Month: May 2020

Modi’s Gujarat Model Blown Apart By A Virus

By Anita Katyal

How myths collapse when faced with reality! When Narendra Modi swept to power in 2014, his meteoric rise from chief minister to the national political stage was attributed essentially to the success of his Gujarat model of development which was touted to have transformed his home state into a living paradise. But six years later as India battles the Covid-19 pandemic, the Gujarat model of development is unravelling.

The fancy infrastructure in the state’s main urban centres, the uninterrupted power supply, the extensive road network and the flow of private investment have proved to be of little help in handling the rising number of novel coronavirus cases. 

For the record, Gujarat is among the top three states along with Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu which have the highest number of corona infections and deaths in the country. Till May 23, Gujarat had recorded a total of 13,300 coronavirus cases with a seven-day growth rate of 7.66 per cent and over 800 fatalities, second only to Maharashtra which tops the list. 

ALSO READ: What Rest Of India May Learn From Kerala

Unable to handle the corona crisis, Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani has consistently blamed the spread on the large number of Gujarati Muslims who travelled to Delhi in early March to attend a religious meeting of the Tablighi Jamaat, “a missionary movement”.

While this finger-pointing helps push the Bharatiya Janata Party’s communal agenda, the truth is that Gujarat is currently paying the price for its poor public health system. It is an acknowledged fact that successive state governments did not invest adequately in public health facilities. With the state showing little interest in this vital sector, it has been open season for private players whose medical services are more expensive and, therefore, beyond the reach of the poor. 

If Rupani is struggling today to manage the COVID-19 pandemic, Modi has to share the blame as he did little to ramp up the rickety health care infrastructure in the state during the 13 years he was chief minister.   

ALSO READ: Statism In The Time Of Pandemic

The budgetary allocation for the health sector in Gujarat can only be described as meagre. The state’s outlay for health and family welfare sector was Rs.923 crore for 2020-21, down from Rs.10,000 crore spent in 2018-19. These official figures tell their own story. Even states like Rajasthan and Bihar, which are not exactly known for their high-quality health infrastructure, have higher budgetary allocations for the public health care facilities.

In that case, what exactly is the famous Gujarat model of development all about?  This model is essentially focused on building infrastructure – from roads and highways to tall impressive buildings, and attracting foreign and domestic investments. During the years when Modi was chief minister, Vibrant Gujarat summits, were organised every alternate year to attract private investment to the state. This high-profile event was chalked up as Modi’s personal achievement as it brought in private investment to the state. This open invitation to industrialists to set up shop in Gujarat also won him the support of the corporate sector which literally went out on a limb to support Modi’s candidature as the BJP’s Prime Ministerial face in 2014.

But in the process of building infrastructure, encouraging industrial growth and promising ease of doing business, Modi failed to pay sufficient attention to human development which clearly did not figure as a priority area for him. The result was that while Gujarat made impressive gains on the economic front and registered high growth rates, its social indicators lagged far behind. 

ALSO READ: How Covid-19 Will Change Our Lives

The economic strides made by Gujarat were flouted as a success story, worthy of replication across the country. However, this was only half the story. It failed to tell you that the economic gains had not percolated down to benefit the larger mass of people and had instead been cornered by a small affluent minority. The vast majority continued to live in poor conditions with little access to quality health care or hygiene standards. Whether it is the health of children or the mortality rates of adults, Gujarat does not boast of a good record.  

Then again the Gujarat model has not been kind to the large army of migrant workers who have travelled from as far as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar Odisha and Rajasthan to work in the state’s industrial units or in the unorganised sectors. Since most of the migrants are poor and semi-literate and, unable to speak up for their rights. 

If it was not for the corona crisis, the plight of these migrant workers would have gone unnoticed. They have been living and working in pathetic conditions with the host state failing to acknowledge their contribution to Gujarat’s economy. Denied their wages during the lockdown and no proper food and shelter, angry migrant workers in Surat and Vadodara have staged angry protests, which have even turned violent on occasion, to demand food and a passage back home to their native village.

