Man who rose from the 'heart of darkness' in naxal affected region of Jharkhand and became Minister in Modi Government

A simple Sobre politician from Jharkhand with no godfather in Lutyens' Delhi, became Minister in Modi-I government. As a child in Naxal affected areas, his only aim was to earn his bread and butter. That time Even in his dreams he had never thought that one day he would become Minister in the Union cabinet.  Today He is a member of Parliament and working for the upliftment of tribals in his state. My Last year Interview.

The hallmark of Sudarshan Bhagat, Minister of State for Tribal Affairs in Modi Government, is his simplicity and honesty. Born and brought up in the remotest areas of Naxal affected Tangardih in Jharkhand, Sudarshan Bhagat reached to this level with his dedication and hard work. He is probably one of the few politicians in the Modi Government who despite having no Political God Father entered into the higher echelons of Lutyens’ Delhi. Entering Parliament or becoming a Minister was not even in his dream when he used to walk miles to his school. His political career started after he joined student politics and became a state Joint Secretary of ABVP and actively associated himself with Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram for the upliftment of tribals in Jharkhand. Later he jumped into the movement for a separate Jharkhand state.

In 2000, he was elected as MLA in Jharkhand assembly and became the youngest Minister in the Babulal Marandi government. In 2009 he was first elected in the 15^th Lok Sabha and then in 2014. He was picked up as Minister of State for Social Justice and empowerment, Rural Development, and then Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. In 2017 he was given the portfolio of Minister of State for Tribal Affairs. Sudarshan Bhagat spoke to Vijay Thakur, Special Representative, the Statesman, on what government has done for the upliftment of tribals and the government's roadmap to bring them into the national mainstream. Excerpts:

BY Vijay Thakur, Special Representative, The Statesman, vijaythakurx@gmail.com 

Question:

Tribal areas have been neglected in the country for a long. Development work hardly reached them since independence when we compare it with Urban areas. What Modi government has done to bring them to the national mainstream?

ANSWER:

It would not be right to say that not much has been done to tribal areas by the previous government. Every government has tried to do its best. However, It is also a fact that all that had been done was not suffice. The major boost to Tribal sector came in Atal Bihar Vajpayee’s government when he made a Separate Ministry for Tribal Affairs. It proved to be a game-changer, a concerted thrust was given to tribals since then.

Ever since Modi government came into power it ensured special emphasis was laid to Tribal areas. The budget of the Ministry increased from Rs 3832 crores in 2014-15 to Rs 6,000 crore in 2018-19. Similarly budget by various Union Ministries for SC and ST has increased from Rs 19,437 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 37,802.94 in 2018-19—a straight away increase of 94 %.

Besides the government has also ensured that the money allotted to tribal areas reaches to its beneficiaries, inculcate a sense of pride among tribals and bring them into the mainstream.

QUESTION:

There is a huge gap in literacy rate when we compare it with the general public. What government has proposed to bridge these gaps?

ANSWER:

There is no denying the fact that education level in the tribal areas is not satisfactory and a lot needs to be done in this sector. Considering these facts, the government has stressed on quality education and skill development programmes in tribal areas.

Mere giving them education is not enough. What our government believes is they should be given quality education to make them employable in the private sectors as well as develop their skills. The idea is they could get jobs in industries or could start their own small business.

And the results from government started residential Ekalavya Model Residential Schools speaks for themselves, in 2017-18, passing the rate was 90% out of which 53 % students passed it in the first division. Similarly in 12 standards, the passing rate was 81 %, out of which 61 % passed out in first division.

Seeing its success, the government is planning to increase 462 more residential schools in tribal areas by 2022. Making its strength of 681 schools from the present strength of 219 model schools for tribal people.

 

Question:

The health situation is equally bad in tribal areas. the mortality rate and malnutrition rate is very high among the tribal community.

Answer:

The health situation in tribal areas is a cause of serious concern. Small small diseases, which can be can be easily prevented like Anemia is very prevalent among tribals. Secondly, we have to accept the fact that unlike urban areas or areas near urban cities, tribal areas being remote and hilly are not easily accessible, therefore ensuring medical facility has been a challenge.

Government is working on two ways, first educating tribal people mainly women on the importance of hygiene and health, trying to shed their superstitious beliefs, and make them available essential medical healthcare and nutritious meals. Once it is implemented totally, half the problem would be over.

Then it comes to give quality health care to tribal people. Government through various schemes is trying to make available quality health care within their reach. Efforts are being made to expedite the issue.

