Healthcare challenges to new government in Delhi

Delhi’s crumbling health care system needs overhaul and some out of the box ideas.While, increasing budgetary spending on health will definitely help, there could be several other ways to meet the need.

My piece in Indian Express published today – Healthcare challenges to new government in Delhi:

http://indianexpress.com/article/blogs/healthcare-challenges-to-new-government-in-delhi/

AAP’s landslide win in Delhi is a victory of the common man

The stunning victory of Aam Aadmi Party is not only a resounding verdict on the steadfastness, self-belief and hard work of largely volunteer-driven Aam Aadmi Party; it is equally a reminder to the incumbent BJP (at Centre) that public goodwill cannot be sustained if promises are not kept.

Here is my analysis on AAP’s historic win published in DNA on February 10, 2015 – AAP’s landslide win in Delhi is a victory of the common man

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/comment-aap-s-landslide-win-in-delhi-is-a-victory-of-the-common-man-2059731

NRIs’ Date with Indian Politics

Please take a look at my article that was published today (Nov. 27, 2014) in the Chandigarh and Delhi-based Newspaper “Daily Post“. The article narrates how Non Resident Indians are inclined to participate in Indian politics and how Indian political parties are also reaching out to them via their foreign chapters.

Here is the web-link: http://goo.gl/2K6Zly

Daily Post Nov 27 2014 NRI politics

 

NRIs’ Date with Indian Politics

Over the years, a trend has emerged that shows that overseas Indians like to contribute to India by participating in politics. Similarly, Indian political parties see them as an asset and have redoubled their efforts by reaching out to them on foreign shores. This is the theme of my weekly column this time published every Monday in Delhi-based The Political & Business Daily newspaper.

PBD Nov 24 2014 NRIs Indian Politics

 

Morality of LG Jung

New Delhi: Today, the Supreme Court while hearing a petition by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) that the Delhi assembly should be dissolved and a fresh election should be announced, rebuked the Center and said: ”We gave you enough time but nothing happened and you always make one statement or other on the day of hearing”. It further stated that “in a democracy, President’s Rule cannot go on forever.”
The apex court also observed that “the Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Delhi should have taken decision on government formation at the earliest and should not have taken 5 months time.” This statement is enough to question Delhi LG’s role and integrity.
In my view the question that SC asked the Center today that “How will BJP form Govt. WITHOUT the required numbers?” should have been asked by the Delhi LG in the first place! If the Lt Governor Mr. Najeeb Jung has any political morality, he should resign without any delay now.
AAP has been saying what all has been observed by the SC today as regard the Presidents Rule in Delhi from the day one. It is still high time that the LG dissolves the Delhi assembly and paves way for fresh elections. Inviting BJP to form the government in Delhi will only give rise to horsetrading and further political instability.

Does Black Money lie in “Black Hole”?

Well, Black money does not lie holed up in the ‘Black Hole’ that it can not be recouped! I hope we Indians -irrespective of our political affiliations and beliefs- understand this simple fact!

It is clear that the Modi Government is  trying to save its face on non compliance of Black Money promise.
Per media reports, BJP will be disclosing a few SELECTED names of black money holders to the Supreme Court (SC). A very obvious question arises: Why only selected, around 136 names and why not all?
Is this not just a diversionary tactic to buy time to save rest of the influential tainted people?
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)has been insisting that all the names should be revealed.. AAP has published a detailed document on this issue on its website too. The reality is that there is not any law in India or treaty with any country due to which the government cannot take action against the black- money holders.
Simple! Where there is a will, there is a way! Always! 

Two main reasons that raise doubts about Mr. Modi government’s intentions are:
1) Double Taxation Avoidance Treaty: Is it a mere shield to escape from reality or the issue? The way, Modi government has been squirming, it raises doubts.
On the double Tax Avoidance Agreement between India and Germany, the Supreme Court observed that there was no provision in the agreement that limits the disclosure of information. It also stated that the plea is unsustainable as neither an agreement can limit nor violate the principles laid down in our constitution.
An extract from the judgment: “The above clause in the relevant agreement with Germany would indicate that, contrary to the assertions of Union of India, there is no absolute bar of secrecy.Comity of nations cannot be predicated upon clauses of secrecy that could hinder constitutional proceedings such as these or criminal proceedings”.
2) The provisions of the 
United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) are being ignored by BJP.
India, Germany and Switzerland are signatories to the UNCAC. Therefore:
• India is authorized to make requisite changes in the laws of our country to deal with black money issues.
• UNCAC overrides ‘bank secrecy laws’.
• UNCAC permits us to freeze, seize and confiscate illegal money.
So, BJP should utilize powers given under UNCAC to get back the black money rather than using it as an excuse to protect the black money holders!
Mr. Modi, do not genuflect! As Swami Vivekand said: Be up and doing!