And if it was not for the COVID-19 pandemic, the myth about the Gujarat model of development would not have been busted. It took a miniscule virus to expose the underbelly of Gujrat model.

PM Announces ₹1,000-Cr Cyclone Relief For West Bengal

By LokMarg

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday announced Rs 1,000 crore relief package for West Bengal and Rs 2 lakh each for the kin of deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured in the destruction caused by cyclone Amphan.

He also announced Rs 500 crore cyclone relief package for Orissa.

“Rs 1,000 crore advance assurance will be given to West Bengal. Rs 2 lakh would be given to the next of kin of the persons deceased and Rs 50,000 each to the persons who got seriously injured due to the cyclone in parts of West Bengal,” said the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister said all aspects relating to rehabilitation, reconstruction will be addressed and the Centre will always stand with West Bengal in these testing time.

“We all want West Bengal to move ahead. Centre will always stand with West Bengal in these testing time,” he said.

The Centre will send a team to conduct a detailed survey about the damage caused due to the cyclone and the current situation of the affected areas of West Bengal.

Speaking about the aerial survey, which he conducted with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the Prime Minister said: “My thoughts are with all those who have lost their lives due to the cyclone. Centre and State are working together to provide all possible help to people. With the Governor and the Chief Minister, an aerial survey was done. They have also briefed me on the prevailing situation.”

Addressing the people of West Bengal, he said that the country is battling a COVID-19 pandemic on one hand and there is a cyclone situation in some parts. “Dealing with the pandemic requires social distancing whereas battling the cyclone requires people to move to safer areas. Despite these contradictions, West Bengal is fighting well. We are all with West Bengal in these adverse time,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi conducted an aerial survey of areas affected by cyclone Amphan in West Bengal.

The Prime Minister also conducted a review meeting in Basirhat with Banerjee, Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar and other state officials.

Announcing financial assistance of Rs 500 crore for Odisha after conducting an aerial survey, he said, “For the immediate need, the Government of India announces Rs 500 crore for Odisha, as a measure in advance. The Centre will further help Odisha government and make rest of the arrangements to come out of this crisis, after the complete survey and the formation of a rehabilitation plan.”

“The world is fighting a battle to save lives. In such a situation in India, all state governments, the Central government, and the people are engaged in the fight against COVID. In such a time, we had a super cyclone in some parts of India. This became very worrying. At the same time, thanks to well-established processes in Odisha, many lives were saved. I appreciate Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and his administration,” said Modi.

(ANI)

Sonia Smals Centre, Calls ₹20L-Cr Package A Cruel Joke

By LokMarg

Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Friday made a strong attack on the BJP-led government over its handling of the situation created by coronavirus, saying it has no exit strategy from lockdown, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement Rs 20 lakh crore package and subsequent details had turned out to be “cruel joke” and the ruling dispensation has embarked on a “wild adventure of so-called reforms including a grand clearance sale of PSUs and repeal of labour laws”.

In her opening remarks at the meeting of opposition parties through video conferencing, the first such meeting since the lockdown was announced in March, she said “the defining image” of the pandemic has been the lakhs of migrant workers, many with children, walking hundreds of kilometres, without money, food or medicines, desperate to reach their home states.

Leaders of 22 “like-minded” opposition parties including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda and NCP leader Sharad Pawar took part in the meeting. BSP and Samajwadi Party did not attend the meeting.

Gandhi said India was facing an economic crisis even before the first coronavirus cases were identified and demonetisation and “hasty and flawed” implementation of GST were among its main causes.

“The economic downturn began in 2017-18. Seven quarters of declining GDP growth was no ordinary event; it was unprecedented. Yet, the government carried on with its misguided policies and incompetent governance,” she said.

Noting that a number of renowned economists had predicted that 2020-21 will end with negative growth of up to minus 5 per cent, she said the “consequences will be catastrophic”.