 

Question:

 

Not much has been done for the economic development of the tribal community in the country as a result they remained neglected. What government has done to empower them socially and economically?

 

Answer:

It is a fact that no community can grow until they are empowered socially and economically. Government is targeting to uplift them economically and socially and bring in the mainstream. That is one reason why our Prime Minister Narendra Modi started Skill Development Program (PMKVY—Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojna) was introduced to develop skills. Tribal people would be benefited a lot through this, the government would give them skill training, and through micro-financing help them set up a business. Government is also promoting Self-help Groups in tribal areas mainly run by women groups so as they could learn to manage their small businesses. Priority is given to tribal entrepreneurs in subsidized central sponsored business loans.

Other than inculcating entrepreneurship among tribals, the government has introduced Minimum Support Price for Minor Forest Produce on the line of MSP of agriculture produce. It was started in 2013-14 with 10 minor forest produce (MFP), and today 49 forest produce has been added into MFP. Tribal Co-operative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) has been asked to keep a close watch on the market price of MFP and recommend the introduction of new items from time to time. The move would help tribal people to get the best price of their forest produce. TRIFED is also developing infrastructure for storage and marketing of forest produce. Union Government is giving central assistance for developing marketing and storage capacity in tribal areas.

In nutshell, the Modi government has a three-pronged strategy to assist tribals… first to give them quality education and skill training, improve their health, and then assist them in becoming entrepreneurs by giving easy and affordable priority loans.

 

QUESTION:

What else you think needs more to be done for tribals:

 

ANSWER:

 

We believe the tribal community has a great role in nation-building and national integration. Unfortunately, this aspect has not much highlighted. Our government has taken up a special initiative to highlight the contribution of Tribal Heros in nation-building, we are building museums of Tribal Heros and their heritage so as they have a sense of pride and other people could also come to know the contribution of tribal community in national building. Then comes their traditional art and handicrafts, this is unique in many ways. Once promoted and highlighted thoroughly, the world would recognize and appreciate Indian tribal culture and art. An economically empowered educated tribal certainly would lead India to new heights.

 

Ends.

Solar Sector to help fight Covid-19 in under developed countries: International Solar Alliance Director General

International Solar Alliance to use Solar Services in the health sector of underdeveloped countries 

BY Vijay Thakur, Special Representative, The Statesman, vijaythakurx@gmail.com

About Him

Director-General International Solar Alliance Upendra Tripathy is the one officer who played a leading role in increasing India’s solar energy target five folds from 20,000 Mega Watt to 1,00,000 Mwatt—the highest increase in target in any sector for five years. As a Secretary in the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Upendra Tripathi changed the image of Indian Renewable Energy sector and attracted Global attention.

He was a key player in the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s team which pitched for International Solar Alliance—a coalition of solar-resource-rich countries to address their special energy needs. A retired IAS officer of Karnataka Cadre, is the first Director-General of the Alliance and has prepared a detailed roadmap to collectively address key common challenges and to scale up solar energy applications in line with their needs. His main target is to mobilize investments of more than USD 1000 Billion by 2030 with a mission “Every home no matter how far, will have a light at home”.

Tripathy served in the government for over 36 years. Before his stint at the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, he has also served as Adviser in the Indian Embassy in Belgium, Luxembourg and at the European Union in Brussels. He was also Additional Secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat. He did his Masters from Jawahar Lal University and from the Carleton University, Ottawa. For his public administration work, he received the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration in the individual category for 2009. Upendra Tripathy spoke to Vijay Thakur, the Special Representative, the Statesman, on the global solar energy sector after COVID pandemic. Excerpts:

Q & A

Question:

Solar Energy Sector was growing at the fastest pace during the past four years. The Covid-19 crisis changed the entire world. It appears to have badly affected the solar sector as well. What you think would be the impact of Corona pandemic on the global Solar industry and India in particular?

Answer:

You are absolutely right. An unknown and unseen virus has paralyzed and humbled mankind. But we will overcome this and life will return to normal. Solar is a part of the same social energy fabric. The same economic laws and forces of demand and supply apply to this sector also.

Because of Corona pandemic, there is a sharp decline in power demand, which makes utilities to force shut down of even solar plants and parks. In fact, the infirm power sector shares an unequal burden and is more vulnerable. This is true for India as well as ISA member countries.

Then there is an impact on solar plants where the work is in progress. Lockdown has created an acute shortage of manpower on the ground. Then the lack of transportation had also resulted in the disruption of the supply chain. Further, the decline in the price of petroleum products may also partially affect where firms, institutions or entrepreneurs used solar heating in place of heating by petroleum products.

