UP (Uttar pradesh) elections 2017: Whats in the progress, lets vote for our caste or religion !!!

So, here's coming the year 2017, with another battle for votes in the most populated state of the country. Before going any further, lets see a few headlines from some media sources about UP elections:

UP elections: Where will the Muslim vote go?

The biggest fight for Muslim votes is between Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). The Congress Party doesn’t have much hope of getting Muslim votes this time... 

* Source: http://www.sify.com/news/up-elections-where-will-the-muslim-vote-go-news-columns-qiznixiifagdi.html

Nothing caste in stone as UP gears up for assembly elections

Soon after Mayawati became Uttar Pradesh chief minister in 1995, her bête noire Mulayam Singh Yadav said, “The Congress has committed a political blunder by propping up a Dalit leader in the state. Now the party has lost Dalit support forever.” He was bang on. Once Dalits discovered Mayawati, they never returned to the Congress, which had by then also lost the support of Muslims

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/nothing-caste-in-stone-as-uttar-pradesh-gears-up-for-elections/story-SePkKmKLC0IBeatwxlyHdL.html

Can Sheila Dikshit Save Congress In The 2017 UP Elections?

It is evident that when it comes to Uttar Pradesh, it’s all about caste.

http://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2016/08/can-sheila-dikshit-save-congress-in-up-elections/

UP elections: BJP to use PM Modi's digital presence to woo voters

The BJP has decided to conquer Uttar Pradesh polls via social media and the associated youth power.

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/uttar-pradesh-election-bjp-social-media/1/749942.html

We have reached the 21st century but a number of things are still moving in the first gear of progress. Mr. Narendra Modi talks a lot about digital india, but the fact remains that the state that defines the future of india due to its HUGE vote bank (almost 15-16% of indian population), is still ruled in the name of caste and religion. And even though the victory of BJP in 2014 was a big surprise in the state of Uttar Pradesh, but here in 2017, its still the caste and the religion that is being played to attract the voters. 

The question is that when will we indians come out of this caste/religion based politics? Will there be a time when we Indians will ever vote for progress of our nation rather than thinking about our caste and religion? And what good is our vote going to do if we vote for our caste or religion? Are we really getting any benifit out of it? Will it not be more benificial if the state and the country as a whole makes the progress?

Of course the things might be changing a little bit but the progress is too slow. The youth we are talking about (for the change) is mostly influenced by their parents, friends and surroundings. They are normally conditioned right from their childhood to believe in their caste and religion and not many are able to break the glass and think more radically. The result is that the progress never happens and we always remain confined within our caste and religion. We never come out and become free citizens or a better humans. 

It is not that any particular party is good or bad. But consider the following statements from MLAs of the state:

• The perks of Kargil were conquered not by Hindu, but Muslim soldiers
• There are 42% Muslims here. If he tries to convert this into Gujarat, then we will chop him
• This election is about voting out the government that protects and gives compensation to those who killed Jats.. It is about badla (revenge) and protecting izzat (honour)

The mentallity of the politicians is clearly reflected in these statements. And Its not about the politicians. Its about the people of the state that makes them give such statements to raise the contraversies, and gain some votes by coming into media's coverage. Are such people going to make the state progress? The most likely answer is a BIG NO!! 

So, its up to us, the common man of india to think not only about us but about our future generations. Do we really want our children and grand children to live in the same old world while the rest of nation progresses in 22nd century? Or do we want a government that can make the state to progress and make a better and safe future for us and our generations to come. The choice is all ours.

AIADMK vows free mobiles, laptops with internet, free electricity in manifesto*

Another election season has come and yet another season to offer lolly-pops (sweet candy) to the voters. The ruling party AIADMK has promised so many freebies to the voters that some people may feel it useless to go to work and demand the state to provide them meals and home and clothes and other luxuries for free. And the freebies are offered in such a manner that even those who will pay for these freebies (indirectly) will feel happy that they are getting everything for free. Assuming that no-corruption takes place in distribution of these freebies (which is highly unlikely), These freebies are being offered by the govt from the state treasury which is the fund of the common man and not meant to be distributed for anyone's political interests and personal benefits. The question is that are these good enough for the citizens to re-elect the ruling party once again and shouldn't these freebies be considered as open bribes to lure the voters?.

