"Nothing strengthens authority so much as silence."
—Leonardo da Vinci (Italian, 1452-1519)
Word
for the day
Sententious (adj)
Given to excessive moralizing; self-righteous.
Malice
towards none
The pendulum has
definitely swung to the other extreme.
We have reached at
a point where even blatant rights violation by men in uniform will have to go
unchallenged.
Anyone daring to
challenge will be trolled down to hell.
What is right and
what is wrong - who knows, and frankly who cares!
First random
thought this morning
Some ancient Hindu scriptures describe the desirable body
figure of a woman, to judge her health (fertility). Even today, millions of men
in South India apply talcum powder on their face to appear less dark. Many
North Indian middle class people almost mourn if a dark girl is born in their
families. I have seen some rich Bania families in Delhi, who happen to have
inherited dark skins, willing to forgo dowry, if their sons could attract a fair
skinned Punjabi girl so that they could have fair skinned grandchild.
So what the hell are we protesting on social media and
why are we threatening to arrest a book publisher, who might have unwittingly
printed the truths of our society.
Growth is a collective, consistent and continuous effort
·
North Eastern
Development Finance Corporation Ltd. (NEDFi), a development bank for the North
Eastern States of India.
·
The target under Indira Awas Yojna doubled from
4 lakh units annually to 10 lakh units annually.
·
A National Social Assistance Scheme is been proposed
to provide — (a) minimum old age pension of Rs.75 per month to BPL people above
65 years; (b) Rs5000 lump-sum survivor benefits to poor households, on the
death of the primary bread earner; (c) sustenance for pre-natal and post-natal
maternity care to women belonging to poor households for the first two births.
The social assistance package will be complemented by a new Group Life
Insurance Scheme of the LIC which will be implemented by Panchayats in rural
areas.
·
Mid day meal scheme being run by some state
governments has a beneficial impact on child health and attendance. Central
government should participate in expansion of mid day meal scheme.
·
Tenth Finance Commission (TFC) recommends a
substantial increase in transfers to the States. Despite the severe constraint
on the Centre’s resources, the Government has accepted the recommendations.
·
Establishment of IRDA is proposed.
·
Proposal to introduce legislation to establish
central depositories.
(Some of the proposals made in
the budget speech of Dr Manmohan in March 1995)
The setting up of the Unique
Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is a major step in improving
governance with regard to delivery of public services. This project is very
close to my heart. I am happy to note that this project also marks the
beginning of an era where the top private sector talent in India steps forward
to take the responsibility for implementing projects of vital national
importance. The UIDAI will set up an online data base with identity and
biometric details of Indian residents and provide enrolment and verification
services across the country. The first set of unique identity numbers will be
rolled out in 12 to 18 months. I have proposed a provision of Rs.120 crore for
this project.
(Proposal made by Sh. Pranab
Mukherjee in his budget speech February 2009)
An effective tax administration
and financial governance system calls for creation of IT projects which are
reliable, secure and efficient. IT projects like Tax Information Network, New
Pension Scheme, National Treasury Management Agency, Expenditure Information
Network, Goods and Service Tax, are in different stages of roll out. To look
into various technological and systemic issues, I propose to set up a
Technology Advisory Group for Unique Projects under the Chairmanship of Shri
Nandan Nilekani.
(Proposal made by Sh. Pranab
Mukherjee in his budget speech February 2010)
In my last budget speech I had advised Banks to provide
banking facilities to habitations having a population of over 2000 by March,
2012. The Banks have identified about
73,000 such habitations for providing banking facilities using appropriate
technologies. A multi-media campaign, “Swabhimaan”, has been launched to
inform, educate and motivate people to open bank accounts. During this year, banks
will cover 20,000 villages. Remaining will be covered during 2011-12.
(Proposal made by Sh. Pranab
Mukherjee in his budget speech February 2011)
·
Government has initiated an ambitious IT driven
project to modernise the postal network at a cost of `4,909 crore. Post offices
will become part of the core banking solution and offer real time banking
services. I propose to provide `532 crore for the project in 2013-14.
·
A comprehensive and integrated social security
package for the unorganised sector is a measure that will benefit the poorest
and most vulnerable sections of society. The package should include
life-cum-disability cover, health cover, maternity assistance and pension
benefits. The present schemes such as AABY, JSBY, RSBY, JSY and IGMSY are run by
different ministries and departments. I propose to facilitate convergence among
the various stakeholder ministries/departments so that we can evolve a
comprehensive social security package.
·
It is proposed to start a fund for urban housing
to mitigate the huge shortage of houses in urban areas. I propose to ask
National Housing Bank to set up the Urban Housing Fund and, in consultation
with RBI.
·
All scheduled commercial banks and all RRBs are
on core banking solution (CBS) and on the electronic payment systems (NEFT and
RTGS). We are working with RBI and NABARD to bring all other banks, including
some cooperative banks, on CBS and e-payment systems by 31.12.2013. Public
sector banks have assured me that all their branches will have an ATM in place
by 31.3.2014.
(Proposal made by Sh. P.
Chidambaram in his budget speech February 2013)
You would be wondering why I am
reproducing excerpts from the budget speeches made by various finance ministers
from the Congress Party in past 22years.
Well, I just want to highlight
three things:
1. Financial
Inclusion is the single largest reform that is taking place in India in past
25years.
2. This
reform is taking place irrespective of the form (minority or majority) and
constitution (single party or multi party alliance) of the government.
3. The
current regime has achieved remarkable success in implementing the programs.
The government has very ably demonstrated that intent is not sufficient. It
needs to be supplemented by strong execution capabilities. But, it cannot be denied
that the vision is collective, consistent and continuous, and this fact
nourishes the hope...to continue tomorrow
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