In nutshell, Corona has affected all factors of production – land, labour, capital, and technology in all affected countries, including India, albeit to different extents. 

Question:

International Solar Alliance had set up a certain roadmap with targets for global solar applications for 2030. In the wake of ongoing Corona crisis, do you intend to make any change in your strategy so as meet its 2030 target?

Answer:

The main aim of the ISA is “One Sun, One World, One Grid” and give opportunities for ISA member countries for solar energy trading and sharing across regions. Our roadmap for 2030 is to build 10 Gega Watt Solar Mini-grids, 50 GWatt of solar parks with 24x7 energy storage, one billion solar home lighting systems and 150 GWatt of Solar rooftops, one billion solar hybrid cook stoves, 50,000 solar health care centres, one billion solar street lights and and 15 million solar pumping sets. This cannot be done without training the workforce, we are targeting to train 5,000 Master trainers in Solar energy set up 100 R & D facilities.

 

Corona has definitely affected many things. We have to postpone our technology Missions for the time being. We all are working from home. At this time it is very difficult to assess the actual loss or COVID 19 effect. The pandemic is not yet over and we are praying for the best. Having said that, I still maintain it is too early to say that Corona will indeed force us to reboot our roadmap for the next ten years.

Question:

In the context of Covid-19, you have taken a new ISA-CARE initiative, something on the lines of PM CARE what exactly is this?

 

Answer:

ISA CARE initiative is about solarisation of primary health centres in member countries to provide storage of sensitive vaccines including the one for Corona. In the least Developed Counties (LDC) and in Small-Island Developing States (SIDS) where there is no reliable grid, solar power would enhance access to high-quality essential health care services. These centres can be used to preserve and distribute medicine required for Covid-19 patients and also for Covid-19 vaccines as and when these are in the market. Solarization of healthcare facilities in these countries will provide dual benefits of reliable healthcare systems as well as energy security to member countries.

The ISA will aid, and upgrade the existing essential health care services of LDCs and SIDs by solarization of hospitals, pharmaceutical units, laboratory facilities and any other necessary infrastructure such as Research divisions. ISA shall mobilize necessary funding of around USD 8 million for ISA CARES INITIATIVE through crowd funding from individuals, corporates, foundations and countries. The ISA will reach out to its existing corporate partners and potential partners for mobilizing funds.

Question:

India had taken a lead in forming the International Solar Alliance (ISA). What you think how ISA would help India as a whole and Indian solar industry in particular. And what benefits does India get from the location of ISA HQ in India?

Answer:

India is the host country of International Solar Alliances. So it was a matter of pleasure and pride that member countries unanimously agreed to locate the Headquarters of ISA in India without any competitive bidding. India gets a place of pride in the world community.

ISA can help Indian solar industry in several ways mainly by creating new markets by aggregating and creating demand for solar goods and services outside India which the Indian industry can compete to cater. It will also bring them into a global network where they can exchange views and learn new challenges and take them to countries which are traditionally non-English speaking. Around 50 % of our members are non-English speaking, it would create a platform for India to increase its global influence.

Question:

Why there are still many countries mainly China, USA , Germany and  South Africa, who have not yet become the members of ISA?

Answer:

This is a very interesting question. We had 121 “within tropics” countries in the beginning of ISA. Out of those 121 countries, 86 countries have signed the framework agreement. However, China, South Africa and the USA  are three important countries who are not yet our members. We are waiting to welcome them as and when they decide to become our members. However, Germany is very much interested to become a member but that needs our first amendment of the opening of borders to all UN member countries has to first be accepted by 30 Countries. 26 Countries have already done so. Once four more countries do so, many countries from outside the tropics will come forward to join.

 

Question:

Presently almost all global players are dependent on China for solar cells and its ancillaries, which are required for the solar industry. What should be the strategy to stop the dominance of the Chinese Solar Industry? Can ISA help the world in this regards?

Answer:

China has the advantage of mass production and has been responsible for substantial cost-cutting in PV prices globally. Although a decentralised system of manufacturing may reduce logistical costs of transportation, it remains to be seen how competitive it could be vis a vis Chinese methods and systems. The cost will be an important factor in the global market. We wish ISA initiative, a solar revolution in the country and PM’s call for ‘self-reliance’ (Atamnirbhar) would show some path to the Indian solar industry.

Ends.

