SEA LINK: REDUCE THE TOLL AMOUNT

The Maharastra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) is worried that the sea link usage is only around 40% and it is yet to achieve the break-even. The investments made in this kind of mega projects are huge. And because of undue delay in implementing the project, for various reasons, the cost has gone up many folds. The gestation period for projects of this nature are usually is very long. Hence, it is not proper to expect the venture to break even from the day one. The present toll of Rs 50 for one way usage is on the very high side which is acting as a deterrent for some people to use this route. The MSRDC should reduce the toll to Rs 30.00 to enable more people to use the route which will increase the revenues. This move will further reduce the traffic congestion in the adjoining areas. More over the sea-link has been built for the benefit of general public and even if MSRDC loses money for some period it should not worry too much about it.

FUTILE EXERCISE

The submission of fourth dossier to PAK government by India is an exercise in futile. Even if we submit one hundred dossiers, PAK government will not take any action against the perpetrators of 26/11 Mumbai terrorists attack. How can one expect the establishment in PAK to take action against the attackers since the attack itself was done with the tacit understanding of the ISI and the Military. Immediately after the attack the PAK government stoutly denied the role any militant organaisation that are sheltered in their soil. It took more than six months for them to just acknowledge the involvement of terrorist out-fits based in PAK. PAK is a land of no action against terrorists.

CENTER SHOULD SACK BUTA SINGH

The Center should immediately sack Mr. Buta Singh, chairman of National SC/ST commission, for involvement of his son in the bribery case, till the investigation is complete in all respect. In spite of his son being confessed to heinous act Mr. Buta Singh stoutly denies the same. He even questions the credibility of the premier investigation agency of the country. Being a seasoned politician and being an ex-home minister at the Center he knows very well how the CBI functions. Apart from involvement of his son in the bribery case, the investigating agency has also recovered three un-licensed fire arms from the residence of Buta Singh, in New Delhi. The continuance of Mr. Buta Singh, as chair man will hamper the investigation.Dr. Man Mohan Singh who is known for his honesty and integrity should sack Mr. Buta immediately; otherwise his reputation will take a beating.

GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT RELENT

The proposed one day suspension of domestic flights (strike) by private air lines on 18-08-09 to press for their demand of lower taxes and reduced air port charges deserves no sympathy neither from neither the public nor from the government. With the greed to make more money the private air line operators acquired/made commitments to acquire more airplanes than required by the country. This un-wanted large scale expansion of air line business without realistic study of the growing demand of passenger traffic and solely depending on the rosy projections provided by the air craft manufacturers has led to the present position. In spite of collecting thousands of crores of ‘free money’ (IPO) and borrowing heavily from the banks and financial institutions, the private air line operatators not able to manage their business in a viable manner, it appears some thing basically wrong with their business model and their perception about the air line business. They have failed miserably in their business venture because of their greed. The owners of these air lines are financially very sound and they should find some ways to come out of the problem without seeking government assistance. Under no circumstances the government should dole out assistance to private air line operatators lest the very purpose of opening of the air line business to private sector is defeated. Instead the government should utilize the same funds (notional) to provide assistance to millions of SME entrepreneurs who are in dire straits because of slow down in the economy.

NATIONALISE GAS BUSINESS

The dispute between Ambani brothers has taken an ugly turn which does not augur well for the country in general and for the corporate world in particular. The brothers are not interested in supplying the gas at competitive rates to the public and other users. They want maximum profit from the gas production and distribution business. They openly talk of greedyness, corruption, favoritism and manipulation of records pertaining to the vexed gas business. One does not know what happened to corporate governance and business ethics they were talking about all these days. The government should nationalize the gas business pertaining to Ambani brothers in the larger national interest.

EXTREMISM IN PAK -- CREATION OF U S

The US secretary of state Hillary Rodham Clinton’s advice, that India should encourage PAK as it is facing extremism on its soil. The so called extremists are creation of US and PAK in the early 1990s to wage guerilla war against India and Russia occupied Afghanistan. Not only US created the extremists, it directly or indirectly funded them continually. U S realized its blunder only when the extremists attacked the New York City on 09/11. The present president of PAK has gone on record that US and the ISI of PAK were in the know of things of the activities of extremists in PAK against India.Then, what kind of cooeration the U S is expecting from India. U S being the biggest donor to PAK can dictate terms on many matters including dismantling of all extremists organizations and hand over of dreaded international criminals who are sheltered in PAK, to India, who are wanted here for various crimes committed. U S won’t do that. It has its own hidden agenda. India has cooperated more than required and necessary. It is our neighburer who has not taken any concrete steps to boot out the extremists from its soil. Mrs. Clinton please keep the diplomacy talks aside and talk the ground reality with PAK when you visit them. India has done enough on its part.

IMMATURE AND IRRESPOSIBLE BEHAVIOUR

The refusal of seat to sri Aakash in a government college is ridiculous, even though he has secured 78% in B.com. The principal of the college knowing fully well that the student is the son of the slain ATS chief Karkare behaved in a immature and irresponsible manner causing embracement to the family, in spite of government publicly declaring it is the responsibility of the state to look after the children of such brave souls who scarified their life, so that the citizens of the country can live in peace. Mrs.Karkare rejected the various doles, amounting in crores, offered by different state governments. The principal and the committee on admission should have taken all these into consideration while processing the application of Aakash. It is reported that two students have been admitted even though they have scored less than the required qualifying marks. The principal of the college should explain on what basis those students were admitted.

MR. ZARDARI PLEASE COME CLEAN ON MUMBAI BLAST

At last, the PAK president has accepted the fact that the terrorists in their land are created, nurtured and supported by the Establishment. Mr. Zardari may be under the impression that has made public the biggest secret of the PAK government. Mr. President please note this no big news. The whole world knows who has created and continuously supporting the terrorists’ organizations in PAK. The 26/11 attack on Mumbai is carried out by terrorists by tacit understanding and the support of PAK military and ISI. Including Mr. Zardari the establishment denied any involvement. The government of India has provided enough proof that the attack was carried out by out fits that are sheltered and protected by the Government of PAK. Why no action has been taken against the perpetrators of the attack. Why the PAK government is not cooperating with India in this matter. The dreaded international gangsters, drug peddlers and terrorists are living like Moghul emperors of yester years with active support of the government. India has given a list of most wanted international criminals who are sheltered in PAK. What action the PAK government has taken. Since, now your aware that the perpetrators of Mumbai attack are within your country why can’t you hand over them to India.

RAILWAY BUDGET: WELL DONE, MAMATA

Railway minister Ms Mamata Banerji has presented a well balanced budget for the year 2009-10 under the given circumstances. The special rates announced for youth, students and unorganaised labour are major highlights of the budget. The minister has also promised to improve the hygienic conditions and improve the quality of services across the board. He minister has announced some very ambitious projects like non-stop trains and A C double-decker. There are many projects/proposals announced by the previous ministers, which neither yet to be started or progressing at a very slow pace. All the proposals made now and proposals announced earlier, which are yet to take-off are to be implemented with in a specified time.

BETTER T AND D MANAGEMENT IS THE ANSWER

The report of electric supply companies move to seek clearance from KERC to hike power tariffs is ridiculous. Tariff hike is not the answer for various financials problems faced by the electric supply companies. The answer lies in better transmission and distribution (T and D) management. It is reported that the average T and D loss of the supply companies is more than 20%. Apart from this, there is lethargy and rampant corruption in the above organization. The government should first clean up the power supply companies’ administration and should take steps to reduce the T and D loss to single digit.