May I have your attention please, Mr Prime Minister!

BY APURVA RAI
 
COME July and preparations begin for Independence Day celebrations which falls on August 15. There is excitement as people await with bated breath for the prime minister's speech that he delivers from the ramparts of Red Fort. 

The prime ministerial speech is all about the achievements of government and the tasks accomplished for the welfare of the people but it also gives an indication about the shape of things to come.

The year 2015 is something different as this time Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sought people's views on his speech that he will deliver from Red Fort. I have found the idea quite exciting and felt following issues would be relevant.

Here's a brief of my views.

FARMERS ISSUE

The farmers of our country are the most neglected lot. It is unforunate we eat food produced by them but do not think of them and their welfare. It is a cruel joke that the Agriculture ministers have so far only done politics on such issues which affect our farmers.

It is for this reason that the prime minister should talk about farmers and farming in his Independence Day speech. Importantly, the PM will have to demonstrate in coming days that he is indeed serious about farmers and is taking steps to to 'empower' them. Talking about farmers from the ramparts of the Red Fort will at least give an impression that the PM of India thinks about farmers and is keen to rederess their grossly neglected grievances.

So far nothing concrete has been done for the welfare of farmers of the country. They are poor, live a hard life, barely have the amenities that their counterparts in urban areas enjoy, work very hard yet get little, are landlords but live like a worker, most exploited community across India and so on.

Remove Middlemen: The farmers work day and night and produce a rich harvest but when it is time to sell it in the market they are surrounded by clever and cunning middlemen.

The community of middlemen is th biggest bane of independent India. They are there to exploits the honest and hard working people and pocket a larger share of profits.

In the case of farmers the middlemen buy the produce at cheaper prices and sell it at much higher price later. Why so? Why can't a farmer himself sell his produce in the open market and keep the profit himself? Has the govt ever provided any infrastructure where a farmer gets facilities to sell his yield directly? There is a lot to be done in this direction but nobody even thinks of it. There are sharks waiting for the harvest at the end of the season and pounce upon the poor farmers and give them peanuts in return. 

A farmer is there not only to work in fields and grow crops he also deserves to get  best prices for it. And for this he should get the freedom of every kind.

Investing for Farmers: The farmer of our country is poor but feeds the rich who are enjoying life in urban areas. Why does the government not allow industrialists, businessmen to invest in green fields? The businessmen should be allowed to negotiate with the Gram Panchayat and invest money in seasonal crops in the entire village. After the harvest is ready the industrialist will collect the produce and sell it in the market. The farmer will get his due which shall be worked out in a contract with the Gram Panchayat. Thus the farmer remains owner of his land, does not need to invest money in crops and gets a fair income at the end of the season.

Once business class ventures into the agriculture fields the farmers will be exempted from investing in the crops and will need to work for a good harvest only. The problem of bringing in technology and other logistics will be that of investor who will also take care of selling the produce. What the farmers get is the best return of their land and hard work.

The biggest development will be employment generation in agricultural field as one will need techninal experts, labour, planners, maintenance technicians, bankers etc in the rural areas. Once rural areas start showing signs of development the rush towards urban cities in search of jobs will halt. Even rural areas will become hub of employment and soon will be known as developed villages.

URBAN TRAFFIC

The prime minister should talks about traffic jams that occurs in cities. Every day the VIPs and common man alike have to go through traffic snarls and their work gets affected. The PM should tell people that nobody shall be allowed to own more than two cars and purchase of multiple cars will invite heavy taxation.

He must talk of developed public transport system at least in every state capital. The way we have Metro train in Delhi every stae capital in India must have either Metro or Mono Rail for the convenience of people.

POLLUTION

Air: Growing pollution is another area of concern. The PM should invite people to take up the cause of greenery and plant good trees in open spaces around their neighbourhood. He should announce that every city should have a forest area like green belts where there is heavy plantation. This will serve a the lung of the city and help people breathe fresh air.