Centre told states to prepare itself for possible successive Locust Attack in July and August

Centre has asked states to use Disaster Relief Funds to contain Locust

BY Vijay Thakur, Special Representative, The Statesman, vijaythakurx@gmail.com

In view of the warning from the United Nations which said India is likely to face several successive waves of Locust invasions until July in Rajasthan, Which would subsequently move to other states, Centre has put all states on alert and told them to use 25 % of State Disaster Response Fund to tackle the expected Locust attack in the fiscal year 2020-21.

In its advisory, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations has warned that the locust swarm would actually start hitting India in July when the locust would start breeding in the desert areas along with Indo-Pak areas and then invade neighbouring states of Rajasthan and Gujarat.

The second-generation locust swarm would move eastward across northern India and may go as far as Bihar and Orissa followed by westward movements and a return to Rajasthan on the changing winds associated with the monsoon, the United Nations told Indian. 

The FAO, however, maintained that these movements would cease once swarms begin to breed and were less likely to reach South India, Nepal, and Bangladesh.

Presently the locust swarms are moving from the spring breeding areas of South West Baluchistan to summer breeding areas along with the Indo-Pakistan desert areas mainly from the Cholistan to Tharparkar.

“The ongoing swarm attack in the neighbouring states of Rajasthan and Gujarat was because of strong westerly winds from cyclone Amphan in the Bay of Bengal. The strong winds brought Spring-bred immature adult groups and swarms, which otherwise could have been limited to Indo-Pak desert belt,” said a senior officer of the Agriculture Ministry said.

Centre has written to all Chief Secretaries and instructed them to prepare for the Locust attack, hire water tankers, vehicles and tractors with spray equipment for spraying of plant protection chemical for pest control, purchase plant protection chemicals for locust control.

It told them that the total expenditure incurred on these items should not exceed 25 % of SDRF allocation of the year. Centre further instructed states to streamline the inter-state movement facility for personnel engaged in the locust control works.

Union Agriculture Secretary Sanjay Agarwal has also convened a video conference with all states and Union Territories and informed about the latest status and control of locust attack, and possible attacks until July.

The Desert Locust situation continues to be extremely serious in Ethopia, Somalia, Kenya and part of Sudan, Yamen, Oman, Saudi Arabia, parts of Iran and Pakistan. Though Locust attack is very common in Africa and Middle East countries and part of Pakistan, this year experts are expecting massive breeding in Indo-Pak desert areas. “Coming two months are going to be very crucial and the problem has to be controlled before main Khariff crop sowing begins,” the officer said. (THE STORY APPEARED IN THE STATESMAN ON MAY 30).

Ends.

INDIA PAKISTAN JOINTLY FIGHTING LOCUST TERROR

Notwithstanding the fact that India and Pakistan are fighting over Kashmir, they are fighting jointly in districts along Indo-Pak Border touching Rajashtan and Sindh to get rid of ‘Tiddi (Locust)-terror’—worst in the past 26 years.

Tiddis, who have entered into Pakistan in March-April from Iran and Saudi Arabia have attacked Balochistan, Sindh and parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat. While Indian Army based in Pokhran has also come in the support of Locust Warning Organisation (LWO-India), which comes under Directorate of Plant Protection and Quarantine and storage (DPP) in Agriculture Ministry, Pakistan Army helping LWO-Pakistan to quarantine areas of Sindh and Balochistan.

Both LWO-India and LWO-Pakistan officials have met in June and July to discuss a combined strategy to quarantine Locusts that has spread in over 1.5 lakh hectares of land in India and Pakistan—perhaps worst in the past 26 years.

Tiddis (Locust), a short-horn grasshopper, can travel long distances in large numbers and destroy the crop that comes in its way. They basically originate from Africa, enters the Middle East mainly Iran and Saudi Arabia, and then finally Pakistan and India.

Tiddi-terror has been so vast and strong that it has plagues since pre-history and has was mentioned in the Bible and the Quran and ancient Egyptians carved them on their tombs. During the past two centuries, Tiddi-terror devastated crops and was a contributory cause of famines and human migrations, said K L Gurjar, the Deputy Director, DPP in the Agriculture Ministry.

“Terror-attack of this magnitude was last seen 26 years ago 1992-93. Though they have been entering India through Pakistan almost every year the numbers were very insignificant and were controlled in Jaisalmer region only,” he said.

Only second-generation swarms enter India, and Pokhran firing range is their favourite breeding ground. They lay eggs near Khetolai village in Pokhran, near the Pokhran-II nuclear blast site. But they are not harmful as they have lived their age and do not eat much, the problem starts with the newly fertilized Tiddis, they eat a lot and are larger in number and destroy whatever comes in their way, Gurjar said.

