of every Hindu in J&K should be ensured, along with their human rights.
“The Union Government and J&K Government should now come up with a specific and time-bound plan to not just rehabilitate Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley but also ensure total safety of their lives, properties and business,” he said.
He said three generations have lost everything in the Valley and since 1990 over 4 lakh Pandits are forced to live like refugees in their own country. (AGENCIES)
Farooq Abdullah returns home
SRINAGAR:
Opposition National Conference president and former chief minister Farooq Abdullah today returned home, five months after he underwent organ transplant in the United Kingdom.
“The party president returned to Kashmir today. He is still recuperating but his health is improving,” National Conference spokesperson Junaid Azim Mattu said.
Mattu said Abdullah spend over two weeks in Delhi before returning home here.
Abdullah underwent organ transplant surgery in the United Kingdom in December last year. His absence in the campaign for assembly elections held late last year was seen as one of the reasons for National Conference’s defeat, which saw party getting the least number of seats in the assembly since its inception nearly seven decades ago. (AGENCIES)
JK tops in terror financing cases; Rs 2.93 cr seized in 9 yrs
NEW DELHI:
The highest number of 80 cases relating to alleged terror financing have been registered in Jammu and Kashmir involving 190 accused and seizure of Rs 2.93 crore was effected by security agencies in the last nine years.
Besides it, a total of 41 such cases were registered in north eastern states of Manipur (26), Meghalaya (nine), Assam (five) and Tripura (one), according to Home Ministry data.
About Rs 3.33 crore allegedly meant for terror financing were seized in these cases registered between 2006 and 2015, it said.
National Investigating Agency (NIA) seized Rs 3.66 crore proceeds meant for terror financing while probing 11 cases involving 101 accuseed during the period, the data said.
A total of 213 cases of alleged terror financing were registered by NIA and 15 other state police forces involving 873 accused. About Rs 14.85 crore have been seized in these cases, it said.
21 cases of alleged terror financing were registered in the national capital, 16 in Punjab, 14 in Karnataka, 11 in Odisha and nine in Maharashtra. About Rs 3.19 crore was seized from these states, the data said.
Three each such cases were reported in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, two in Tamil Nadu and one each in Bihar and Kerala. About Rs 1.71 crore was seized from these states, it said.
Of the total of 213 cases, 101 are under trial and 81 of them are under the investigation. Trial has been completed in 31 cases, the data said. (AGENCIES)
Pak court suspends Lakhvi’s detention, orders his release
LAHORE/NEW DELHI:
A Pakistani court today set free Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi, the 2008 Mumbai attack mastermind and LeT operations commander, suspending the Punjab Government’s detention order against him under a public security act, drawing India’s ire.
Justice Muhammad Anwarul Haq of Lahore High Court suspended the detention of 55-year-old Lakhvi under Maintenance of Public Order after the Government failed to present sensitive records against him in the court.
The judge ordered Lakhvi to submit two surety bonds worth Rs 1 million each for his release.
“The law officer had submitted important information about Lakhvi, but the court did not accept this and declared the evidence unsatisfactory,” an official of LHC said.
Justice Muhammad Anwarul Haq on the last hearing on April 7 had directed the Government’s counsel to submit record of secret documents about activities of Lakhvi today.
Lakhvi had challenged the March 14 order of Punjab Government’s District Coordination Officer, Okara to detain him for 30 days.
Reacting to the development, India said it was an “extremely disappointing development” and asked Islamabad to immediately ensure that he does not come out of jail.
“This is an extremely disappointing development. Pakistan must ensure that terrorists like Lakhvi do not come out of jail,” a senior Home Ministry official said.
“Pakistan should immediately take all legal measures at appropriate forum to ensure that justice is delivered to the victims of Mumbai terror attack,” the official said. (AGENCIES)