Ensure Money donated is not diverted

It looks like sheer incompetency and greed by Government of Kerala led to the floods. Absolute disaster in mismanaging the opening of the dam shutters led to the deluge, and whatever be the diversionary tactics adopted by Pinarayi Vijayan and his team, the public knew what happened and who are to be blamed.

 

The drama enacted by the CPI(M) led Government to mop up as much relief funds in cash as possible, which is certain to be diverted to finance the Fiscal deficit, and to fill Party's coffers is clear to all concerned.

 

The entire Kuttanad went under water, and that too in August, when the paddy fields are ready for harvesting. Kerala faces a bleak rice shortage. Palghat, the rice bowl, also suffered floods. As do many cash crop growers in the high rangers. It is a pity that a 'so called literate Kerala' did not find it worthwhile to insure their Crops with any of the Crop Insurance Schemes. The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bhima Yojana coverage in Kerala is a meager 7%. And this is mainly due to poor implementation by the Government. If you have not insured your crop, when opportunity existed, you should not demand compensation, as if it is your birthright.

 

The same is true for many Middle Class or Upper Middle Class homes. One can understand the poor not insuring their property and valuables, but there should be no excuse for the Middle Class and Upper Middle Class. They have the financial resources to insure, and if they haven't, they should face the consequences.

 

And the Government could have easily created a scheme where the poor can insure their property for a small premium, with Government bearing a portion of the premium.

 

The refrain from the Government and its supporters to those who ask unpleasant questions is that, this is not the time to do so, as the focus should be on rehabilitation and reconstruction.

 

I beg to differ. The floods is already receding from the mind space of those outside Kerala. And in another couple of weeks, no one will be talking about this, as no one does about Chennai floods now. We need to ask pertinent questions and demand answers, here and now. Accountability has to be fixed.

 

We should not allow Pinarayi Vijayan and his team to go scot free, mop up money from well meaning citizens, and allow them to spend without any transparency. I am afraid a good portion of the money sent to CM's relief fund will not be used for relief, but will be diverted, both by Government and party men.

 

What is required is to create a Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Fund, with clear guidelines as to how the proceeds can be utilized. But this is not likely to happen.

 

Modi made his reputation in reconstructing the Kutch area in Gujarat, post the devastating Earth Quake nearly two decades ago. I may sound drastic, but why not think of Sacking the Current Government, implement President's rule, conduct a thorough Enquiry as to the lapses that led to the Floods, set the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction plan in motion, and then, then only, Re-Swear in the LDF Government. You need to get parliamentary ratification only within 6 months. And by then all the work can be executed, and Government re sworn in. This was Kerala benefits from the vast resources available with the Centre, including Army, and normalcy is sure to be restored within months, than years.

 

Any takers?

 

 

Will the Floods help drill some sense in to Kerala Government and Malayalees?

While my heart bleeds for the affected people of Kerala Floods, it is surprising that proper questions are not asked of the Current and Past Governments. It is as if there is a conspiracy to ensure this doesn't happen. A point to note being the deliberate controversy created over the non existent Rs 700 crore aid offer by the UAE Government, which was used to abuse the Central Government and Modi, who went out of their way to offer all the assistance to Kerala.

 

I would like to post some key points here.

 

Now that the flood waters have receded, many are pointing fingers at the Government, who in their wisdom chose to wait till the last moment to open 34 Dams at one go. It is clear that the priority of the Government was to store as much water as possible to generate Electricity at a later date, and save money for the exchequer. One can't fault them. It was an error of judgement, with hindsight. Till the last minute, even experts were commenting on TV that Idukki dam may not have to be opened. We can give the benefit of doubt to the Government here. But the question to be asked is different.

 

"In this era of Computer simulations, did the Kerala Government have multiple simulations as to various scenarios with respect to opening of shutters of various dams and to what happens when shutters are opened partially or fully?"

 

It is clear they did not have this, as the flash floods caught them unawares. The sad fact is that all it required was some foresight and a few lakh rupees to create this simulations, rather than depend on assumptions.