In Pokhran firing range, the army has stopped firing practice and are helping LWO-India to destroy the second generation Tiddis from spreading, he said. More than 42 vehicle-mounted sprayers are being used in Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Barmer, Jalore, and Bikaner to quarantine Locusts in Rajasthan, he said. A few more are operational in Gujarat Border as well, he added.

So far India has controlled and quarantined 52,571 hectares of land in Rajasthan. Every day one Mounted vehicle is quarantining 125 to 150 hectares of land, which means LWO has the capacity to clear more than 5000 hectares of land on a daily basis, he said.

On Pakistan side, though Locust attack is more spread and intense, it has reportedly controlled only 39,000 hectares till our last Indo-Pak LWO meeting in July at Khokrapar in Pakistan, he said. We would come to know of their latest controlled area on August 21—when Indo-Pak LWO would meet at Mumabao in India.

Tiddi-Terror in India and Pakistan is reportedly spread in over 1.5 lakh square kilometres ---almost ten times the size of Kashmir valley and can affect over 20 million farmers in Balochistan, Sindh, Rajasthan, Gujarat and part of Punjab. Yet this is just tip of the iceberg when we see its spread in Africa and Middle East countries—in Iran alone it has spread in seven lakh hectares of land and 3.5 hectares of land in Saudi Arabia---details of Oman, Aman, Turkey is yet to be counted, he added.

Ends.       

--

Vijay Thakur

INDIA COULD NOT AVAIL BENEFIT OF OIL DROP DURING LOCKDOWN

INDIA COULD NOT AVAIL BENEFIT OF OIL DROP DURING LOCKDOWN

BY Vijay Thakur, Special Representative, The Statesman, vijaythakurx@gmail.com 

With WTI (West Texas Intermediate) crude oil price crashing to negative in the International market, little is going to change in the domestic price of petrol and petrol barring a marginal reduction of a rupee one or two, feels oil expert.

The WTI crude oil price fell to its historic low on its monthly closing on Monday from USD 10 a barrel to negative of around USD 36 a barrel. It is for the first time in the world history that crude oil, which had once touched USD 145 a barrel in 2008, was sold at a negative price, which means you get nearly USD 36 to buy one barrel of WTI crude oil.

In another word, a buyer does not need to pay anything for buyer crude oil, but in return, he would get USD 36 (nearly Rs 2700) for purchasing a barrel (159 litres) of crude oil. This all was because future traders sold heavily on the monthly closing as there was no storage space at the key delivery points in the US.

The demand and supply gap of WTI crude oils have increased at unimaginable label due to “stay at home orders’ in most US states. And the future traders in the US market, who have no storage space to keep the crude sold at a negative price to avoid any additional expenses of keeping it. “In other words, storage of crude oil has become costlier than its price and they the future traders sold it at negative during monthly closure on April 20,” said a senior officer of an Oil Marketing Company requesting anonymity.

Having said all that, WTI crude oil going negative during the monthly closure, would make little impact on Indian petrol and diesel price, he said. “In the international market we have three main Benchmark crude oil, WTI crude oil, Brent blend, OPEC, and Dubai crude, and Indian refineries are not designed to use WTI crude oil,” he said.

India’s entire crude basket represents oil from Oman, Dubai and Brent, and not WTI. The WTI is mostly relevant for the US, Canada and Mexican markets, he said.

And the price of Brent crude, however, has only seen a fall of about five per cent, and was still hovering around USD 27 a barrel and was not as cheap as WTI, the officer pointed out.

But even if India were to buy WTI crude, it would not have helped it as there was hardly any capacity left to store the oil. Though Modi government has increased the strategic oil reserves capacity to 15 Million Metric Tonnes, it had already stored most of its capacity, the officer said.

“Thirdly and most importantly, our domestic petrol and diesel requirement has seen a steep decrease due to lockdown. Even the Union government has not passed on the major portion of the benefit due to recent decline in crude oil prices and preferred to increase taxes on it apparently help centre and state governments in generating revenues,” he said.

Last month, Centre had increased duties on petrol and diesel by Rs 3 a litre. It also has Parliament’s approval to raise it further by Rs 8 a litre. Besides it has also notified an increase of Rs 1 litre on road and infrastructure cess collected as additional excise duty and a Rs 2 per litre increase in special excise duty.

