A wave of unrest is sweeping across Western Uttar Pradesh over the land acquired for the Yamuna Expressway project. Two people were killed in police action and the protests have found an echo in Parliament, whose proceedings were disrupted by agitated Members. The developments could lead to a new phase of political mobilisation in the state against the Mayawati-led BSP government and could eventually stall the controversial infrastructure project.
The state government tried to silence the protests by hiking the compensation but it found only a few takers for the sop. What has complicated the issue is that land was being acquired not just for the road project but also for townships to be built by the private party in charge of constructing the expressway.
This leads one to the larger question of land acquisitions and the scope of the government in developing infrastructure projects. While there is a logic for the government to acquire land to construct roads, the million dollar question is whether it should also facilitate development of townships alongside by private builders.
As a commentator rightly put it, “a skewed understanding of what constitutes public purpose and private interests is at the heart of the problem. Clearly, the state government ought to have focussed on building the road and allowed market forces to transform villages alongside the road into urban centres in an organic manner.”
Recently, a Supreme Court Bench of Justices Aftab Alam and B.S. Chauhan, in a judgment said: “the whole issue of development appears to be so simple, logical and commonsensical. And yet, to millions of Indians, development is a dreadful and hateful word that is aimed at denying them even the source of their sustenance.”
The Bench said “the resistance with which the state's well meaning efforts at development and economic growth are met makes one to think about the reasons for such opposition to the state's endeavours for development. Why is the state's perception and vision of development at such great odds with the people it purports to develop? And why are their rights so dispensable?
Justice Alam said the fears expressed by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in the Constituent Assembly had been confirmed. “A blinkered vision of development, complete apathy towards those who are highly adversely affected by the development process and a cynical unconcern for the enforcement of the laws lead to a situation where the rights and benefits promised and guaranteed under the Constitution hardly ever reach the most marginalised citizens.”
“This is not to say that the relevant laws are perfect and very sympathetic towards the dispossessed. There are various studies that detail the impact of dispossession from their lands on tribal people. On many occasions laws are implemented only partially. The scheme of land acquisition often comes with assurances of schools, hospitals, roads, and employment. The initial promises, however, mostly remain illusory”, the apex court observed.
Way back in April 2007, the Karnataka High Court had stated that the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board was “indiscriminately” acquiring agricultural land in and around Bangalore and Bangalore urban and rural districts and Board officials had thrown all norms to the winds and in some cases, acquired entire villages.
Indeed, according to credible report, the Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor project has become an instrument of land grab in collusion with Government officials, who have even allegedly misled the Supreme Court, suppressed vital records and documents to favour the developer and reportedly submitted forged records to the Supreme Court.
Instead of 20,000 acres as originally conceived, 30,000 acres were notified and the project company Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises Ltd (NICEL) has allegedly registered several hundred acres of notified land around Bangalore through benami transactions in the name of its employees and business associates and the Board has permitted the same.
Instead of about 70% of land coming back to Government under BOOT (Build, own, operate, transfer), records have allegedly been forged to sell more than half the land. Whereas only a fraction of land was required in and around Bangalore for road construction alone, now half the acquisition is in Bangalore itself and the company has been permitted by forged records to sell land it was supposed to return to Government. This includes patta lands given to Dalits and weaker sections and burial grounds of minority communities.
While the courts approved acquisition of only dry and waste land for the project, records were allegedly forged to acquire even agricultural and forest lands.
When the affected farmers protested against the injustice meted out to them, the police brutally caned them. The muscle men of the company also allegedly tortured them.
In its factsheet on SEZs and land acquisitions, the Delhi-based Citizens’ Research Collective makes a comparative study of the Indian and Chinese experiences vis-a-vis SEZs and points out that while mostly coastal wasteland has been given for SEZs in China, in India, it has been mostly fertile cultivated land.
Unlike in China, where the ownership of such zones rests with the state, in India, it lies with the private corporations and yes, despite the highly successful experience of Shenzhen, the Chinese have gone only for seven SEZs so far whereas in India, where SEZs have been largely unsuccessful and faced bloody, bitter resistance, we are going for 400-500 zones, more than the total number in the world.
There are enough reasons to believe that the skewed land acquisition policy has contributed to the growth of the Naxalite movement in the country, which the Forbes magazine recently described as India’s Dirty War.