Whenever the election approaches in any state or in the country, political parties try to offer various attractive schemes and offers to the voters to attract them towards their party and get maximum possible votes. Offering discounts like subsidies, even though not good for economy, may still be considered as a more logical approach since the things are not totally free of cost. When things start coming for free, they are misused by the beneficiaries. But if the very same person has to pay (at least) a part for enjoying the benefit of that same thing (like electricity), they tend to use it more wisely. 

Every time the elections come, parties (in general) tend to announce the waiver of loans for farmers (a very common happening). This encourages the people to start defaulting willfully and the defaulters also become relaxed that the loans will be waived off the next election season, so why worry about paying the loans. Similar thing happens for pending electricity / water bills. The result is that the honest bill payers feel cheated. Either they continue to be honest while feeling cheated or they also get encouraged to start defaulting on the hope that next time their bills/ loans will also be waived off. But who will pay for those bills/Loans. The money  is going to come from the taxpayers pockets and the money that could have been used to build the roads and other infrastructure has not (indirectly) gone into the pockets of the defaulters who otherwise are criminals (if one doesn't pay bills/loan, they can be challenged in courts and can be punished - thus tag: criminals)

The decision to announce free internet or Rs 500 coupons on pongal etc are nothing more than open bribes. And if that has to be done, better fund it from their party fund. Why are these parties spending the taxpayers' hard earned money for their individual interests. This money was paid as tax so that govt can develop infrastructure, and provide job opportunities to them and their children, and not to use it to gain political power for handful of people. 

Why there is no check on such things which is not only effecting the common man, but also the economy as a whole. Why the common man is made to feel cheated and made to feel helpless when the govt is expected to be "by the people, of the people, for the people." Its time (though unlikely) that we the voters understand this political games and cast our votes to someone who will make our present and our future a better place to live.

* Source: http://www.business-standard.com/article/elections/aiadmk-vows-free-mobiles-laptops-with-internet-free-electricity-in-manifesto-116050501230_1.html

**Disclaimer: The content writer is neither a resident of the state under consideration and neither a supporter nor a critic of any political party. These views are purely based upon the topic under consideration i.e. freebies to voters

Odd-even gone, city doesn't know why air not clear yet (TOI)

New Delhi:

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Is There A Need For Change In Approach? Experts Debate

If these (steps) didn't reduce pollution, what would, asked an exasperated Supreme Court on May 1, a day after the odd-even scheme ended with no apparent fall in air pollution.

The judges listed a series of measures that have been taken over the years apart from the two-phase odd-even. These steps include a ban on registration of diesel vehicles over 2000cc, an environment compensation charge on trucks plying through the city and a CNG requirement for public transport vehicles and taxis.

Supreme Court of India has taken initiative to try and control the rising level of pollution in Delhi. But, from the news article published in "Times of India" it seems that the h'ble judges of supreme court are either too dumb or don't have sufficient advice available to understand the impact of the proposed solutions.

Coming to the main topic (NEWS Headlines: Odd-even gone, city doesn't know why air not clear yet) we need to ask ourselves that are these measures really good enough to curb the pollution level? Not being an expert but from the point of view of a layman, let’s try to understand a few things:

Odd-Even scheme: The traffic density in Delhi and nearby areas has increased manifold s in recent years. But traffic in Delhi still contributes 10-15% of pollution in Delhi ⁽¹⁾. Considering the odd even scheme as implemented in first 2 phases; the pollution level can be dropped by about 50% in ideal case since half the vehicles will only be there on the roads. Now add the exceptions. Two wheelers are exempted which individually cause lower pollution than cars but due to their huge numbers they contribute almost as much of the pollution as cars do. So, half the amount of reduced pollution level can be added back (Thus only 25% reduction ideally) Now we can add the pollution due to exemption to VVIPs, ladies, commercial vehicles etc and the effective reduction in vehicular pollution is only 10-15%. Now the vehicles contribute about 15% to total pollution; means that only about 2% of total pollution is controlled ideally (10-15% reduction of 15% of total pollution caused due to vehicles) Of course these are not exact numbers but it gives a picture about why pollution level has not decreased even after odd-even scheme.