Meet an IITian IPS officer during whose tenure property worth Rs 36,000 crore were seized by the ED

The IITian IPS officer who energized the ED and did what was not an as easy task as it appeared at a first Glance. 

BY Vijay Thakur, Special Representative, The Statesman, vijaythakurx@gmail.com

The name of former Enforcement Director Karnal Singh, IPS officer of 1984 batch is not new among the top brass of intelligence agencies who are probing cases internal security, terror financing, and financial irregularities. He first shot into fame when as a DCP Crime Delhi Police, he solved a series of multiple blasts which rocked the capital around 1995. His scientific style of investigations received appreciations not only from IB, Military intelligence and RAW, but also from international intelligence agencies including CIA, which acknowledged his tech-Intel gathering SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) devised by him for tracking three or four 4 exact telephone numbers from over 15 million telephone calls made to Bangladesh and Pakistan from within the one-kilometre radius of over a dozen Blast sites. Some of his Tech-Intel SOPs were even used by US intelligence agencies in 9/11 terror attack investigations. When he was heading Crime and Special Branch of Delhi Police, he neutralized several terror modules in and around Delhi.

Karnal Singh Headed Enforcement Directorate and exposed a series of terror financing and money laundering cases. During his tenure, ED handled high profile cases including the 2G scam, the coal scam, the National Herald case, the Vijay Mallya scam, the Hassan Ali scam, the Aircel-Maxis and INX Media case involving former UPA finance minister P Chidambaram and his son, Karti Chidambaram, the PNB scam involving diamantaires Nirav Modi and his uncle, Mehul Choksi, cases involving NCP leader Chaggan Bhujbal, cases involving meat exporter Moin Qureshi, the Sterling-Biotech fraud and the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam.

In three years his team seized property to the tune of Rs 36,000 crore—highest ever seizure by ED in such a short tenure since the inception of ED and enactment of FEMA and PLMA. Karnal Singh spoke to Vijay Thakur, the Special Representative, the Statesman on the functioning of ED, the problem faced by it and why it appeared to have become super active during the past few years.

Q and A 

Question:

Enforcement Directorate has never been so active as it had become after you joined ED. It has been hitting headlines every now and then for the past six years. Why EC has become so important investigating agency vis-a-vis other premier investigating agency of the country.

Answer:

If you go into the background of the Enforcement Directorate, it goes back to even prior to independence. During the second world war, there was lots of corruption in the purchases. It led to the formation of CBI and implementation of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act 1947. It was then that ED was created as a small unit under RBI to deal with the foreign with foreign exchange violations. In 1999 FERA was repealed and FEMA (foreign Exchange Management Act) came into the offing. Because after 1991 economic reforms foreign exchange conditions in India improved substantially and Regulations were changed into Management. The difference was that prior to 1999 ED had the power to arrest people, FERA was a criminal offence, while FEMA was a civil offence.

Again in 2005,   Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) was promulgated, and the ED was made the sole agency to implement it. The PMLA has given a lot of power to ED including attaching the properties of proceeds of crime and arresting the accused persons. There were now a large number of cases which the ED could take up. So the influx of cases you see in the news was more because seizure and arrested started taking places only after the law was made more stringent.

Question:

What was the problem ED was facing? And why after you joined the ED became hyperactive. What you did to transform the Directorate?

 

Answer:

Though the Act came into being in 2005, the Directorate was not able to take it up with full force due to the acute shortage of manpower. Out of the sanctioned strength of 2000 staff, the existing strength was only 700 in 2015 when I took over. We realized if the ED has to improve working, the only way was to increase qualified manpower and this cannot be done overnight. We sent a proposal to the government to give more incentive to people joining ED on deputation from Customs, Income Tax, and various Police Organisations. Once the proposal was approved, we started getting qualified manpower on deputation..within three years the staff strength increased by 40 %, and it showed the desired results.

Secondly, we started training ED staff on the latest high tech electronic evidence collections, its analysis and revised SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures). Further, a boot course was started to upgrade their skills and on how to present their case before the courts with proper facts and figures. We must remember that in ED you are dealing with those who have high-level connections, can afford the best of the best battery of lawyers in the courts. Because of the rigorous training to ED staff and attractive benefits, ED Investigating officer was able to handle a high profile case like Neerav Modi, Vijay Malaya, etc. And it reflected in the seizure, arrest and conviction of the cases. We were able to attach property worth Rs 36,000 crore during my tenure, which was the highest ever.

