Being led by the `hand’

May 7, 2007 on 4:12 pm | In The Hindu, News - English | 1 Comment

Even as the old guard settles into a familiar routine, first-timers to the Congress plenary are gung-ho about the whole affair, find out M. RAJEEV and RAVI REDDY

PHOTOS: SATISH. H

THE ORDER CHANGETH CWC member Vayalar Ravi attends to a phone call while Nizamabad MP Madhu Yaskhi flanked by Sandeep Dixit, son of Delhi CM, Sheila Dixit and Deepender Singh Hooda, son of Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda, wait for him to finish

The veterans have been there done that and been there again and again. They have gone through the whole political rigmarole of speeches, rhetoric, sabre rattling, declarations and the works. To the seniors, the 82nd AICC plenary might be little more than a flashback unfolding yet again at Gachibowli - calling for no more than jaded smiles and clich‚d responses.

But the winds of change are sweeping across, pretty apparent in the excitement of the young breed of MPs and legislators who are first-timers to this apex meet. This bunch of youngsters are looking at the plenary as a “huge learning ground”. At the first opportunity, the group members break into upbeat conversations narrating their experiences in the Parliament and also the “excitement” they feel in participating in the highest forum of the party here. “We are confi- dent of living up to people’s expectations,” they say. With Nizamabad MP Madhu Goud Yaskhi as the coordinator, this young group were seen humbly introducing themselves to seniors and veterans arriving in the city besides interacting with them on various issues.

The young MPs are keyed up about the plenary as it sets tone for the future course of action in the form of resolutions on different issues. “The The veterans have been there done that and been there again and again. They have gone through the whole political rigmarole of speeches, rhetoric, sabre rattling, declarations and the works. To the seniors, the 82nd AICC plenary might be little more than a flashback unfolding yet again at Gachibowli - calling for no more than jaded smiles and clich‚d responses. But the winds of change are sweeping across, pretty apparent in the excitement of the young breed of MPs and legislators who are first-timers to this apex meet. This bunch of youngsters are looking at the plenary as a “huge learning ground”. At the first opportunity, the group members break into upbeat conversations narrating their experiences in the Parliament and also the “excitement” they feel in participating in the highest foentire Congress family will be together and this is the best place to better understand the party’s ideology on various issues,” says Sandeep Dixit, son of Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit.

For them, this session is all about focussing on the renewed thrust being given to agriculture and rural development, setting a new trend. “It is a historic moment to be among eminent people and learn from their experiences. The session should also serve as a platform for injecting new hope in the party’s leadership,” says Guna MP Jyotiraditya Scindia, son of late Madhavrao Scindia. The youngsters come from different professional backgrounds, many of them well-versed with the latest in corporate jargon vis…- vis management principles. But unlike professional institutions, politics and governance appears to be more process driven rather than project driven. Take the case of first-time MP Deepender Singh Hooda, an MBA from Kelley School of Business and son of Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda.

This youngster, who worked abroad for more than four years, declares that management techniques in governance are different from the professional sphere. “We define processes rather than setting deadlines for completion of tasks,” he says.

Corporates benefit from taxpayer but shy of social duties

May 7, 2007 on 4:09 pm | In News - English | 2 Comments

New Delhi, May 1 : Madhu Goud Yaskhi, often dubbed an ‘NRI MP’ as he left a flourishing law practice in New York to enter parliament, has criticised corporates for enjoying “all kinds of benefits from taxpayers’ money” while shying away from extending even basic facilities to poorer sections of society.

Pointing out that the much talked about GDP growth was restricted only to a few major cities, Yaskhi, Congress MP from Andhra Pradesh’s Nizamabad, said: “We are seeing 9.2 percent GDP growth and only fewer sections of these industrial houses are going all over the globe and purchasing companies.

“But what is their responsibility in terms of India? What are they doing in education and health sectors?” he asked while participating in a discussion on the Finance Bill Monday.

Referring to Infosys chief mentor N.R. Narayana Murthy’s objections against reservations for other backward classes (OBCs) in higher educational institutions, Yaskhi said: “They need reservation when it comes to land purchasing. They (Infosys management) requested the Andhra Pradesh government to give 500 acres of land for developing as their latest campus. The current market rate of the land is Rs.100 billion, but they wanted it for Rs.800 million.”

Yaskhi, who worked in the United States for 15 years and gave up American citizenship before contesting the Lok Sabha elections, said an average US household spends about $150 monthly for poor people. “When one of the richest person in the country - Sunil Bharati Mittal of Bharati Communication, who bought a telecom giant recently, was asked about (Microsoft CEO) Bill Gates’ contribution of $300 millions to AIDS project in India, he said he was too young to retire.

“This is the response of the corporate sector, which claim all kinds of benefits,” he said.

The MP also questioned tax benefits to the IT sector as it contributes only five percent growth rate. He said the government should focus more on the manufacturing sector, which creates employment.

Yaskhi also urged the government to ensure the effective implementation of the welfare schemes it had introduced for the poor and the weaker sections. Quoting the government reports he said. “According to the reports of December 2006, only 13 departments have spent just 40 percent of the allocated money.”

“Out of the Rs.25.25 trillion money allotted, only Rs. 13.64 trillion has been spent in nine months,” he said. “This is a wastage of taxpayer’s money.”

Sourc: IANS

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