Donations/capitation fees in Schools

In 1991, India liberalised the economy by initiating a package of wide ranging reforms known as new economic policy. The neo-liberal policies included opening for international trade and investment, deregulation, initiation of privatization, tax reforms, and inflation-controlling measures. The overall direction of liberalisation has since remained the same, irrespective of the ruling party. After liberalization of the economy, the central and state governments slowly started to withdraw from the policy of providing free education. The education has been thrown open to private sector, which led to commercialisation of education.  Recently a new type of educational institutions has come into existence, namely self-financing (unaided) institutions. These institutions have been promoted by capitalists, businessmen, real estate tycoons politicians, religious heads, communal associations, money launderers, liquor barons, smugglers, profiteers, bureaucrats, politicians  and other such individuals, who rarely cherish the idea to serve the society. Admittedly the growth of such institutions has led to the commercialisation of education. These institution woefully lack infrastructural facilities and qualified teachers. While they collect huge amount as capitation fees and as tuition fees, the salary paid to the teachers (including fully qualified teachers) is often a pittance compared to those employed in government and aided educational institutions. These teachers are not only denied proper salary but also security of service and other benefits.It is quite disturbing to note that    more and more such schools are resorting to the collection of donations/capitation fees in various names and different methods. How is it that the authorities are turning a blind eye when collection donations/capitation fees are prohibited?  Today, more and more people have too much money with them, which is not hard earned but gained through  tax evasion, corruption, bribery, embezzlement, plundering of the resources of the country, black marketing,  hoarding, miss-invoicing, money laundering and other such shadow activities. Such people are prepared to pay their black money to the unscrupulous school managements who indulge in the unlawful act of collecting donations/capitation fees. Such rich parents are making difficult for those who cannot make out huge payments.  Education is like a basic necessity and should be offered free or at nominal cost to everyone. The politicians and bureaucrats are also colluding with these unscrupulous managements of unaided schools which are promoted  for profits. These needs to be changed and the government should take effective steps to curb this unlawful practice of taking donations/capitation fees by school managements.

Dr.C.Murukadas, The Times of India, Nov.27, 2012

Smt. Indira Gandhi is one of the tallest leaders of India.

Smt. Indira Gandhi is one of the tallest leaders of India. Notwithstanding certain unpopular actions such as declaring emergency,  she has been a seen as an able administrator and pro-poor. Her contributions to the growth and development of the country are numerous. Like Jawaharlal Nehru she had great faith in the public sector for the rapid development of the country. Her contributions towards ushering in green revolution and self-sufficiency in food   grain production are noteworthy. In fact the special agricultural innovation programmess and extra government support initiated in the 1960s finally transformed India's chronic food shortages into surplus production of wheat, rice, cotton and milk. That achievement, along with the diversification of its commercial crop production, has become known as the "Green Revolution". At the same time, the White Revolution was an expansion in milk production which helped to combat malnutrition, especially amidst young children. 'Food Security', as the program was called, was another source of support for Gandhi in the years leading up to 1975. In 1969, Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi took the historic decision to nationalise 14 major banks with a view to promote economic development and widening access to banking facilities. Banks were given targets for lending in priority areas (like agriculture) and were directed to offer banking services to poorer members of Indian society who had been neglected by the private banks. Under the nationalization drive, the number of bank branches rose from 8,200 to over 62,000, most of which were opened in the unbanked, rural areas. The nationalization drive not only helped to increase household savings, but it also provided considerable investments in the informal sector, in small and medium-sized enterprises, and in agriculture, and contributed significantly to regional development and to the expansion of India’s industrial and agricultural base. In 1969, while she was addressing a meeting of the Student Congress leaders in Chennai this commentator put the following question to Madam Gandhi: “Dear madam will you tell why the banks were nationalised?” She quipped, “You said you are a PG student of Economics; you are a youth, wait and see, time will tell you why banks are nationalised.” Now I have realised that nationalization of banks has greatly contributed to the growth and stability of the country. Let us not forget this great  leader of India!

Dr.C.Murukadas, The Times of India, Nov.19, 2012.

Denigration of the Nadar community in the CBSE Class 9 Social Science textbook

We wish to thank Dr. Jayalalitha for taking up the issue  of denigration of the Nadar community in the CBSE Class 9 Social Science textbook with the Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, and requesting him to direct the appropriate authorities to remove the defamatory remarks immediately. The Chapter entitled, "Caste, Conflict and Dress Change" in the above said book has wrongly depicted members of the Nadar community as migrants. The statement that the members of the Nadar community are migrants is not only incorrect but also mischievous. Nadars are one of the earliest settlers of South India. Their history dates back to antiquity.  Although Nadars are found all over the South, the density of their population is high in the southern districts of Tamilnadu and south eastern part of Kerala. They are also found in large numbers in Karnataka. The Nadar community is not a lower caste as mentioned in the CBSE book. There is no doubt that Nadars are descendants of those who ruled the Chera, Chola and Pandya Kingdoms. They have also been rulers of South India at one point of time. For some time they were persecuted and their belongings were looted by the Palayakarrars, especially by Kattabommulu, who   were the feudal class of territorial administrative and military governors appointed by the Nayak rulers of South India (notably Vijayanagar Empire, Madurai Nayakas and the Kakatiya dynasty) during 16th – 18th centuries). In south east Travancore also they were ill-treated and mercilessly persecuted by the Nair rulers.  In order to escape persecution they moved to down south and on the hillocks. But they, through hard work, converted large tracts of arid land into fertile cultivable land. The bleak and barren slopes of the hills were also converted into resplendent vegetations, and food crops of various kinds. They tapped palms for toddy and sweet juice and jaggery. They were the sole manufactures of   salt. They had also developed spinning and weaving as a cottage industry. But after independence, the Nadar community rose against persecution and ill-treatment through hard work. Today its members form the largest trading community in Tamil Nadu. They have established business all over Tamilnadu and various other cities in India, including Mumbai, Bangalore, Thiruvananthapuram, etc. The literacy rate of the Nadar community is highest among the big communities of India. In News Paper and IT industry also they have laid the stamp of supremacy. The Nadar community was the earliest group to establish schools and colleges and provided free education to all irrespective of caste, religion and creed in their institutions. Moreover, they have contributed a lot during the freedom struggle and after Independence in shaping the Indian polity, especially Tamilnadu.  India is yet to find a better administrator (Chief Minister) than Perunthalaivar K.Kamaraj.