Water: Water pollution is the greatest problem that India faces. The PM should announce some measures that make water supplied through pipelines is of better quality. So far nothing has been done to make water authorities responsible for clean water supply. The PM should ensure that staff at water authorities does not enjoy and has more responsibilities.

EDUCATION

Study Pattern: Uniform school education system across the country is another area of concern. A Class  2 student in Srinagar should be studying the same thing what another Class 2 student in Mumbai or Bangalore studies. But this is not so in India. Does the govt plan anything on this.

Fee: Money brings biggest discrimination among children in the form of fee. A child paying higher fee in a bigger school gets superiority complex and feels himself above all other such students who study in smaller schools. Thus the very first lesson in education goes wrong. Why does the govt not announce a cap in school fee for all schools across the country. Also the govt should announce at least two central schools in every district and allow admissions there for all children of the region.

Sports: Running a school has become a business because many people open them in small areas without even having proper infrastructure. Sports is one such field where most schools lag behind. Such schools should not be approved which do not have proper sports ground. Every child must participate in sport activities in order to get promoted to next standard.

It will be better if schools with large buildings expand their horizons and even organise subsidised screening of films on weekends and holidays. This way school students will be discouraged to bunk classes and go to multiplexes.

BLACK MONEY

For a long time there has been a raging debate on black money. There are people who 'earn' a lot and build lot of properties, drive luxury numerous cars and indulge in extravagant lifestyle. The hunger for money never ends and those who can 'earn' want more houses and fixed deposits as their 'income' goes up. The PM should announce a simple measure--- nobody shall be allowed to own more than three houses in the country. It does not matter whether the property comes from the govt or the private builders. This means if a person has a villa in Delhi he may be allowed to buy two more- say one in Bangalore and one in Nainital. But things should stop there. Once the 'rich' man has owned three homes what shall he do with the remaining money? Obviously he will indulge in some charity or he will stop 'earning' that extra buck.

Similarly nobody should be allowed two buy more than two cars.

Putting a ceiling on spendings will come as a big check in controlling corruption. Just be strong and announce it it, Mr Prime Minister.

SENIOR CITIZENS

Medical: The senior citizens of our country are grossly neglected. There is no dedicated medical facility for them. No doctor attends them at priority and there are no separate wards for them in hospitals. What is worse is that senior citizens generally need a home service quite often and this is missing in our society.

Money: The senior citizens aged 70 and above should be exempted from Income Tax. I know people will abuse this facility but this is how the govt can show some respect to them. This is one way that the oldies in the family will get some money in their hands otherwise generally they are deprived of all the money by many heartless children.

Facilities: The LTC should be continued for senior citizens even after retirement. While in service LTC does not carry much meaning because of time restraint and non vailability of leaves. Now that a person has a lot of time and is willing to travel with spouse the LTC is gone. Just continue it and believe me you will see a surge in tourism.

LAW AND ORDER

The fear for law and order has more or less vanished. Criminals are not afraid of anyone and the law takes a long time in imparting justice. Criminals have become fearless perhaps because they are confident that nobody can harm them. On the other hand the victims remain sufferers because they find justice eluding them. One expects that the prime minister will give a clear message in his Independence Day speech that the law is indeed stringent the guilty shall never be spared. The people of this country need an assurance that the criminals are always within the reach of law and cannot escape under any circumstances.

DELHI POLLUTION- CHECK 'GREEN AGENDA' OF BUILDERS

BY APURVA RAI

EMPLOYMENT opportunities and business atmosphere has attracted millions and millions of people to the national capital of Delhi over past several decades. The situation has reached a stage that Delhi is now also known as the city of migrants.

Once working and earning in Delhi housing became the next challenge for the migrant population. Though there were other requirements too but they all became secondary. Most of the people who came to Delhi preferred to stay back and settle in the capital. As the income grew and people stabilised they started buying a house for their families. Soon a house in the national capital not only became a matter of social status but also a precious commodity.