I wish to conclude by quoting from a document prepared by Mr Vidya Bhushan Rawat, Convenor of the National Land Alliance. He asks, “one does not understand why the Government wants to give thousands of hectares of land which is agricultural land, for non-agricultural purposes. Where are farmers in the entire structure? Where are the Dalits and tribals in the entire structure of SEZ? In fact, shamelessly, the Government documents do not talk of their participation. It talks of job growth but it does not talk of how many thousands of people are uprooted from their homes and culture. If these were easy questions to answer, there would not have been any problems.”
The experiences in Singur, Nandigram, Chhatisgarh,Orissa and Bangalore highlight the need for a progressive land acquisition law that clarifies the role and responsibility of the state, the private sector and the stakeholders, in the matter of land acquisitions. We can afford to ignore this festering wound only at our peril.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Independence Day Musings
After decades of humiliating existence as a tenant (often treated worse than animals), I finally bought a house of my own. To call it a house would be an overstatement as it only had three box like rooms surrounded by four halls, a small courtyard, a dirty toilet and a dilapidated bathroom and of course, a small chamber where the earlier owners used to cook food, which they lovingly called kitchen. The plaster had come out at most places. There were no cupboards, no proper electric wiring and even the sewerage system was in a mess.
Though I paid a premium to even buy this ‘hot’ property in East Delhi, I knew right from day one that I had to spend a good fortune renovating it. Well, renovation would be an understatement as the house in question virtually required to be rebuilt except that the basic structure would not be pulled down as there were three other similarly fragile flats resting on its tender shoulders.
Thus began a long journey, which not only taught me the nitty-gritties of building a house but also of building a nation and life itself. To begin with the local contractor promised me everything under the sun much like our khadi-clad politicians and with every passing day, he made a sharp u-turn on all of those promises.
Then came the architect and engineer to supervise the work as it progressed much like our Vigilance officials or Chief Election Commissioners and much of the guidelines laid down by them were flouted with impunity the way the model code is violated and yes, there were excuses galore with the maximum blame falling at the doorstep of the ‘mistry’ or the mason under whom the labourers work, much akin to the manner in which the bureaucrats are blamed for the acts of commission and omission on the part of the politicians.
But the labourers too were not the poor and innocent ones like those projected in movies such as ‘Do Bigha Zameen’. They have become worldly wise. Like Sarkari babus, they take an hour or more for lunch followed by a light nap. Prod them as much but they have already made up their mind on the quantum of work they had planned for the day. What’s more, they also want their pound of ‘chai-paani’, not to bestow any favour on us but to do their work properly. “Hamara Khyal rakhiye to hum aapka khyal rakhenge” – this after paying whatever the contractor had asked for.
But once you loosen your purse strings, don’t think the job has become easier. Go for a second visit to the site and one will find them not doing the work they were told to do and there is a stock answer, “thekedaar ne bataya nahin” (the contractor has not instructed us). Then, there is a flurry of calls between the Engineer and the contractor and the ‘mistry’ (or is it mystery?). One feels like a pensioner running from pillar to post for his monthly sustenance. But no hearts melt here. You are the milch cow, the Kamadhenu, on whom depends the prosperity of one and all.
Yes, the officials of the Municipal Corporation, the Development Authority, the local police station who have no time to attend to water logged roads, unauthorised constructions and incidents of rampant chain snatching and eve-teasing in your neighbourhood, have all the time at their disposal to get their ‘baksheesh’ for the new home, much like the fixers who try to cut corners in every Government project.
We also have the Pakistans and Chinas in our neighbourhood, who are less concerned about the unrest in their provinces, such as the leaky taps and broken walls but are more bothered about how many windows the new house has, how deep is the column and how would my children play if the courtyard is covered. They are so concerned that they even threaten to call the police.
Again, you are mistaken if you think you have given the money (vote) to the contractor (ruling class) and your worries are over. On the contrary, you have to face the whims and fancies of multiple agencies including plumber, electrician, carpenter, grill maker et al (panchayat, municipality, PWD, state Government).