 

Kerala Economy has been dependent on remittances from Overseas for a long time. And due to vested interests, the Government has been lax in collecting tax, especially from Jewellers and many leading businessmen, leading to the State being in perpetual financial crisis for a long time. The Chief  Minister's initial assessment of the loss due to floods was Rs 20,000 crores, though the final figure could be much higher. Despite being a non BIMARU state, and considered to be prosperous for a long time,

 

"Why is it that the Kerala Government do not have Rs 20,000 Crore as a Contingency Fund?"

 

It is almost pathetic to see the Government virtually begging for money from all and sundry. And being ungrateful when someone offers aid to them.

 

This brings me to the next point.

 

I am a Malayalee myself. It pains me to see the attitude of my fellow Malayalees. The so called 'literate' and 'progressive' State has been 'demanding' that every one helps them, and considers it their god given right to be helped. I saw people demanding that Film Stars donate in Crores, and anyone who offered in lakhs were criticized!. By abusing the Central Government and rest of India, which offered all the help, including Interim relief, and offer to reconstruct the state (the NTPC, REC etc have already had a discussion with KSEB to replace all the damaged sub stations and transformers, and Nitin Gadkari has promised to reconstruct all the destroyed roads, just to give examples) Malayalees have shown once again that they cannot overcome their petty prejudices, and even a calamity of this magnitude has not taught them to be humble and behave with humility

 

"When will Malayalees learn to be humble, not feel a sense of entitlement, and respect others?"

 

And,

 

"Will this disaster make us develop plans for being self-reliant in future'?

(Update 03-09-2018 - At last, in Newspapers and TV Channels, people are talking about 'Flood Mapping', which is what I meant when I said 'Computer Simulation'. Though I don't think anything will be done on this front, at least there is awareness now)

A Tainted Legacy

With the demise of Karunanidhi, a Chapter in Tamil Nadu politics comes to an end. DMK has hard core support base in Tamil Nadu, and hence, it was not surprising to see crowds flock to his funeral.

 

Lot of good things have been written about Karunanidhi, as people would when anyone dies. People tend to gloss over a dead mans defect, and over a period of time, the anecdotes get embellished with superlatives, taking the persona of the dead man to a higher plane.

 

It is true that his brand of politics gave a sense of entitlement to many downtrodden people. And no one can grudge them for it.

 

However, this came with a heavy price.

 

DMK and its parent Organization DK, were built on Anti-Brahminism, and this was at its height in late 60's and 70's. The result was the highly educated intelligent Brahmins, who are very adaptive, were forced to move out of Tamil Nadu due to bias, loss of jobs and being hounded day in and day out. This resulted in a Brain Drain, which was never quite filled by the non Brahmins to date. Any leader who willfully ensures diminishing the Human Capital cannot be called a good one by any stretch of imagination. It was quite unnecessary, as there was enough space for Brahmins and non Brahmins to co-exist in Tamil Nadu.  If properly managed, the Non Brahmins would have gained a lot from the knowledge, experience and wisdom of Brahmins. In the absence of proper grooming, those who filled in turned out to be not up to the mark, and this reflected in the development of the State.

 

The anti-hindi agitation led by DMK and Karunanidhi, led to generations of Tamilians having a negative view of learning Hindi, which resulted in them not being in a position to seek jobs outside Tamil Nadu. This gap was beautifully exploited by Malayalis.

 

By highlighting the Dravidian Culture, Karunanidhi tried to create a wedge between Tamilians and other Indians, to the detriment of Tamilians. His support for LTTE, Tamil Ealam, Anti-IPKF stand has led to the current generation getting restive and hyper sensitive. Add to this, his blatant support of the Conversion Mafia, and radical islamists, we have a situation where Tamil Nadu is potentially one of the most dangerous State in India and a threat to National Security. The Church backed agitations, be it Koodankulam, or Sterlite Plant or Jallikkattu all had the tacit backing of DMK, and the people of the State will pay a price for this in the long run.