More people meant more houses and the number kept rising. Slowly space in the national capital became scarce and nearby places like Noida in Uttar Pradesh and Gurgaon, Faridabad in Haryana became part of the capital thus expanding its land area. The nearby areas, now famous as National Captal Region (NCR) too have became populous making properties dearer day by day. With sky-rocketng prices of property Delhi is today one of the best place to invest and see your capital multiplying in a short span of time.

With rising cost and growing demand Delhi and NCR saw a surge in construction activities. Heavy construction work, particularly in Noida Extension, also led to heavy air pollution thus adversely affecting health of the people. The situation has become so alarming that the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had to impose a ban on construction activity in #Noidaextension.

BLACK MONEY PUMPED
Growing air pollution in NCR, particularly Noida Extension, raises a pertinent question that what purpose these numerous housing societies are serving. Are Do they really fulfill the need of a shelter for a common man or that they have become just an investment opportunity. One may also go on to say that those who have bought an apartment for their needs are in debts from banks while others are mere shifting homes to see a change in lifestyle. One should not hesitate to mention that many of these apartments are yet another place of investment for those who have surplus or black money.

Thus one thing becomes clear that such a huge construction activity is not genuinely linked to the needs of the people. It should be said with authority that people are breathing polluted air to help a limited few see a change in their lifestyles or another few pump in their black money.

Buying an apartment in Noida, Noida Extension, Greater Noida, Faridabad or Gurgaon is not a joke and is by and large beyond the reach of 'aam admi'. In the absence of any policy for affordable housing the builders sell their flats at fancy prices by counting on various luxuries or other features to attract as many buyers.

Meet the 'homeless' people of Delhi and each one has a story to narrate. What one commonly comes to know is that they have booked an apartment which is expected to be delivered in a few years and that they are already under loan from a bank to meet its cost. Majority of these people pay rents and the EMIs together and are not yet sure how soon will they shift to the home of their dreams. Pressed hard by house rents and the EMIs now people have medical bills to add to their woes. Dust rising from construction areas has covered the entire Delhi and NCR leading children and senior citizens become victims of growing air pollution.

NO AFFORDABLE HOMES
One cannot deny the fact that housing is an important need for all of us but do we, indeed, need the kind of housing activity that is taking place in NCR. The kind of apartments that are selling in the region certainly do not fall in the category of 'affordable homes'. Every builder boasts of numerous features in his township but the reality is that most of these features are meant to squeeze more money from the pocket of the buyer who breathes poor quality of air and runs around the hospitals paying the remaining money in his wallet.

It is totally lop-sided policy of the government which keeps its eyes closed while auctioning or selling land to builders. If the governmet was people-friendly and indeed serious for a clean environment then it would have laid following guidelines:

a) More than half of the land alloted shall be used to construct affordable homes

b) Nobody shall be allowed to own more than two homes

c) The towers should be so constructed that they have a play area or a big park in between

d) Twenty per cent of land should be developed as an orchard, green area, large garden etc

e) Only limited blocks may be allowed to be sold as luxury houses. This will give scope to the builder to earn a good profit by selling 'dream homes'.

Such guidelines would ensure that greenery lost by way of paving way for construction of urban townships is restored to some extent. By putting a cap on ownership of number of homes people will not be able to go on 'home shopping spree' and thus will at some stage lead to restrict construction activity.

NGT MAY IMPOSE PENALTY ON DEFAULTERS
Delhi and NCR is appropriately called concrete jungle and the people of Delhi have to run out of the town during vacations in search of green or natural surrounding. Study carefully and you will find that every builder or developer claims of constructing towers amidst vast green area. But a visit to  many of these townships will leave you hunting for that vast greenery. Stand on the balcony of any flat and you are confronted with another tower. It is rare to find apartments facing parks and open lands.

