“

In a big relief to the consumers, the government has said restaurants billing `service charges’ in addition to taxes was optional. The move would make eating out cheaper. In a statement, the Department of Consumer Affairs under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, has said it was the discretion of the consumer whether or not to pay `service charge’ and described it as an unfair practice.

The Ministry said that a number of complaints from consumers have been received that hotels and restaurants are following the practice of charging ‘service charge’ in the range of 5-20%, in lieu of tips, which a consumer is forced to pay irrespective of the kind of service provided to him.

The Consumer Protection Act, 1986 provides that a trade practice which, for the purpose of promoting the sale, use or the supply of any goods or for the provision of any service, adopts any unfair method or deceptive practice, is to be treated as an unfair trade practice and that a consumer can make a complaint to the appropriate consumer forum established under the Act against such unfair trade practices.

In this context, the Department of Consumer Affairs, called for clarification from the Hotel Association of India, which said that the service charge is completely discretionary and should a customer be dissatisfied with the dining experience he/she can have it waived off. Therefore, it is deemed to be accepted voluntarily.

The Department of Consumer Affairs has asked the State Governments to sensitize the companies, hotels and restaurants in the states regarding aforementioned provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 and also to advise the hotels/restaurants to disseminate information through display at the appropriate place in the hotels/restaurants that the ‘service charges’ are discretionary/ voluntary and a consumer dissatisfied with the services can have it waived off.”

“

The Maternity Benefit Programme—a conditional cash transfer scheme for pregnant and lactating mothers—announced by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 31, 2016 – has been introduced in accordance with the provisions of Section 4(b) of National food Security Act, the government has said. The cash transfer would be Aadhaar-linked through the individual bank or post office account.

While the scheme has come into effect from January 1, detailed guidelines for implementation and monitoring of the scheme will be issued shortly, the Ministry of Women and Child Development said. Under the scheme, all Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers (PW&LM), those who are in regular employment with the Central Government or State governments or Public Sector Undertakings or those receiving similar benefits under any low for the time being are eligible. The cash incentive of Rs.6,000 will be payable in three instalments for the first two live births and in three phases. It is expected that annually about 51.70 lakh beneficiaries would avail of the benefit.

Expansion of MBP will have huge impact on the PW&LM as it will not only provide them compensation for the wage loss but will also provide them adequate nutrition and rest before and after delivery.  Mothers will have sufficient time to breastfeed the child during first six months of the birth.  Resultantly, it is expected that it will reduce mother mortality rate, IMR, under-nutrition and its adverse effects.

The Ministry said it was committed to ensure that every woman attained optimal nutritional status – especially from the most vulnerable communities as nutrition constitutes the foundation for human development.  This is all the more important during the period of pregnancy and lactation coupled with wage loss.  A woman’s nutritional status has important implications for her health as well as the health and development of her children.  

An under-nourished mother almost inevitably gives birth to a low birth weight baby. When poor nutrition starts in-utero, it extends throughout the life cycle, particularly in women. Owing to economic and social distress many women continue to work to earn a living for their family right upto the last days of their pregnancy.  Furthermore, they resume working soon after childbirth, even through their bodies might not permit it, thus preventing their bodies from fully recovering on one hand, and also impending their ability to exclusively breastfeed their young infant in the first six months.

The Scheme provides cash incentives to pregnant and lactating women for the wage loss so that the woman can take adequate rest before and after delivery; to improve her health and nutrition during the period of pregnancy and lactation; and to breastfeed the child during the first six months of the birth, which is very vital for the development of the child.

The first instalment of Rs 3,000 will be given in the first trimester of pregnancy after early registration of pregnancy and one ante-natal check-up. The second instalment of Rs 1,500 would be transferred at the time of institutional delivery and finally the three instalment will be three months after delivery after the child is registered and has received BCG, OPV and DPT-1 and 2 shots. 

The Maternity Benefit Programme is a Centrally sponsored scheme and the cost sharing between Centre and States is 60:40 for all the States and UTs (with legislature), 90:10 for NER (North-Eastern Region) and Himalayan States and 100% Central share for UTs without legislatures.  The total cost of the proposal for the balance period of 2016-17 and from 2017-18 to 2019-20 including Centre and State share is expected to be Rs. 12,661.00 crore.   Out of this, Government of India’s share for the balance period of 2016-17 ( Rs 584 crore) and from 2017-18 to 2019-20 (Rs 7348 crore) is expected to be  Rs 7932.”