“That the present government has no solutions is worrying, but that it has no empathy or compassion for the poor and vulnerable is heartbreaking,” she said.

Alleging that “the economy has been gravely crippled”, Gandhi said every economist of repute had advised an immediate need for a massive fiscal stimulus.

“The Prime Minister’s announcement on May 12 of a grand Rs 20 lakh crore package – and the Finance Minister spelling out its details over the next five days, have turned out to be a cruel joke on the country,” she said.

Noting that the WHO declared COVID-19 as a pandemic on March 11, she said the opposition parties expressed their full support to the government. “Even when the lockdown was imposed on March 24, with barely four hours’ notice, all of us supported the decision despite its suddenness and obvious unpreparedness of the government,” she said.

Gandhi said the “initial optimism of the Prime Minister that the war against the virus would conclude in 21 days has turned out to be misplaced”.

“It seems that the virus is here to stay until a vaccine is found. I am also of the view that the government was uncertain about the criteria for lockdowns, nor does it have an exit strategy. Successive lockdowns have yielded diminishing returns. The government also stumbled badly on the testing strategy and the import of test kits. Meanwhile, the pandemic continues to take its toll,” she said.

She accused the government of ignoring the poor, agricultural workers, retrenched workers, shopkeepers, large sections of MSMEs as also organised industries.

“Apart from the plight of the migrant workers, those who have been cruelly ignored include the 13 crore families in the bottom half of the population, namely – the tenant farmers and landless agricultural workers; the laid-off or retrenched workers and employees; the shopkeepers and the self-employed; the 5.8 crore out of the 6.3 crore MSMEs; and organized industries, including the large businesses, that drive our country’s growth,” she said.

Accusing the government of ignoring suggestions of opposition, she said many like-minded opposition parties had demanded that cash must be transferred to the poor, free grain must be distributed to all families and that buses and trains must be arranged for the migrant workers to go back to their homes.

“We emphasized that wage assistance and wage protection funds must be set up to protect the employees and the employers. Our pleas have fallen on deaf ears,” she said.

Gandhi said no consultation had been held with stakeholders on reforms being undertaken.

“Far from offering succour and support, the government has embarked on a wild adventure of so-called reforms including a grand clearance sale of PSUs and repeal of labour laws. There is not even a pretence of consultation with stakeholders or debate in Parliament. We deplore these unilateral moves,” she said.

Gandhi also alleged that the government has “abandoned any pretence of being a democratic government” and said there is no indication if Parliament or standing committees will be summoned to meet.

“All power is now concentrated in one office, the PMO. The spirit of federalism which is an integral part of our Constitution is all but forgotten. There is no indication either if the two Houses of Parliament or the Standing Committees will be summoned to meet,” she said.

ANI

Harsh Vardhan Takes Over As WHO Executive Board Chief

By LokMarg

Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on Friday took charge as chairman of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Executive Board.

The Executive Board comprises 34 technically qualified members elected for three-year terms. The chairman’s post is held by rotation for one year among regional groups. The main functions of the Board are to implement the decisions and policies of the Health Assembly and facilitate its work.

On the occasion, he said in a country of 1.35 billion people, there are only 0.1 million cases of COVID-19. “Today we have a mortality of 3 per cent only. In a country of 1.35 billion, there are only 0.1 million cases of COVID19,” said Dr Vardhan in his address after taking charge as the chairman of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Executive Board.

“India faced COVID-19 in a proactive and pre-emptive way, with unmatched scale and determination. The recovery rate is above 40and doubling rate is 13 days,” he added.

“I am aware I am entering this office at a time of global crisis on account of this pandemic. At a time, when we all understand that there will be many health challenges in the next two decades. All these challenges demand a shared response,” he said.

Dr Vardhan took up the new assignment at the 147th session of the WHO Executive Board, being held virtually.

WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus welcomed him for the new role: “I would like to congratulate and welcome Dr Harsh Vardhan on his election as the new chair. Dr Harsh Vardhan, you have a tough act to follow but I’m sure you will do it with the same energy and commitment as Dr Nakatani.”