More so, not a single builder specifies areas for construction activity and areas left for greenery.

This is where the role of #NGT becomes crucial. If a builder has specified the green area in his townshop and has not followed it earnestly then he needs to be penalised heavily. In fact, the inspection for green areas should be done during construction period only so that there is scope to cover up for the lost greenery.


The National Green Tribunal should also specify number of townships that may come up in a given area. Thr agency may come up with clear guidelines on the size of green area that should be compulsoraily developed while allotting land to housing societies. For example, in a range of seven kms over one km could be compulsory green belt. This will reduce construction activity on entire vacant land and the green belt will serve as breather for the inhabitants.

The NGT has banned construction activity in Noida Extension for causing air pollution. Will the ban serve any purpose in fighting air pollution. The NGT, therefore, should look for unallotted land and help develop it for promotion of greenery.

While the government invites tenders for developing townships the NGT may invited tenders for developing green belts. This way there will be some control over construction activity and air pollution in urban areas may come uder control.

BUILDERS DO NOT CARE FOR CLEAN AIR
If the #builders were so careful and honest towards greenery the quality of air in Delhi would still have been 'breathable' and that ailments like #asthama would not have become so common here. While profit-making remains the sole objective of the builders greenery is just a selling item for them.

Most builders have earned the dubious distinction of cheating people on false promises. Majority have failded to deliver their projects adding miseries to the lives of #aamadmi. The builders talk of luxuries in the apartments, modernt lifestyle, shopping bonanza and much more but how many talks of huge lawns, theme-based greenland (like developing botanical garden, fruit garden, mini zoo, flower valley etc). There are many who boast of huge golf course but how useful is it to infants who need to be taken for ride in a pram, for children who need to play in evening, for pregnant women who ned morning-evening walks, for senior citizens who want to gossip under a tree and so on.

The builders show you a dream and you fall in their trap. The Second Opinion says that ask the builder to come with detailed roadmap on green belt and its maintenance if you are serious to fight #airpollution in your city. The Second Opinion also discourages multi-ownership of apartments bcause this is not going to solve the housing problem of masses.

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NOTE

Also read other my other pieces:

Copy/ Paste the given links to reads these Blogs. 

1) BECOMING KEJRIWAL! (2019)
https://apurvaopinion.blogspot.com/2020/02/becoming-kejriwal.html

2) हवा ही है ज़हरीली (2019)

http://apurvarai.blogspot.com/2019/12/blog-post.html 

3) अब दिल्ली महानगरपाविका चुनाव (2017)

http://apurvarai.blogspot.com/2017/04/blog-post.html

4) Monsoon and Delhi Roads (2017)

https://apurvaopinion.blogspot.com/2017/07/monsoon-and-delhi-roads.html

5) Delhi Fights Pollution: Odds Come Again (2016)

https://apurvaopinion.blogspot.com/2016/04/delhi-fights-pollution-odds-come-again.html

6) Delhi Pollution: Fighting Odds to make Things Even (2016)

https://apurvaopinion.blogspot.com/2016/01/delhi-pollution-fighting-odds-to-make.html

7) Delhi Pollution: Mindless Driving Major Concern (2015)

https://apurvaopinion.blogspot.com/2015/07/mindless-driving-polluting-delhi.html

8) मैं और मेरी दिल्ली (2011)

http://apurvarai.blogspot.com/2011/11/blog-post.html

 

DELHI POLLUTION: MINDLESS DRIVING MAJOR CONCERN

BY APURVA RAI

THE national capital has earned the disgraceful status of being one of the most polluted cities in the world. Poor air quality leading to breathing troubles and reduced visibility on Delhi roads has become a major cause of concern for most citizens, NGOs and several civic authorities.

The matter has been raised by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) which has cited several reasons for growing air pollution in Delhi and the adjoining National Capital Region (NCR). The NGT has pulled up the Centre for not taking enough measures to stop growing air pollution in Delhi.

