Great Leap Forward

Tamilnadu Chief Minister Selvi. J.Jayalalitha has made a large number of announcements on the floor of the Legislative Assembly for showing definite improvement both in economic and social development of the state.  The announcements made for the farming sector are indeed laudable.  The latest announcement is with regard to installation of 2,000 pump sets with solar energy at 80% subsidy to the farmers.  As a part of Second Green Revolution in the State of Tamil Nadu a subsequent announcement made is with regard to Drip Irrigation and Sprinkler Irrigation with 100% subsidy to small and marginal farmers and 75% subsidy to other farmers.  Probably, Tamil Nadu is the first state to introduce this scheme in the country (announcement under Rule No.110 of State Assembly).

As a former Agricultural Production Commissioner I only wish the scheme is properly conceived and executed with a flawless and transparent approach by the officials concerned.

Bonanza for Farmers

The Chief Minister Selvi. J.Jayalalitha announced a new scheme called ‘Farmer Protection Plan’ on September 10, 2011, to protect the interests of agriculturists and agricultural laborers including their family members. Under this scheme, the beneficiaries are those farmers directly involved in farming on 2.5 acres of irrigated land or 5 acres of unirrigated lands.

The age limit is between 18 and 65 yrs. both in the case of farmers and laborers. Identity cards have been distributed in different colours to different categories. Under this plan, the children of the beneficiaries are entitled to education allowance at different rates for different courses of study. In addition to educational assistance, the State Government has made provision for the marriage of their children, old age pension, maternity assistance and death (caused by nature or accident) allowance. Even funeral rites can be undertaken with the state assistance.

Under this plan, about 3 crore beneficiaries have been identified and  selected as members out of which as much as 72.40 lakh households  have received I.D. Cards.  It is reported that about 7.96 lakh beneficiaries have been supported with Rs.910.82 crore of financial aid.

It can easily be termed as Bonanza for the maximum number of farmers and agriculture laborers in the State of Tamil Nadu.

PM to boost mining in oppn- ruled states

                               Rajeev Deshpande has  (The times of India on March 3, 2013) reported that under pressure to energize the economy ahead of the 2014 election, the Manmohan Singh Government is reaching across political divides to rescue mining projects in opposition- ruled states of Goa, Odisha and Karnataka.

India is heading straight for economic failure post-Chidambaram’s budget as a direct result of the lack of meaningful economic reform, says the heritage foundation, an important conservative think tank in the US, Asserting "Finance minister, P.chidambaram’s budget" Derek Scissors of the Washington- based organization said that “leaves India on the same, failing course it’s been of undisciplined spending and unrealistic expectations”. 

“Without sustained reform process, which will take considerable time, India will not return to the days of fast growth”.              

It is indeed a tough task to provide leadership  with vigour and skill for a meaningful growth rate based on the economic reforms at this juncture.

Tamil Nadu to adopt Israel technology

During   an Israel-sponsored agriculture seminar, held in Chennai on Monday, March 19, 2012 the Consul  General of Israel Orna sagiv said that they had planned for three recycling projects in Tamil Nadu.  While two are meant for better grounding methods for cut vegetables, one is aimed at reusing waste water for agriculture. Israel also promised to set up several agro excellence centers for knowledge in Tamil Nadu.

According  to Rubinstein, water in Israel is subjected to three levels of treatment, making it good enough to  drink  but  is used  in agriculture.“ we are planning some-thing along those lines here, to begin with,” he said.  “In the next three years, 28 projects involving cut flowers, mangoes, dates, oranges and olives shall be carried out in eight states”.

Israel is coming forward to help this nation. But are we really serious and determined to take advantage of those offers of assistance? Any progress made in this area by now?       

India’s stake in Arctic Cold War

In an article under the above caption Shyam Saran, a former Foreign Secretary, has aptly raised the issue of the next Geo Political Battle Ground by the Individual States of respective nations having an interest in arctic region. When Antarctic region is being properly explored by several countries under the 1959 Antarctic Treaty, the arctic region is yet to be taken up for staking claims by several interested nations on 13 million sq.kms of mostly ice bound seas on the arctic circle comprising some 21 million sq.kms.  It is pointed out that the said Arctic region may hold over 40% of the current global reserves of oil and gas.  Other significant reserves of coal, zinc & silver are also a possibility.  Since the major portions of the Ice Mountains are melted, the tourism industry would also flourish. For instance, in 2010, over 50,000 tourists sailed the crystal waters of hitherto forbidden zone.  Shyam Saran correctly makes out a case for India to enter into all negotiations on the Arctic Ocean undertaken by the concerned and contesting nations under the UN Agenda. Sooner the better!