The second step taken by h’ble Supreme Court was to ban the registration of diesel vehicles above 2000cc. Even though the move is appreciated, the question is what will be its impact on air pollution. These cars include a number of luxury cars like AUDI, BMW, Mercedes etc. and few vehicles more commonly used for commercial purpose like Bolero. As per information available (unconfirmed), there are more than 85 Lakh vehicles registered in Delhi as on  31-03-2015 ⁽²⁾; and also that the sale of these vehicles contribute a very low amount to total vehicles sale in Delhi. For example, Maruti Swift alone had an average sales figure of more than 15000 units per month in 2015-16, which is even higher than total vehicular sales affected by this decision to ban some vehicles registration. So, why ban only a few selected vehicles. Secondly the vehicles can be registered by the affluent class in other states and can be used in Delhi as only registration is banned not the sales or their use (as of date). So, why are we crying that pollution level has not come down when we have targeted only the minor contributor to the pollution?

An environment compensation charge on trucks plying through the city: Seriously? Do we really expect it to have any considerable effect on the pollution level? We are not banning them but only taking extra charges to allow them to pollute the air. These vehicles are mostly used for commercial purposes and barring a few, most others will simply pass on these additional charges to the end-users/ consumers who will bear the heat of these charges. How do we actually expect it to have any visible effect on air pollution?

Residents of Delhi may still remember the days when most vehicles used to run on diesel and petrol and no CNG. The pollution level on roads especially was so high that it had become dangerous to venture out on the roads and inhale the polluted air. Then came a decision to convert all the buses/taxis etc to CNG. And the result was a much cleaner Delhi. That kind of change is what is required now. A change in technology, a step forward to move to a better technology is what is required to move ahead. These minor steps taken as an initiative are appreciated but are not going to have any major impact on pollution level in the long run. And it needs a commitment from the citizens of Delhi and those from nearby areas to make the change effective.

Sources:

⁽¹⁾ The first major study was carried out in 2008 by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) with the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI). It identified road dust as the biggest contributor (52.5%) to particulate matter in Delhi’s air, followed by industries (22.1%). The study attributed only 6.6% of particulate emissions to vehicles. For NOx, the study found industries contributed 79% and vehicles 18%; vehicles were the main source for CO and hydrocarbons: 59% and 50% respectively - See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/explained/vehicle-exhaust-dust-what-fouls-the-air-the-most-studies-disagree/#sthash.DOe5ED5K.dpuf

⁽²⁾ The Delhi Statistical Handbook 2014-15, a report by the Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Delhi Government, reveals there are 88.27 lakh registered vehicles in Delhi as on 31 March 2015. Four-wheelers that include cars, jeeps and taxis constitute 32.51% of the total vehicles registered with the Transport Department of Delhi.

Interestingly, two-wheelers far outnumber four-wheelers, making up around 64% (nearly double the number of four-wheelers) of the vehicles plying on Delhi roads.

The protest by "JATS" in Haryana...

Who are the Jats, and what are they demanding? Jats are an agricultural caste group in Haryana, and seven other states in North India, notably Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat. In Haryana, they are the predominant caste, and therefore politically influential.

When did the demand begin? Discontent boiled over after the 1991 Gurnam Singh Commission report included Jats in the Backward Classes category along with seven other groups, and after the Bhajan Lal government withdrew the notification that had been issued for inclusion. Two more Backward Classes Commissions set up in the state excluded the group – in 1995 and 2011. Reservation for Jats was one of the poll promises made by Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who came to power in 2004; he subsequently wrote several letters to the Union government seeking their inclusion of Jats. After an agitation, in April 2011, the government set up the K C Gupta Commission to go into the question once again. In 2012, the commission recommended the inclusion of Jats and four other castes, Jat Sikhs, Ror, Tyagi and Bishnoi, in the category Special Backward Classes (SBC). The Hooda government accepted the report and 10% quota was granted, but this was later set aside by the Supreme Court.

What are the legal issues involved in granting reservation to Jats? What is the policy in neighboring states? On March 17, 2015, the Supreme Court quashed the UPA government’s decision to extend the OBC quota in central government jobs to Jats, refusing to accept that Jats were a backward community. Consequently, the reservation introduced for Jats in Haryana and eight other states — Gujarat, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Bharatpur and Dholpur districts of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand — was set aside. In April 2015, the NDA government filed a review petition in the Supreme Court against the March 17 verdict.