Pak Int Airline Plane Crashes With 90 Passengers Onboard

By LokMarg

A Pakistan International Airline (PIA) aircraft with 90 passengers on board crashed in a residential area near the Karachi airport on Friday.

PIA spokesperson Abdul Sattar confirmed the crash and added that the flight — A-320 — was carrying 90 passengers and was flying from Lahore to Karachi.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has expressed shock over the plane crash in Karachi and assured that an immediate inquiry will be instituted.

“Shocked and saddened by the PIA crash. Am in touch with PIA CEO Arshad Malik, who has left for Karachi and with the rescue and relief teams on ground as this is the priority right now. Immediate inquiry will be instituted. Prayers and condolences go to families of the deceased,” he tweeted.

The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) aircraft A320 Airbus crashed in Model Colony near Jinnah international airport Karachi. It was carrying 90 passengers and eight crew members from Lahore to Karachi, Dawn reported.

Malik said that the pilot told the control room that there was a technical issue and he decided to go around rather than land even though two runways were ready for landing.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) for Information and Broadcasting, Asim Saleem Bajwa, said that on Prime Minister Imran Khan’s directions, all emergency services and resources have been mobilised and evacuation is in progress.

Director, Programming, 24 News, Ansar Naqvi and Bank of Punjab President Zafar Masood were among the passengers.

Masood’s family has said that he has survived the crash but is critically injured.

As the plane crashed in the populated area, the authorities have expressed concerns that there would be more casualties.

Sindh Governor Imran Ismail said: “The concern now is of casualties of people in the area. Rangers and rescue services have been sent, we are trying to save as many lives as possible.”

Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa expressed condolences over “loss of precious lives”. “[COAS] Shares grief of bereaved families in this difficult time. COAS directed provision of full assistance to civil administration in rescue/ relief effort,” said Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). (ANI)

‘Every Individual Can Help In Battling Covid-19’

By LokMarg

Pavan Jain of Yuva Unstoppable, an Ahmedabad-based NGO, has been on his toes distributing relief kits to the vulnerable during the lockdown. Jain says each citizen has a role in defeating the pandemic.  

Since the lockdown began, Amitabh Shah (the founder of our NGO) and I knew we had to stand up and do something to reach out to people in need. This is the time that we should work together with the government and state administration and help them in every way we can. Solidarity is our only hope in this fight against Covid-19 and keeping this in mind this, I started out initially on my own by distributing food packets and ration kits among the daily wagers and other less privileged people. 

Taking forward its vision of spreading kindness, Yuva Unstoppable launched many initiatives. One of such initiatives was to reach out to families of construction workers, police personnel and other vulnerable groups. We are thankful to organisations like Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) India who supported us wholeheartedly for the initiative.      

It was not easy. Procuring, delivering, distributing, monitoring and documenting the entire exercise of provision of more than 2,000 food and preventive kits and 2,000 hygiene kits to construction labourers and police personnel across different states of India – Gujarat, Haryana, Maharashtra – was a challenging task. The lockdown had made it worse, with sealed borders and disrupted supply chains.  But we took up the challenge as that was our only option.

ALSO READ: ‘They Built Our Homes, We Can’t Let Them Starve’

We could manage to find volunteers in all the states to carry out the relief work. Not only did we achieve what we had set out to do, but we did it with utmost precaution – social distancing, wearing masks and gloves, and obeying rules of law. We were lucky to get the support of law enforcement agencies and local authorities.

Pavan Jain distributing hygiene kits to Police personnel at Sabarmati Jail Ahmedabad

People who didn’t even know us, joined us and volunteered happily. People who were in need were also helping each other out, even though they did not have enough resources. Our volunteers and on-field staff came across many humbling and challenging realities while accomplishing this mission and it only made them more sensitive.