“

The two main Left parties — CPI and CPI(M) — have welcomed the majority verdict of the seven-member Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court which held that the electoral process is a secular activity and religion can have no place in such an activity. The judgement of the Bench was by a majority of four to three.

The Polit Bureau of CPI(M) said in a statement that Chief Justice T S Thakur delivered a separate but concurring judgement which says: “…an interpretation that will have the effect of removing the religion or religious considerations from the secular character of the State or state activity ought to be preferred over an interpretation which may allow such considerations to enter, effect or influence such activities.”

The apex court was considering the interpretation of Section 123 (3) of the Representation of the People Act 1951.  Chief Justice Thakur says: “The sum total of Section 123(3) even after the amendment (1961) is that an appeal in the name of religion, race, caste, community or language is forbidden even when the appeal may not be in the name of the religion, race, caste, community or language of the candidate for whom it has been made.  So interpreted religion, race, caste, community or language would not be allowed to play any role in the electoral process and should an appeal be made on any of those considerations, the same would constitute a corrupt practice.””

“”There is a thin line that differentiates an appeal made to the electorate on these considerations by anybody on behalf of a candidate and on raising issues of injustices and discrimination emanating from these factors of religion, caste or language, which will arise in  the debate in an electoral process,” the CPI(M) noted in its statement. 

The dissenting judges held that though the Indian State is secular in character, the Constitution is not indifferent to issues of religion, caste or language.  They say: “The Constitution is not oblivious to the history of discrimination against and the deprivation inflicted upon large segments of population based on religion, caste and language.  Religion, caste and language are as much as a symbol of social discrimination imposed on large segments of our society on the basis of immutable characteristics  as they are of a social mobilization to answer centuries of injustices.  They are part of the central theme of Constitution to produce a just social order.”

It is necessary to clarify the difference between making an appeal on any of these elements for electoral gain or the defeat of an opponent candidate and the raising of issues of social discrimination and injustices.  The latter are essential elements of any electoral discourse for attaining social justice and cannot be prohibited.

“”The clarity on this is essential for strengthening the secular democratic  foundations of the Constitution and the electoral process,” the statement said. 

The Central Secretariat of the Communist Party of India hails the landmark judgment of the Supreme Court of India, on misuse of religion, caste and language to gain votes in the elections. The CPI said that the judgment should put an end to the long litigation used by some vested interests on the issue. The judgment clearly termed misusing of religion, caste or language comes under the clause of corruption. It has rightly described the religious belief as a personal issue between the persona and his/her God.

The judgment will strengthen the core values of the Indian Constitution, secularism and democracy. The party urged the Election Commission of India to suggest necessary amendments for proper implementation of it and disqualification of candidates and parties misusing the religion/caste/language.

Those parties which do not have socio, economic and political policies try to misuse the religion and caste while after coming to power, carry on pro-corporate, anti-people policies. People should be vigilant and utilise the Supreme Court judgment as a weapon to fight against such elements, it noted.”

“

The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued notice to the Bar Council Of India (BCI) on a petition filed by two law aspirants challenging the maximum age limit of 20 years for taking admission to the 5-year integrated law degree. 

Senior Advocate Sanjay Hegde and Advocate on Record Zoheb Hossain (both appeared pro-bono) argued that Clause 28 of Legal Education Rules, 2008,  which restored the maximum age limit of 20 years for taking admission to the 5-year integrated law degree, was arbitrary and unlawful. Advocate Hegde submitted that the new stipulation violates the fundamental rights of aspiring law students under Articles 14, 19(1)(g) and 21 of the Constitution. 

After hearing, a two-judge bench comprising Justice Dipak Misra and Justice Arun Mishra issued notice to the BCI, returnable in four weeks. Though the bench has not stayed the operation of the rule, gave liberty to the petitioners to mention the matter for interim relief, if necessary. The petitioners submitted that conflicting judgments were passed by different high courts in writ petitions challenging the validity of Clause-28 and, therefore, the interference of Supreme Court is necessary to ensure that there is certainty in the lives of students and consistency and uniformity in the approach of the BCI in this matter. 

The petitioners pointed out that the said clause was held to be ultra vires the provisions of the Advocates Act, 1961, by the High Court of Punjab & Haryana in Rajan Sharma v. The Bar Council of India and the High Court of Bombay in Yasmin E Tavaria v. Union of India, respectively. However, a conflicting view has been taken by the High Court of Madras in  M. Santhosh Antony Vareed v. The Registrar, Tamil Nadu Dr. Ambedkar Law University, Chennai, wherein the high court upheld the upper age limit of 30 years for admission to the 3-year bachelor degree course in law. 