Where do the Jats stand in Haryana’s political hierarchy? Since being carved out of Punjab in 1966, Haryana state has had 10 chief ministers, and seven have been Jats. Jats comprise 27% of the electorate, and are the state’s predominant caste group, who dominate a third of the 90 Assembly constituencies in the state. The leaders of the two main opposition political parties — Bhupinder Singh Hooda of the Congress and Abhay Singh Chautala of the Indian National Lok Dal — are Jats. Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar represents the Punjabi community, and belongs to the Khattar caste.

What has this agitation, which is turning into violent protests lead to?

• More than 700 trains have been diverted/cancelled due to this stir
• Himachal Roadways had suspended all bus services on routes passing through Haryana in view of the Jat agitation
• Thousands of trucks carrying essential supplies and goods were stranded in the affected districts as highways and roads were blocked.
• Delhi government has ordered all private and govt schools in the capital to remain closed on Monday in the wake of water crisis due to Jat quota protests in Haryana
• Chaos reigned in Haryana on Saturday with escalated violence in several areas as hooligans, who have joined ranks of Jat protestors, ran amok, setting afire government and private property and vehicles, blocking roads and highways, disrupting trains and uprooting tracks and indulging in looting Protesters burnt cars, police jeeps and trucks, blocked traffic, tried to torch properties of state finance minister Captain Abhimanyu and BJP MLA Manish Kumar Grover and also wrecked the Agro Mall building in Rohtak district, according to reports
• Ticket counter of Basai Railway Station in Haryana set on fire by Jat reservation agitators on Sunday morning (21-02-2016)
• Five persons were killed and 20 others were injured in separate incidents in the city today. Two persons were killed and 20 others were injured when an unruly mob attacked residents of Chhawani Mohalla here. The attackers set several houses on fire in the colony and also damaged many houses in the Beri Gate locality
• Haryana has suffered a loss of around Rs 20,000 crore on account of burning and destroying of public and private property due to one going Jat stir, said industry body Assocham

Now, the question is what have we got?

• Loss of Thousands of Crores of public & private property
• Life of more than 10 persons
• Inconvenience to thousands of passengers
• Loss of studies for Delhi school students (even if it is for one day only)

Now not being rude or unsympathetic towards the jat community, but do they really believe that their demands are worth this much loss (and may be more if we account for past and possible future happenings.) Are we so scared to compete with others that we need reservation for ourselves. Yes, it hurts when someone gets a job with 50-55% marks and we lag behind even with 80% marks. But, we are competing with the best (those who have got above 80) while they (in reserved category) are competing with the mediocre. And the reservation is only in govt jobs, not private ones (so far). Why the hell are we scared to work in a private company, when we want our children to go in private schools and get the best treatment in private hospitals?

 Yes, it is a fair demand that reservation shall not be available to anyone based on caste etc. (it violates the right to equality). But have we become so weak and broken that we are ready to be called backwards rather than compete from the front?

And even if nothing above is acceptable, still what is violence going to fetch us? If we burn a railway station, we only will complain later that our area doesn’t have a proper railway station. Damaging the public & private properties is not in the interest of anyone. Blocking the water supply (water is a basic necessity) is not at all justifiable by any means. Hurting someone that leads to someone’s death is not at all justifiable. Not for a demand to downgrade ourselves at least (Yes, being included in the backward class means we are getting downgraded in the so called caste system)

So, it’s a humble request that even if we want to stage protests for any demand from the govt. it shall be peaceful and constructive rather than destroying our nation’s property. 

1st Anniversary of AAP govt...

So, Finally Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) did actually complete its one year at Delhi's legislative assembly with almost all seats occupied by their MLAs. During this tenure of 1 year, AAP had gained a few supporters while losing a few. But the question is what has AAM AADMI (the citizens of Delhi and not the AAP MLAs and party workers) gained. 