No control over production and purchase
According to NGT one major cause of air pollution is uncontrolled rise in the number of vehicles in Delhi. In the absence of clear cut guidelines or laws there is no restriction on manufacture, selling or buying of cars.

The manufacturer produces and sells vehicles that are more in demand. Car companies operate with the sole objective of making profits and seeing ever increasing sales graph. On the other hand the buyers are primarily concerned with just pricing and mileage. So where does the concern for environment figure and where are  government guidelines to make concern for environment a priority.

The vehicles that have recorded higher sales are fitted with diesel engines. Such vehicles have drawn bigger flak as they are the largest contributors to Delhi's growing air pollution. Sales figures suggest that diesel vehicles are a favourite among car buyers as they return higher mileage to every litre of diesel.

Restrict diesel cars
The big question is how to shift the choice of people and make them stick to petrol-driven vehicles. This is possible only when mass production of diesel cars is stopped. Otherwise, the manufacturer will keep producing diesel vehicles and people will keep buying them on their free will. In fact, this is what is happening today and the result is that diesel cars have outnumbered petrol cars. The consequence is there for all of us to see.

The vicious cycle of buying and selling of diesel cars thus stays and the companies keep on coming up with upgraded diesel models and people keep on getting attracted towards them.

It would be much better for our environment if there is a complete ban on production of small diesel cars having an engine capacity up to 1000CC.  Of late a new trend has emerged where companies are coming up with smaller hatchback cars in diesel version. Since small cars amount for much higher sales they will surely lure the buyers. When these cars will not be manufactured obviously the option of buying and driving them on roads will not be possible thus helping us restrict growing air pollution.

The government should also take the chance of making diesel dearer in urban areas. This is important because the purpose of keeping diesel prices low is to help farmers but the truth is that this is not happening in day-to-day life. Instead, diesel is being consumed by urban commuters who are by far well-off than the farmers or their rural counterparts. No doubt the chances of misuse remain there but still the mass sale of diesel in metropolitan cities will come under control.

Pollution-free vehicles
Another way of controlling vehicular pollution is to encourage use of CNG (Compressed Natural Gas).

CNG-driven cars are said to be eco-friendly as they do not pollute air to that extent. Although CNG has found many takers its popularity remains far from satisfactory. Why is it that CNG cars are still not selling more? One factor is their pricing, second is availability of CNG and third is pricing of CNG itself. Sadly, the government has failed miserably on all these three fronts.

Smaller vehicles with CNG engine, in particular, would be more beneficial as majority of people prefer to buy such cars. If car companies are encouraged to manufacture small cars with CNG option certainly such vehicles will register higher growth and would help keep the air fresh and clean.

Impose Congestion Tax
The NGT is very correct in its observation that heavy vehicular traffic jam in Delhi and NCR also contributes significantly to air pollution in the region. It is well-known that Delhi tops the list of car sales in the country. In fact, according to a finding, Delhi alone constitutes double the number of cars combined in four metropolitan cities (Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Chennai).

When these vehicles come out on road they lead to traffic snarls and cause air pollution ultimately making the national capital unfit for breathing. It is again an irony that while the people of Delhi lead the race of buying cars they themselves fall in the risk zone as while driving they are the ones who get stranded in road congestion and inhale smoke billowed by surrounding vehicles.

Ideally a car is a family vehicle but the Delhi-ites take pride in projecting it as an individual mode of transport. Now-a-days a car has become the need of every member of the family and thus it is not uncommon to find two, three or four and even more cars in each family. Unless people realise that their prized possession is, in fact, a bane for them will only then they stop buying cars in such large numbers. But this could be possible only when the good sense would prevails over the minds of Delhi-ites. It would be better if people could find beter ways of spending money and not spend it all in car showrooms.

