What I see on the electronic media and what I read in the print media has confused me about ongoing activities. I'm one of the many ordinary, law abiding citizens of this country going through this dilemma and all I want is that my country should do well and be looked upon by the other countries as a place that they'd like to be in. For that to happen, we need to achieve greatness and greater accomplishments and hence, this doubt that has crept in. I'm gonna discuss a couple of specific cases - one at the national level and the other at the state level - below:-
(a) The black money issue.
During the last elections from what was being bandied about, a lot of unaccounted money has
been stashed away in foreign banks, over the years, that had the following characteristics:-
(i) it amounted to a few lakh crores
(ii) it was stashed away mainly by the wheeler dealers and the fixers from almost all walks of
life
(iii) some of it belongs to the high and the mighty who've done it to avoid paying taxes and to
maintain their 'lily white reputation'.
If this money were to be retrieved and brought back to the country, poverty would be a thing of the
past and the guilty, however 'mighty' they were, would be taken to task to set an example to the rest
and prevent further wrongdoings on this front!
Now they talk of the confidentiality clause regarding the account holders signed between various
countries and other strictures that are in place towards avoidance of double taxation etc.
My doubt.
Weren't the protagonists who talked of getting back the black money aware of these blocks
when they're promising us during the elections? Or were they just election rhetoric? Or is it
that there're a lot many, who owes allegiance to the ruling front, that figure in the list? And
don't tell me there are only 627 defaulters - the number of people who figure in the list in the
sealed envelope handed over to the court by the government!
A definite action is expected and without delay!
(b) The barring of bars in Kerala.
Towards bringing about complete prohibition in the state over the next ten years, a phased
closure of bars has been undertaken by the government. Judging by the numerous errors(?) in
implementation of the government's directives coupled with the frequent interventions by the
judiciary, it's amply clear that the political class is divided over the vexed issue. It's definitely
a winner among the women voters of Kerala, but prohibition is fraught with attendant problems.
It will bring about a mushrooming of illicit bootlegging and 'drinking havens' close to the borders
with the other states that would require strict monitoring and effective dealing.
Anyways, as per the latest orders of the High Court of Kerala, only 62 bars - 21 in five star
hotels, 33 in four star hotels and 8 in heritage hotels - are allowed to function in the state. This
will come into force, after a month, when 250 bars of the two star, three star and unclassified
varieties will shut down after the disposal of pending appeal petitions connected to the case.
Consequentially, the district of Wyanad will have no bars as there are no star hotels there! The
outlets of the Beverages Corporation, an undertaking of the state government will, however,
continue to operate!!
My doubt.
Is the government serious in bringing about a total ban? If it's affirmative, then why're there
so many errors creeping in when the directive should have been clear cut and unambiguous?
Tailpiece.
I suppose, the deviousness inherent in political decisions is something that I'll never be able to comprehend, being a layman!
(a) The black money issue.
During the last elections from what was being bandied about, a lot of unaccounted money has
been stashed away in foreign banks, over the years, that had the following characteristics:-
(i) it amounted to a few lakh crores
(ii) it was stashed away mainly by the wheeler dealers and the fixers from almost all walks of
life
(iii) some of it belongs to the high and the mighty who've done it to avoid paying taxes and to
maintain their 'lily white reputation'.
If this money were to be retrieved and brought back to the country, poverty would be a thing of the
past and the guilty, however 'mighty' they were, would be taken to task to set an example to the rest
and prevent further wrongdoings on this front!
Now they talk of the confidentiality clause regarding the account holders signed between various
countries and other strictures that are in place towards avoidance of double taxation etc.
My doubt.
Weren't the protagonists who talked of getting back the black money aware of these blocks
when they're promising us during the elections? Or were they just election rhetoric? Or is it
that there're a lot many, who owes allegiance to the ruling front, that figure in the list? And
don't tell me there are only 627 defaulters - the number of people who figure in the list in the
sealed envelope handed over to the court by the government!
A definite action is expected and without delay!
(b) The barring of bars in Kerala.
Towards bringing about complete prohibition in the state over the next ten years, a phased
closure of bars has been undertaken by the government. Judging by the numerous errors(?) in
implementation of the government's directives coupled with the frequent interventions by the
judiciary, it's amply clear that the political class is divided over the vexed issue. It's definitely
a winner among the women voters of Kerala, but prohibition is fraught with attendant problems.
It will bring about a mushrooming of illicit bootlegging and 'drinking havens' close to the borders
with the other states that would require strict monitoring and effective dealing.
Anyways, as per the latest orders of the High Court of Kerala, only 62 bars - 21 in five star
hotels, 33 in four star hotels and 8 in heritage hotels - are allowed to function in the state. This
will come into force, after a month, when 250 bars of the two star, three star and unclassified
varieties will shut down after the disposal of pending appeal petitions connected to the case.
Consequentially, the district of Wyanad will have no bars as there are no star hotels there! The
outlets of the Beverages Corporation, an undertaking of the state government will, however,
continue to operate!!
My doubt.
Is the government serious in bringing about a total ban? If it's affirmative, then why're there
so many errors creeping in when the directive should have been clear cut and unambiguous?
Tailpiece.
I suppose, the deviousness inherent in political decisions is something that I'll never be able to comprehend, being a layman!
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