Since AAP had got a majority (67 of 70) seats which shows that the citizens of Delhi had put their faith in AAP, it would be better to point out their claimed achievements and visible good work/efforts first. Talking of the claims, like any other political party, AAP has a BIG LIST of its presumed achievements (Source: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/live-arvind-kejriwals-government-completes-one-year-in-delhi/1/595512.html):

• One of our poll promises was to subsidies electricity bills.
• Pending water bills till November 30, 2015 will be waived off. 
• We are hopeful to win the case in Supreme Court and electricity prices will further come down after CAG audit.
• The basic infrastructure in our education institutions needs to be improved.
• Now we are investing Rs 10,000 crores only for education.
• There will be mohalla clinics in each locality. Free x-ray, surgery and medicines will be available free of charge at all government hospitals.
• We will not allow quota admissions in Delhi schools.
• The government will inaugurate 20 Aam Aadmi polyclinics. 
• The basic infrastructure in our education institutions needs to be improved and Deputy CM Manish Sisodia is working on it.
• Now we are investing Rs 10,000 crores only for education.
• 8000 new classroom in government schools till july 2016, 45 new schools are being constructed.
• 100 new schools will be built this year.
• We want our government hospitals better than the private ones.
• One of our poll promises was to subsidies electricity bills. Today only two states in India have cheaper electricity than Delhi.
• Pending water bills till November 30, 2015 will be waived off. For A and B categories - 25 per cent, C - 50 per cent, and D - 75 per cent. of pending water bills till November 30, 2015 will be waived off.
• We are hopeful to win the case in Supreme Court and electricity prices will further come down after CAG audit. 
• We stand firm on our commitment for cheap water. We have been working on this. 
• Electricity and water bills are in complete disarray.
• I am disappointed that some people are still using water tankers because it's free.
• Delhi Jal Board(DJB) revenue increased Rs 176 crores after giving 20,000 litre water free.
• Areas where pipeline has reached won't get water tankers.

 Now the question comes that:

• Pending water bills till November 30, 2015 will be waived off (AAP) 

Is AAP setting a good example by supporting the defaulters who don't pay due amount to the govt. This waiver means additional burden of Delhi's limited income sources (which include tax-payer's money). Why an honest tax-payer is being punished in favor of a defaulter citizen, who needs to be punished (in the form of fine/legal actions etc) Such a step will only encourage the existing defaulters to continue non-payment of bills and even encourage others to go for non-payments. All just for the sake of votes? Where's the benefit to the society as a whole in such a politically motivated step?

• We will not allow quota admissions in Delhi schools.

This can be highly debatable issue. While those who were expecting to reap benefits of such quota will oppose this, but the question is that is this really a bad move. This is something that may be in the good interests of the society. All shall have equal opportunity to study in the best educational institutes (if they can afford the fees). Why shall a educational trust have discretion over whom to permit in their school. After all, schools are not meant to be business, do they? How can a school decide that the child of a vegetarian parents will be more suitable for their institute or that a govt employee's child shall be preferred. Such arbitrary criteria set by various schools are clearly against the right to equality, aren't they?

• 100 new schools will be built this year.

100 new schools in one year they say. A good thought at the first look. But the need is not only the quantity of education, but quality of education. The conditions of most govt. schools is well known to all. Hardly any minister/IAS/businessman/upper-middle class citizen even thinks of sending their children to govt. schools. WHY? the answer in one word is: QUALITY. And adding even 100 new private schools is hardly going to be of much help, if quality of our basic education is not improved. And secondly, it is well known fact that a school can't be constructed in a day or two. Have the approvals been initiated by the govt. Are the lands for these schools identified / allocated to concerned trusts for infrastructure development. Simply saying that 100 schools will be built won't help anyone.

• One of our poll promises was to subsidies electricity bills.

The govt's initiative to audit the accounts of distribution companies is a welcome step. Why these DISCOMS are against the audit? What are they hiding that they are afraid to reveal. And if such an audit leads to decision that can bring down electricity costs and hence the power tariff (without subsidies), it shall only be welcomed by common man and citizens of Delhi.

So, like any person or an organization, AAP has got certain plus and some minus. This post had only taken into consideration the promises of AAP govt and their implications. AAP has formed a govt in the state in its first attempt itself and got a clear majority in second attempt itself. But they need to realize that the treasury of govt is not for someone to use for their own political gains. It is meant for social development works and subsidies in any form (except to poor man) is only going to hammer the growth of the state in the longer run. Still certain bold and positive initiatives have been taken by AAP, which if implemented can really bring a change in otherwise boring and corrupt politics and society.

* The views expressed here are based on personal experience, and are based on what can be seen and heard of while residing in NCR. These are not meant to hurt anyone's sentiments and feelings.