One of these days, as my friend and I walked in the scorching heat to deliver food kits among the needful in the city, we were moved by a differently-abled incense sticks (agarbatti) seller we met on the way. Even in these difficult times, he hoped to survive honestly by selling his incense sticks. When we approached him, he did not ask for any help, all he wanted was some water. 

He told us about himself. He lived in.a family of four and his father suffers from a neuron disorder, which makes his paltry income crucial for the family. The lockdown put a hiatus to his only source of livelihood. When we spoke to him, he had not received any aid from the government.

ALSO READ: ‘Children Carried Sacks On Head, I Couldn’t Sleep’

Then there was this eight-month pregnant woman, who we found on the streets. Clueless about the father of her unborn child, she had almost lost her sanity. Our volunteers immediately got her admitted to Ahmedabad Civil Hospital and also completed formalities of child registration in an orphanage keeping in mind the future.

Many homeless, malnourished, vulnerable men, women, children, are sleeping on an empty stomach every day, without a roof on their heads or shelter, increasing their risk of getting infected due to low resistance and immunity resulting from lack of adequate nutrition. A little act of kindness, in any form, goes a long way in making their lives a bit better.

We all have a role to play and contribute towards mitigating Covid-19. It is time we support people who are working on the frontline — our doctors, health workers, police personnel, emergency workers, delivery men, and bankers. Our community needs us too. Remember, if you have the passion to do something, you will definitely find ways to do it.

To donate for Covid-19 relief work, you can reach out to Charities Aid Foundation here: https://give4good.org.in/covid-19-donate

72 Killed As Cyclone Amphan Hammers Orissa, Bengal

By LokMarg

Seventy-two people have died in West Bengal due to cyclone Amphan, which struck the State on May 20, said Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured all possible help to the states and is likely to visit the affected areas on Friday.

Urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit the State to review the situation, Banerjee said during a video press conference: “Till now, 72 people have died due to cyclone Amphan. I announce a compensation of Rs 2.5 lakh each to the families of those who died in the cyclone.”

She further said, “I have never seen such a disaster before. I will ask Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit the State and see the situation.”

Earlier in the day, Modi tweeted, “My thoughts are with the people of Odisha as the state bravely battles the effects of Cyclone Amphan. Authorities are working on the ground to ensure all possible assistance to those affected. I pray the situation normalises at the earliest.”

In a subsequent tweet, he said, “Have been seeing visuals from West Bengal on the devastation caused by Cyclone Amphan. In this challenging hour, the entire nation stands in solidarity with West Bengal. Praying for the well-being of the people of the state. Efforts are on to ensure normalcy.”

Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba has also reviewed the situation in the cyclone-affected areas of Odisha and West Bengal with the states and Central Ministries/Agencies concerned.

Guidelines Issued Ahead Of Domestic Flights Resumption

By LokMarg

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has issued Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for airports as part of preparations for the recommencement of domestic commercial flight operations from May 25.

According to the SOPs, airports have been advised to ensure that passenger seating arrangement shall be done in such a manner so as to maintain social distancing among passengers using chairs by blocking those seats that are not to be used, with proper markers/tapes.

All passengers also must compulsorily be registered with the Aarogya Setu app on their phones as per the directives.

Apart from this, alternate check-in counters should be used to avoid congestion. The airport staff must be provided Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits, face masks etc, and should also be provided with hand sanitisers.

It has also asked all food and beverage (F&B) and retail outlets to be opened with COVID-19 precautions. Take-away to be encouraged to prevent crowding. Promote digital payments, self-ordering booths at F&B and retails outlets.

The state governments and local administration have been asked to ensure availability of public transport and taxis for providing connectivity to the airport for passengers, among other measures.

Earlier, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Wednesday said that domestic flight operations will resume from May 25 noting that all airlines and airports were ready but it is not viable to keep the middle seat vacant as it will lead to hike in the ticket price and prescribed social distancing norms would still not be met.