Before the people of Delhi wake to their mistakes is there any rule to control the amazing car-buying desire of Delhi-ites? Yes, why not. The government can allow people to buy at least one car. But laws can become stricter and stricter when it comes to purchasing second, third or fourth car without selling off previous cars. There could be higher tax for buying second car and this tax could go up with each successive purchase. Thus people will be discouraged to own two or three or more cars simultaneously. There may also be 'Congestion Tax' on people possessing three or more cars. In fact these are the richer people who increase the trouble for fellow citizens by spending all their wealth in buying one after another car. Afterall it is not the fault of those who own single vehicle and yet drive only when they must but such wealthy persons are entirely responsible for congestion on road who own large number of cars and that too in sizes that causes discomfort to others.

Public transport Vs Private transport
The National Green Tribunal favours greater use of public transport. Nothing wrong in it but do we have an efficient and smooth public transport system. Delhi got a breather when Metro was introduced but now travelling in it too is not less than a nightmare. Not only one has to cope with the heavy rush Metro services are having everyday trouble and the operations cannot be treated as smootha and error-free. Travelling in public buses is neither feasible nor comfortable. Moreover, when one has to travel with family or for special occasions buses or Metro is certainly not the answer and taxis or auto has its own set of problems.

When you do not have a dependable public transport system how can one curb ownership of private vehicle. Moreover there is a natural instinct in every human being to own a personal vehicle. Several decades ago it was a bicycle and today it is a car. As said earlier people may be allowed single ownership of cars but multiple ownership must be taxed heavily.

Battery Bicycles
The air pollution goes up all the more when people use cars and bikes for covering very small distances as well. Going to banks, buying vegetables or grocery, dropping children to schools etc are several small needs where one needs a personal vehicle but a car or a bike can certainly be avoided. Then what is the solution?

Well, there may be bicycles running on small batteries. When we can have battery-fitted cycle rickshaw pulling four to six people why can't we have bicycles fitted with small batteries! Such battery-driven bicycles would prove great mode of transport as they will save on fuel and will be fully 'green vehicles'.

There is great emphasis on using bicycles to meet our everyday needs. Unfortunates, despite its benefits and advantage bicycles do not find a place when we talk of personal mode of transport. It is good to talk about cycling but in extreme weather conditions found in our country it is not possible to use them all the time. This is perhaps the reason that bicycles have lost their value. If a small battery could be fitted at a little extra cost in existing bicycles then this pristine mode of transport will regain its lost glory in no time. Convenience combined with eco-friendly technology will make cycling more practical and will help it replace car and bike for smaller domestic chores.

My second opinion says that time has come for both, the people and the government, to take concrete steps to improve the quality of air in Delhi and NCR and leave behind the debate what should be done and what should not be done.
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NOTE

Also read other my other pieces:

Copy/ Paste the given links to reads these Blogs. 

1) BECOMING KEJRIWAL! (2019)
https://apurvaopinion.blogspot.com/2020/02/becoming-kejriwal.html

2) हवा ही है ज़हरीली (2019)

http://apurvarai.blogspot.com/2019/12/blog-post.html 

3) अब दिल्ली महानगरपाविका चुनाव (2017)

http://apurvarai.blogspot.com/2017/04/blog-post.html

4) Monsoon and Delhi Roads (2017)

https://apurvaopinion.blogspot.com/2017/07/monsoon-and-delhi-roads.html

5) Delhi Fights Pollution: Odds Come Again (2016)

https://apurvaopinion.blogspot.com/2016/04/delhi-fights-pollution-odds-come-again.html

6) Delhi Pollution: Fighting Odds to make Things Even (2016)

https://apurvaopinion.blogspot.com/2016/01/delhi-pollution-fighting-odds-to-make.html

7) Delhi Pollution- Check 'Green Agenda' of Builders (2015)

https://apurvaopinion.blogspot.com/2015/07/delhi-pollution-time-to-check-green.html

8) मैं और मेरी दिल्ली (2011)

http://apurvarai.blogspot.com/2011/11/blog-post.html