What’s more, they don’t have qualms even in attempting to grease the palms of the Election Commission or the Vigilance Commission. The architect and engineer are promised a handsome cut for passing the substandard material, much in the manner the Anti Corruption department or the CBI officials are taken care of. Sometimes, even your own employee whom you had entrusted to supervise takes the bait and tries to strike when the iron is hot. Eternal vigilance, indeed, is the price of liberty, as the fence itself is lured to eat the crop. If this ruse fails, then the work on your dream house is delayed endlessly, much like the bridge in your village, the dispensary in your locality. He keeps promising, you keep waiting and mind you, this is private enterprise.
What we lack as a nation is character, honesty and integrity. Let us face it. Ignoring this and indulging in self adulation as an upcoming super power would only be at our own peril. Let us not have delusions and illusions. We have all become the worshippers of mammon. We have become a nation of shirkers who want to make a fast buck somehow, by hook or crook. Let us not hoodwink ourselves by blaming the politicians alone. We all need to introspect.
I am not sure when my house, my dream home, would finally see the light of the day, but I am sure, my dream nation would take a long time to take shape, if we continue on the same path.
Happy Independence Day!
Though I paid a premium to even buy this ‘hot’ property in East Delhi, I knew right from day one that I had to spend a good fortune renovating it. Well, renovation would be an understatement as the house in question virtually required to be rebuilt except that the basic structure would not be pulled down as there were three other similarly fragile flats resting on its tender shoulders.
Thus began a long journey, which not only taught me the nitty-gritties of building a house but also of building a nation and life itself. To begin with the local contractor promised me everything under the sun much like our khadi-clad politicians and with every passing day, he made a sharp u-turn on all of those promises.
Then came the architect and engineer to supervise the work as it progressed much like our Vigilance officials or Chief Election Commissioners and much of the guidelines laid down by them were flouted with impunity the way the model code is violated and yes, there were excuses galore with the maximum blame falling at the doorstep of the ‘mistry’ or the mason under whom the labourers work, much akin to the manner in which the bureaucrats are blamed for the acts of commission and omission on the part of the politicians.
But the labourers too were not the poor and innocent ones like those projected in movies such as ‘Do Bigha Zameen’. They have become worldly wise. Like Sarkari babus, they take an hour or more for lunch followed by a light nap. Prod them as much but they have already made up their mind on the quantum of work they had planned for the day. What’s more, they also want their pound of ‘chai-paani’, not to bestow any favour on us but to do their work properly. “Hamara Khyal rakhiye to hum aapka khyal rakhenge” – this after paying whatever the contractor had asked for.
But once you loosen your purse strings, don’t think the job has become easier. Go for a second visit to the site and one will find them not doing the work they were told to do and there is a stock answer, “thekedaar ne bataya nahin” (the contractor has not instructed us). Then, there is a flurry of calls between the Engineer and the contractor and the ‘mistry’ (or is it mystery?). One feels like a pensioner running from pillar to post for his monthly sustenance. But no hearts melt here. You are the milch cow, the Kamadhenu, on whom depends the prosperity of one and all.
Yes, the officials of the Municipal Corporation, the Development Authority, the local police station who have no time to attend to water logged roads, unauthorised constructions and incidents of rampant chain snatching and eve-teasing in your neighbourhood, have all the time at their disposal to get their ‘baksheesh’ for the new home, much like the fixers who try to cut corners in every Government project.
We also have the Pakistans and Chinas in our neighbourhood, who are less concerned about the unrest in their provinces, such as the leaky taps and broken walls but are more bothered about how many windows the new house has, how deep is the column and how would my children play if the courtyard is covered. They are so concerned that they even threaten to call the police.
Again, you are mistaken if you think you have given the money (vote) to the contractor (ruling class) and your worries are over. On the contrary, you have to face the whims and fancies of multiple agencies including plumber, electrician, carpenter, grill maker et al (panchayat, municipality, PWD, state Government).
What’s more, they don’t have qualms even in attempting to grease the palms of the Election Commission or the Vigilance Commission. The architect and engineer are promised a handsome cut for passing the substandard material, much in the manner the Anti Corruption department or the CBI officials are taken care of. Sometimes, even your own employee whom you had entrusted to supervise takes the bait and tries to strike when the iron is hot. Eternal vigilance, indeed, is the price of liberty, as the fence itself is lured to eat the crop. If this ruse fails, then the work on your dream house is delayed endlessly, much like the bridge in your village, the dispensary in your locality. He keeps promising, you keep waiting and mind you, this is private enterprise.