India’s aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had called a meeting with representatives of all airlines on Thursday morning to discuss the matter in respect of resumption of Domestic Civil Air Operations in a calibrated manner. (ANI)

Chinese Troops Hindering Normal Border Patrols: India

By LokMarg

Amid border tensions with China, India on Thursday termed as “inaccurate” any suggestion that its troops had undertaken activity across LAC in Western or Sikkim sector, noting that its troops fully abide by the alignment of the Line of Actual Control in the India-China border and it is the Chinese side that has undertaken activity hindering India’s normal patrolling patterns.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said that Indian side has always taken a very responsible approach towards border management while noting that the country is, at the same time, deeply committed to ensuring its sovereignty and security.

“Any suggestion that Indian troops had undertaken activity across the LAC in the Western Sector or the Sikkim sector is not accurate. Indian troops are fully familiar with the alignment of the Line of Actual Control in the India-China border areas and abide by it scrupulously,” Srivastava said.

“All Indian activities are entirely on the Indian side of the LAC. In fact, it is the Chinese side that has recently undertaken activity hindering India’s normal patrolling patterns. The Indian side has always taken a very responsible approach towards border management. At the same time, we are deeply committed to ensuring India’s sovereignty and security,” he added.

Srivastava also said that India remains firmly committed to work for the common objective of maintenance of peace and tranquillity in border areas.

“The Indian troops strictly follow the procedures laid down in various bilateral agreements and protocols to resolve any situations which may arise due to differences in perception of LAC. The two sides have established mechanisms to resolve such situations peacefully through dialogue. Both sides remain engaged with each other to address any immediate issues,” he said.

Earlier this week, China had accused India of crossing the “boundary line in the Galwan Valley region and entering into Chinese territory”, Global Times reported. It also reported that Chinese border troops have “enhanced control measures” after India’s “illegal construction” of defence facilities in Galwan Valley region of the disputed Aksai Chin area.

Srivastava said India remains firmly committed to work for the common objective of maintenance of peace and tranquillity in border areas which is an essential prerequisite to the further development of Indian-China bilateral relations.

“In accordance with the consensus reached in Chennai, the Indian side remains firmly committed to work for the common objective of maintenance of peace and tranquillity in border areas. This is an essential prerequisite to the further development of Indian-China bilateral relations,” he said.

In the last few days, India and China have held talks along the LAC to the ongoing stand-off in Galwan Nala area in Daulat Beg Oldie.

Despite talks, it has emerged that the Chinese helicopters have been coming close to the Indian patrolling point for the last few years now and they have also prepared road infrastructure right up to the border in their area.

The tensions between the two sides have been on for over two weeks now in Galwan Nala area over construction activities.

Troops of India and China were engaged in two face-offs in Eastern Ladakh and North Sikkim along the disputed Line of Actual Control where troops from both sides suffered injuries early this month. (ANI)

Recovery Rate In Covid-19 Cases Is 40%: Health Ministry

By LokMarg

A total of 3,002 COVID-19 patients have been reported cured in the last 24 hours and India’s total count of cured COVID-19 patients stands at 45,299, Health Ministry said on Thursday.

It said the recovery rate has improved to 40.23 per cent from 39.62 per cent a day earlier.

The total number of COVID-19 cases in India stand at 1,12,358 including 63,624 active cases, 3,435 deaths and one migrated. Of the active cases, only about 2.94 per cent are in ICU.

The case mortality rate in India is 3.06%, which is much lesser in comparison to the global case mortality rate of 6.65%.

A Health Ministry release citing an analysis said that 64 per cent of those who have died are males and 36 per cent are females.

In terms of age distribution, 0.5 per cent deaths are reported in less than 15 years age group, 2.5 per cent in 15-30 years age group, 11.4 per cent in people aged 30 to 45 years, 35.1 per cent in those between 45 to 60 years and 50.5 per cent in people above 60 years.

The release said that 73 per cent of death cases had underlying co-morbidities. Elderly people (above 60 years of age) and people having co-morbidities are identified as high risk groups for COVID-19.

(ANI)