Walmart probe

“But even if they (charges of corruption and bribery) are found true, that would be no reason to block FDI in multi-brand retail. FDI in retail must be allowed not because Walmart or some other foreign retail chain wants it, but because it is in the interests of India's consumers and farmers.” The above view of Times is not only unfortunate and brazen but also reprehensible. It reminds me of an old adage, “Now, it has come to light ….the bridegroom is a burglar and a murderer; but the marriage to be solemnized as all arrangements are over; everybody has come; said so, the mediator.”  Everybody, including Dr.Manmohan Singh and the so called votaries of FDI in mutli-brand retail trade,   knows that “FDI in retail trade will not serve any purpose. It will do more harm than benefit the people.” In fact, in 2002, as leader of the opposition in Rajya Sabha, Dr.Singh fought tooth and nail against the introduction of FDI in retail. His colleague Mr. Priya Ranjan Munshi castigating the BJP, which was in power then and who tried to bring FDI in retail, said “it is anti-national to bring FDI in retail.”  Now, Dr. Singh says that FDI in retail is pro- national and is to be welcomed, irrespective of merits or demerits. What is cause for the somersault by Dr.Singh and the Congress party? Is it not an open secret that they have fallen prey to the powerful lobbying by Walmart and other multinational retail giants and the pressure exerted by their home governments? Does it not mean that erroneous factors and extraneous considerations have played foremost roles? Now the retail giant Walmart having disclosed that it is investigating alleged violations of the US anti-bribery law in India, China and Brazil, who are the beneficiaries of the kickbacks (bribery)?  These aspects have to be investigated and the culprits have to be severely punished. As far as your view that FDI  in retail must be allowed in the interests of India's consumers and farmers. It is   nothing but a deceptive propaganda, which is not supported by facts. This commentator has done extensive research on the pros and cons of FDI in retail trade in India. The results have been published in the form of a book entitled, “FDI in Retail Trade in India: a Retrograde Step” by M/s RAC Publications, No. 38 (Old No. 76-A) Choolaimedu, Chennai-60094. The study concludes as followers: “Evidences from various parts of the world indicate that   widespread   emergence of big format retail super stores have lead to extensive ruin of retail stores/shops thereby resulting in the loss of employment and livelihood to millions of persons involved in retail trade.… FDI in retail trade will not serve any purpose. It will do more harm than benefit the people.”The general perception is that the government has resorted to the recent measures with a view to divert attention of the public  from various scams, sandals, frauds and other such shadow activities perpetuated during the past few years.

Dr. C.Murukadas, The Times of India, Nov. 17, 2012

Abandon neo-liberal policies

Many of the economies around the world are in an unstable situation. It is feared that   continued recession in Europe and other parts of the world would be felt around the world. India can’t completely insulate its economy from the crisis in other economies because the integration of its economy with the rest of the world because of liberalisation and globalisation. Therefore, the reports that growth rate of the country may be below the anticipated level is not surprising. Nevertheless it has to be borne in mind that the impact of world economic crisis is not severe in our country compared to European nations. That is not to sate that we can be complacent. However, we have to move cautiously with neo-liberal economic reform. That is, there is a strong   case for India to abandon neo-liberal policies and for continuing an interventionist policy, which would insulate the country to a larger extent from external shocks.  It has to be noted that for the common people, who form the bulk of the population, growth rates have no meaning or any relevance because they are seldom benefited by higher growth rates. It is a fact that a greater proportion of the benefits of higher growth goes to only the upper strata of the society Moreover corruption and black money are the serious scourges facing India, which are acting as a road block to ensure inclusive growth and development of the country. Corruption and black money are also the root cause of growing inequality and deprivation. Huge amount has been appropriated from the people of India by exploiting and betraying them through corruption and money laundering. If this huge amount of black money and property comes back to India, the entire foreign debt can be liquidated. And after paying the entire foreign debt, India will have huge resources to invest in development programmes and welfare measures. Dependence on FDI can be substantially reduced. If corruption is controlled, generation of black money can be controlled to a large extent. Of course, for significant dent on corruption and black money there should be change in the mind set of politicians, bureaucrats and the public. The government has to take determined efforts to root out corruption and black money, besides taking steps to  reinvigorating the economy.