 

By being opportunistic with respect to alliance at the Centre, Karunanidhi, created a model of politics where ethics and principles didn't matter, and only power mattered. He was also the kingpin of Corruption. He ensured his family amassed wealth. Once he adopted this line, he lost his moral right to preach his followers to not indulge in power seeking politics or to not being corrupt. This attitude percolated down to the lowest party functionary, who made merry at common mans expense.

 

That, unfortunately, was his tainted legacy.

Interesting Characters I met in my life -1

Some interesting characters I met in life.....

When I was working with Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd in Coimbatore, I had a Depot Manager. An Iyengar, by birth, he lived a life that was quiet contrary to how a Brahmin should live. A charming character, he was one of the most corrupt person I have seen in my life, and I have seen quite a few of them. And he had a wife to match his greed for money. The guy was all honey and milk, when he spoke to you. He started his career in erstwhile CALTEX as a Personal Assistant, and his Superiors progressed when the Company became HPCL, and took him with them. He was a Deputy Manager when I joined as a young 24 year old Sales Officer. Though I didn't report to him, I had to work closely with him to ensure free flow of supplies to Petrol Pumps under my control. He had provided everything from money to liquor to women to his erstwhile bosses, and they were already under obligation to him. Most of them had become Senior Managers when I joined. The guy took cut from Corrupt Transport Contractors, Dealers who adulterated, and never missed a chance to make money. He was a fat guy with a big paunch, wearing a very short shirt. He drank like a fish, and was much sought after by Superior Officials who visited Coimbatore, for he took care of all their 'needs'. Since those were the days when mobile phones had not entered the market, and me being a Bachelor, once I leave the house, there was no way my Regional Office in Cochin can reach me. They call the Depot and this guy to enquire about my whereabouts. I would have been in the Depot talking to him just 5 minutes before, and he knew jolly well I was standing outside talking to a Dealer. But when Regional Office call arrived, he would say I don't know where Rajan is 'NOW'. This left an impression in the Regional Office that I am not a team player, and the guy was technically correct in a way. He hated my guts as I was totally non corrupt, and waged a lone battle against corruption in the District. But he was always charming to me, gave lot of advises and more importantly regaled me with stories about the antics of many in the Top Management. Above all, he was a guy who could get anything done with his vast network.

Having worked as a Personal Secretary, he had wonderful command over both spoken and written English, and he used it to good effect. I had an office cum residence, and the Depot situated in the heart of the town was the only HPCL Official location. Disgruntled LPG Customers or Dealers sometime go there to see how I can be contacted. Instead of directing them to me, he will offer them coffee, make them comfortable, and assure to 'help' them, though it was not his job. He would then draft a wonderfully worded complaint addressed to Regional Office which will indict me heavily, get it signed by the Customer, and post it himself to Regional Office. After a while RO caught on to this, as all the complaints from Coimbatore had similar flawless language. He was warned not to interfere, but that didn't deter him in the least

 

He was very calculative. When he was saddled with an Operations Officer who was brutally honest, and who wouldn't support him in his nefarious activities, he manipulated to have him married to his late brothers daughter. But unfortunately for him, the girl was very sweet, and did not allow him to change his honest ways, thus checkmating her Uncle.

 

He used to make people confide in him to understand their troubles, and then help them with money or kind at a difficult situation, thereby making them obliged to him forever. He did this with all his staff, and other Sales Officers, Superiors. When I complained formally against him to my Regional Office, I met with a wall of unhappy faces, who didn't want me to make an issue of it, for they were all under obligation to him.

 

Working with him was fun, but one was always on tenterhooks, as you never knew what he will do to your detriment next.

 

He loved his food and his drink. He ate non veg, but always ended his meal with a small plate of curd rice. He would say "there is nothing like curd rice to satiate one's stomach'

 

But I still have a smile on my face when thinking about him, for he was a real charming guy, who had a terrific sense of humour, and had the rare ability to laugh at himself.