We also approached High Courts requesting it to device a mechanism to expedite the trial of PMLA cases. I personally visited along with my officials interacted with 10 judicial academies. When I joined ED not even a single case of PMLA was decided, but now more than 10 cases have been decided. We hope more and more decisions would come in the coming months that would help in improving the image of the Directorate.

One more thing we introduced in ED, we set up six in-house forensic lab to examine electronic documents. Earlier we used to rely on CBI CFSL labs, which sometimes used to take as long as three years give the report. With the facility of the inhouse forensic lab, we can examine any electronic documents within hours and get a report in 24 hours. This not only collected evidence faster but also helped in the interrogation of the accused persons.

 

Question

Did it really reflect on its performance?

Answer:

Statistics itself speaks of the improved performance. Second is public perception. People are now recognizing and appreciating the proactive action taken by the Directorate. During the past five years, the agency has moved forward in many cases pending for a long time. For example Augusta Westland, which case was pending for a long period but we took quick actions, in Vijay Malya cases property worth 13,500 crores was attached, in Neerav Modi case, immediately the property to the tune of Rs 5,000 crore was attached immediately. Sterling biotech cases property worth Rs 5,000 was attached. Besides the ED has also started taking action against terror finance cases including the naxal cases of the central India and Jehadi terrorism.

Question:

ED has also been attacked for alleged political interference. Accused people claimed that they were victimized by the party in power because of the political connections of the accused persons. Is it that ED gets political directions.

Answer:

It is very easy to accuse an investigating agency because we are a disciplined force and do not revert to these accusations. Earlier certain high profile criminals or those who were involved in corrupt practices thought that they would never be caught. It is a fact that they have high connections and can afford to hire the best legal brains of the country.

Now when they were caught and confronted with electronic documents, they are finding it difficult to defend themselves. Their only defence is to make allegations against the agencies and play a victim card and accuse that all is done at the behest of ‘SOMEBODY’. But actually, it is their Karma which they are facing now.

Question:

Since ED is investigating very high profile cases and accused are well connected politically as well financially. It is very easy to make allegations against investigating officers and tarnish their image. Do you think the officers who are handling sensitive cases need to have some kind of protection to have freedom of investigations to give qualitative results?

Answer:

It is a very difficult question. We have democracy, we have the freedom to speak. And people can make any allegations against anybody. Laws of defamation are not very stringent and not very strong and takes a lot of time to get the decision. And a government servant avoids going to court for one reason or the other. Some kind of protection may come in the act itself. Saying that no allegations can be made against the investigating officers and should be made liable if the allegations are found to be untrue. Officers who are handling such difficult cases require support from their seniors, and ED needs to stand with them in case false allegations. And if the allegations are true then certainly stringent actions must be taken to the Investigating Officers to prevent such acts.

Ends.

USE COVID CRISIS TO PUSH FOOD PROCESSING, THE FORMER AGRICULTURE SECRETARY MOHAN KANDA

USE COVID CRISIS TO PUSH FOOD PROCESSING, THE FORMER AGRICULTURE SECRETARY MOHAN KANDA

BY Vijay Thakur, Special Representative, The Statesman, vijaythakurx@gmail.com

From a government Banker to a top bureaucrat in the Agriculture Ministry, Dr Mohan Kanda (IAS officer of 1968 batch) has served Government of India for over four decades. He was one of the few officers who worked as Chief Secretary in the state in two different political regimes, and later became the Agriculture Secretary in the Union Government. Later he was also appointed as a member of the National Disaster Management Authority where he closely monitored relief and rehabilitation work after the 2004 tsunami in Andaman and Nicobar, the Kosi floods in Bihar in 2008 and the Kurnool and Mahboobnagar floods in Andhra Pradesh in 2009.

Interestingly, Dr Kanda started his career as a child artist in 1962—well 16 years before he joined Civil services. He entered Tollywood (Tamil movies) as a child actor, where he was known as ‘Master Mohan’.

Though he was a doctorate in Mathematics from Osmania University, his area of interest and expertise revolves around Agriculture, the rural sector, and Disaster Management. He has also authored several books including “The Tinctured Canvas” (Concept, Practice and Strategies in Rural Development), “Vasundhara” (An Anthology of Land Resources in India), “Forgiving Earth” (The Dynamics of Policy Support Reforms for the Millennium Farmer in the Asia Pacific Region) and “Not by Others’ Hands” – An Anthology of a Century of Credit Cooperatives in India (A tribute to the Cooperative Movement in the International Year of Cooperation 2012). In an interview with VIJAY THAKUR, Special Representative, The Statesman, Dr Kanda spoke on how to deal with the problems faced by farmers in the wake of Covid-19 crisis. Excerpts:

Question:

Covid-19 crisis has been worsening day by day. We do not know where it would stop. Coming to the agriculture sector, how much you think this sector would be affected?