What we lack as a nation is character, honesty and integrity. Let us face it. Ignoring this and indulging in self adulation as an upcoming super power would only be at our own peril. Let us not have delusions and illusions. We have all become the worshippers of mammon. We have become a nation of shirkers who want to make a fast buck somehow, by hook or crook. Let us not hoodwink ourselves by blaming the politicians alone. We all need to introspect.
I am not sure when my house, my dream home, would finally see the light of the day, but I am sure, my dream nation would take a long time to take shape, if we continue on the same path.
Happy Independence Day!
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Wizard of Needles
Imagine a visually challenged person perfecting the art and science of inserting needles to heal others! Unbelievable but Anil Kumar has proved the skeptics wrong and established his credentials as a wizard of needles – a story which has been beautifully brought before the world by journalist Deepak Parvatiyar in his debut documentary, which was released at the India International Centre recently before a discerning and distinguished audience and the saving grace was that there were no politicians around.
The Wizard of Needles is an inspiring story of how physical disabilities cannot be a deterrent to one's achievements and ambition to serve mankind. “This is a story that can motivate others. Here all characters are real,” said Parvatiyar.
Anil was a five-year-old child when he lost his eyesight due to meningitis. He was hospitalized for two years and his optical nerves had to be removed to save his life. He braved all odds to become an acupuncturist. In 2003, the President of India presented Anil the National Award for his achievements. The Wizard of Needles documents the true story of this indomitable human spirit to achieve the impossible.
“I was inspired to make this documentary as I was swayed by Anil’s zest for life. His life story is very inspiring and I am sure the documentary will inspire people never to lose hope and faith,” Parvatiyar, a journalist with an experience of over 20 years in print and electronic media, said. The Wizard of Needles is Parvatiyar’s maiden directorial venture. In the documentary, he has used his narrative skills blended with excellent Indian classical music that conjures up morning freshness and invokes hope and eternal optimism. His novel use of quotations to underline the importance of a scene is quite innovative. Anil's deep faith in God adds a new dimension to the film that is all about hope and faith. The film has been shot over a period of about two years in Delhi, Kolkata and Bijnor.
May Anil’s life and struggles inspire not only the differently abled but also the so-called normal individuals who are too scared to face the challenges of life and resorts to short cuts including drugs and suicides.
May the tribe of journalists like Deepak Parvatiyar, who are moved by such human interest stories and not craving for sensationalism and instant fame, increase.
Both the Government and the private sector should encourage such noble and innovative endeavours.
The Wizard of Needles is an inspiring story of how physical disabilities cannot be a deterrent to one's achievements and ambition to serve mankind. “This is a story that can motivate others. Here all characters are real,” said Parvatiyar.
Anil was a five-year-old child when he lost his eyesight due to meningitis. He was hospitalized for two years and his optical nerves had to be removed to save his life. He braved all odds to become an acupuncturist. In 2003, the President of India presented Anil the National Award for his achievements. The Wizard of Needles documents the true story of this indomitable human spirit to achieve the impossible.
“I was inspired to make this documentary as I was swayed by Anil’s zest for life. His life story is very inspiring and I am sure the documentary will inspire people never to lose hope and faith,” Parvatiyar, a journalist with an experience of over 20 years in print and electronic media, said. The Wizard of Needles is Parvatiyar’s maiden directorial venture. In the documentary, he has used his narrative skills blended with excellent Indian classical music that conjures up morning freshness and invokes hope and eternal optimism. His novel use of quotations to underline the importance of a scene is quite innovative. Anil's deep faith in God adds a new dimension to the film that is all about hope and faith. The film has been shot over a period of about two years in Delhi, Kolkata and Bijnor.
May Anil’s life and struggles inspire not only the differently abled but also the so-called normal individuals who are too scared to face the challenges of life and resorts to short cuts including drugs and suicides.
May the tribe of journalists like Deepak Parvatiyar, who are moved by such human interest stories and not craving for sensationalism and instant fame, increase.
Both the Government and the private sector should encourage such noble and innovative endeavours.
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