VoteIndia

Breaking the realty-black money nexus

2006-11-08T17:13:00.000+05:30

In the midst of robust growth indicators, one issue which is causing concern is the black economy and the role of real estate in that. Some estimates put this parallel economy between 25 and 50% of the accounted GDP. The negative consequences of such a large parallel economy are all-too-evident.Corruption is both a cause and consequence of unaccounted money.Competition is eroded with tax evasion,

Rehab deal for farmers won't stem suicides!

2006-11-08T17:01:00.000+05:30

The union government's announcement of the Rs.17,000 crore rehabilitation package for farmers in the 31 suicide-prone districts of AP, Karnataka, Kerala and Maharashtra focuses attention on the plight of agricultural sector in a fast-growing economy.Emphasis on irrigation, interest waiver, watershed development, seed replacement and dairy industry is welcome.However, the deeper causes of agrarian

Make the poor more productive

2006-09-05T14:48:00.000+05:30

Dear friends,The impact of economic liberalization on poverty levels in the country has been vigorously debated by economists and politicians over the years.The data seems inconclusive, and scholars often seem to arrive at conclusions suspiciously close to their own ideological proclivities. The broad consensus appears to be that poverty is declining; it is difficult to conclude that the decline

Magnanimity for the millions on the margins?

2006-07-29T15:41:00.000+05:30

The spate of brutal killings of Salva Judem members by Maoists in Chattisgarh and encounter deaths of Maoists in Andhra Pradesh expose the fault lines of our society and polity. These are not acts of violence inspired by extra-territorial terrorist agencies to destabilize our nation. These are the products of anguish, despair and bitterness resulting from decades of misgovernance and an economic

The intelligent way to assuring security

2006-07-29T15:40:00.000+05:30

Once again, cowardly and murderous terrorist groups attacked India's financial capital. Once again, the citizens of Mumbai, in the midst of the shock and grief, have exhibited uncommon courage, resilience and tolerance. As in April 1993, in July 2006, all of India showed how a great nation could transcend prejudice and bigotry, and uphold its liberal, humane traditions.But the hurt and anger

For a better tomorrow,see the big picture

2006-07-05T17:09:00.000+05:30

One of the great challenges in any society is increasing administered prices, or reducing subsidies in a politically palatable manner. All democracies wrestle with the problem of reconciling the clash between the short-term political price a government has to pay for temporarily unpopular decisions, and the long-term social good which results from such decisions.The recent increase in petrol and

Where the economy is being chained

2006-06-27T11:52:00.000+05:30

The redoubtable Economist (June 3rd - 9th, 2006), in a special report on Indian business, asks the provocative question: "Can India fly?".The answer is that it has taken off; but its people could fly much higher without the fetters imposed by poor policies and incompetent government. Most objective observers share this cautious optimism.The policy issues are mired in politics and populism. But

Good intentions and the way to hell

2006-06-27T11:50:00.000+05:30

It is said that the way to hell is paved with good intentions. Well- intentioned, but unwise policies can devastate local economics.The plight of farmers and labourers in Kolleru area of Andhra Pradesh - the low land between Krishna and Godavari deltas - is a striking example of misplaced policies and institutional mistrust causing disproportionate damage to the economy. Three decades ago, there

The risks and rewards of corruption

2006-06-27T11:48:00.000+05:30

The recent CBI raids and allegations of disproportionate assets of a prominent Haryana politician to a tune of Rs. 1500 crore have barely evoked any interest among political pundits and media. There is such cynicism prevailing about politicians, that most people tend to believe the worst about 'them'.But we have to acknowledge that corruption is all-pervasive in our society. The much-talked about

Crossing the Rubicon...Tamil Nadu style

2006-06-27T11:29:00.000+05:30

In a democracy, elections are not merely about choosing representatives and deciding which party should be entrusted with the responsibility for governance. Elections are also about political education and determining priorities for the future. But over the decades, most parties in India have failed to utilize elections as a means of mobilizing public opinion to obtain a mandate for meaningful

Can Merit and Social justice be compatible?

2006-05-01T15:11:00.000+05:30

Dear friends,The recent debate generated by the proposal to reserve 27% seats in Union educational institutions for backward classes has predictably been very shrill and hysterical. Reservation is a classic zero-sum-game issue and polarizes society intensely, as the gains to a social group are matched by losses to another. Prejudice and bitterness in this debate must be overcome by facts and

CRIMINALISATION OF POLITICS

2006-03-17T22:31:00.000+05:30

When a prominent politician and former minister in UP was arrested (in 2003) on charges related to the murder of a lady, he was unabashedly defended by the State’s chief minister. This incident exposed the crisis confronting our criminal justice system as never before. In fact, the accused politician had recently switched loyalties and played a significant role in the formation of the government

A QUICK GUIDE TO

2006-02-13T22:06:00.000+05:30

How the Mixed-Member Proportional Representation (MMPR) system would work 1. 50% of the legislative seats will be filled up by FPTP method, in single member constituencies. The other 50% will be drawn from the Party Lists. 2. You get two votes to cast in your constituency: the Party vote for the

VOTEINDIA LAUNCH

2006-01-29T12:54:00.000+05:30

HYDERABAD 25th January: A seminar on Best Practices in Service Delivery of Local Governments was conducted in collaboration with Konrad Adenauer Foundation and ASCI. The seminar was attended by chair persons of select Municipal Corporations and Municipalities, Commissioners of Municipalities, Civil Society representatives and Government officials. Dr Wolfgang Schuster, Lord Mayor of

Reflections on the Current Political Crisis

2005-12-22T12:37:00.000+05:30

The current spate of sting operations exposing MPs of various parties accepting bribes has made nationwide headlines. To dismiss the problem as one of corruption and to limit our concerns to the MPs caught accepting bribes is taking the escapist’s route, for the issue is much deeper.The whole political system in India is founded on corruption. Crores are spent on elections. Recent estimates

Anti-Corruption Day celebrations held across the state

2005-12-19T16:08:00.000+05:30

Lok Satta chapters of Andhra Pradesh tied up with colleges across the state to celebrate UN Anti-Corruption Day on 9th December. Nearly 1 lakh students participated in the event and pledged to fight against corruption. Over two lakh pamphlets were distributed which contained statistics about the corruption problem as well as promoted the use of the Right to Information Act and Citizen’s charter

A New Beginning

2005-11-16T00:49:00.000+05:30

It is never too late to begin something new. And even though the year 2005 is awaiting the onset of 2006, VoteIndia brings with it a new perspective, a new tool: this blog, to engage all our current partners and encourage others who have been hesitant to voice their thoughts about India and much needed political Reforms.The VoteIndia Campaign blog will contain regular updates on research , events