Answer:

Though no agriculture sector has been left untouched, horticulture and poultry sectors were the worst affected. The vegetables and fruits are highly perishable. Any delay in marketing or selling these perishable products would lead to wastage and loss to farmers. Neither you can put all kind of vegetables and fruits in cold storage nor is it economical to do so. Unfortunately, over the years we have failed to develop the required infrastructure for the processing of vegetables and fruits in our country. This could have a prolonged shelf life of fruits and vegetables.

In the wake of Covid-19 crisis, the Government should take immediate emergency measures to prepare a seamless marketing network for selling highly perishable fruits and vegetables. It is really heartening to see poor helpless farmers abandoning their produce on the road for want of buyers.

Even if the government has to procure perishable vegetables and sell it through retail PDS shops, it may do it in association with the help of various NGOs. Something similar to what Mother Dairy is doing in Delhi and some organizations are doing in South Indian cities.

Question:

What about the poultry industry. The poultry prices have gone down like anything and the poultry farmers have to suffer heavy losses?

Answer:

There was fake propaganda against poultry products and some anti-social elements have spread rumours that poultry products could cause Coronavirus. Government and NECC (National Egg Coordination Committee) must come forward and expose the fake propaganda. People should know there is no danger in eating poultry products. Eggs and chicken are very important to meet the protein requirements of our countrymen. If such false propaganda continues, I am afraid poultry farmers would be forced to shut down their businesses.

Question:

Other than procuring vegetables and fruits and selling it directly through PDS, what immediate solution you offer to help farmers. And what should be the long term strategy of the government to help farmers from such eventualities.

Answer.

We all know that Corona and its effect would continue to hit the agriculture sector for the coming one year at least. And this is the right time for the centre and state governments to prepare a long term strategy to promote our much-ignored food processing industry. Packaging and processing of food items should be given a status of essential services so as farmers could do the processing and value addition to their vegetable and fruits produce.

If possible, dedicated freight corridors should be developed for perishable food items to have its seamless transportation to maintain its freshness. Since the agriculture sector is already a priority sector for the government, I do not think the government would have any problem.

As regards the transportation of farmer’s perishable produce, a system should be made in such a way that a farmer could transport his produce using his aadhar card to avoid any harassment by the authorities by police and other authorities.

Question:

What about Covid-19 impact on the Rabi and Kharif crops, which is the main backbone for the country’s foods security. It would not only have economical loss but would also affect our food security? What, you think the government should do to protect the interest of farmers in wake of COVID-19?

 

Answer:

I must say we are very lucky. We need not worry about our food security; we have ample food grains, sufficient pulses and reasonable oilseeds in our stock and can even export it to earn foreign exchange. Another good news has come from the Indian Meteorological Department, which has forecasted good Monsoon for this year. The availability of fertilizer and its off-take vis-a-vis last year is encouraging.

Having said this there are certain problems which would come up due to Covid-19. First and foremost is the movement of agriculture labourers. The farmers of Punjab, Haryana and in Southern states should have agriculture labourers during harvesting and sowing season. The labourers are mostly from UP and Bihar, It is for the government to ensure that they are available when they are required the most. It must have a detailed plan for the safe movement of labourers during harvesting and sowing. The kind of situation we are seeing is certainly not good. Something immediately should be done to streamline the movement of agriculture labourers and ensure their availability during harvesting and sowing. Otherwise, we might be compromising with our food security of the profitability of farmers. It would also impact our inflation, which presently seems to be under control.

Question:

How do you rate Modi government and state governments at the hour of Covid-19 crisis? And what suggestions you want to give it to the government.

Answer:

I must admit the Centre and State government have been trying to do their best. And those who take decision might commit some mistakes. But this is no time to criticize anyone. I have no doubt and say it confidently that Indian government has done much more better than the government of many prosperous developed nations.

Lastly, states, as well as Centre governments, should take Covid-19 as an opportunity to promote our agriculture sector, stress on exports of agriculture produce and give them all possible incentives and facilities. We can emerge as a global leader in the Agriculture sector provide we make a long term roadmap and strategy to process our agriculture products and market it in the international market.

At the same time, we must admit here that government can only make policies, it is for the officers at the ground level to implement it and look into its nitty-gritty and encourage entrepreneurs in this direction.

Ends.