About the author: PCI Babai is a Delhi based practicing hack, a cynic to core.”

“

Chief Justice of India, TS Thakur retired on Tuesday  amid much fanfare, completing his tenure of a little over a year at the top of the judicial pyramid.

Supreme Court lawyers gathered to bid farewell to the judge who pronounced significant decisions such as outlawing religion based politics, clarifying the law on seminal issues such as entry tax and refusing to be strong armed by institutions such as the BCCI. The soiree was organised by the SCBA in the Supreme Court lawns.

The evening witnessed an impressive turnout of judges, both past and present. Former CJI AM Ahmadi and Justice (Retd.) Anil R Dave were also in attendance. Interestingly, Justice Jasti Chelameswar, who has been abstaining from the Collegium meetings was not present for the function. Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, who was present at the event, bid farewell to CJI Thakur in a heart warming speech.

Chief Justice designate Justice JS Khehar was at his wittiest during the evening, proceeding to indulge the audience with several personal anecdotes, including an incident where CJI Thakur once bought two Harris Tweed jackets because he had nothing to do at a New York airport and couldn’t resist the discounts.

The audience was regaled with delightful couplets by all who spoke at the event, as a nod to the Chief Justice’s own love for poetry. The newly elected office bearers of the SCBA testified to his commitment to ensure better facilities for all the members, such as the opening of the litigants’ canteen and the renovation of the library and the ladies bar lounge, all of which were done within the stipulated time.

Justice Thakur only chose to pass on a few words of wisdom, such as his thoughts on senior designations and the race to become a judge. He noted, Ã¢Â€ÂœOf late, I have seen a race to become a judge or a senior advocate. But these distinctions must come to you uninvited. If you truly are capable, wait and let them chase you.” On the accolades he received for writing judgments of far reaching impact, he said, “I don’t have much to say about the judgments I have handed out or delivered. But they might remind you of me later. Judges are remembered through their judgments.” He went on to thank everyone who had been a part of his journey.

Justice JS Khehar will take oath as the 44th Chief Justice of India on Wednesday and will be the first from the Sikh community to hold the post.

About the author: PCI Babai is a Delhi based practicing hack, a cynic to core.”

“

Vice-President M. Hamid Ansari on Wednesday said that former President Dr. A.P.J. Kalam was a “”man of technology”” who not only contributed to the progress of defence research organisations but had a way with younger people and motivated them.

Speaking after releasing the book “The People’s President A P J Abdul Kalam’’, written by S,M. Khan who had served as Press Secretary to Dr. Kalam during his presidency from 2002-2007, the Vice President said the book presents an insider’s account and is an important document chronicling different aspects of Dr. Kalam’s life. “Dr. Kalam always showed an eagerness to reach out to the younger generation and students,’’ he said.  It was in July last year that Dr. Kalam collapsed and died following a massive heart attack while delivering a lecture in Shillong. Ironically, he breathed his last among young students whom he much adored and loved to spend his time interacting with them and teaching them to keep their dreams alive and realise them. 

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley described Dr. Kalam as an “”unconventional President’’ with an “”unconventional mind”” who always had a vibrant air of positivity around him. “He was not cynical and exuded positiveness and was very positive about India’s bright future and wanted to see India as a developed nation by 2020,’’ the Finance Minister said.

Mr. Jaitley also recalled his numerous interactions with Dr. Kalam during his presidential tenure at Rashtrapati Bhavan, saying his style and simplicity charmed the people. He recalled Dr. Kalam’s interaction with students in Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) in Delhi University when moments after emarking in his car he rushed back for an impromptu photo session with the 20 students who had asked him questions. “”Such was his simple and spontaneous nature and unconventional approach as President,”” he recalled.

Another interesting anecdote, Mr. Jaitley said, pertained to the dissolution of the Lok Sabha in 2004 by the then Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. Mr. Jaitley said that he and the Attorney-General Soli Sorabjee had to spend quite some time with Dr. Kalam answering his queries relating to Constitutional provisions. He described Mr. Khan, the author, as a balanced, fair, conscientious and committed civil servant who has served in different capacities in the Indian Information Service and is currently Registrar General of Newspapers in India (RNI).

Mr. Khan said that he had made an attempt in the book to pen down various facets of Dr. Kalam’s life during his tenure in Rashtrapati Bhavan. Dr. Kalam was an inspiration for scientists and it was his vision of the series of missiles that produced Agni, Prithvi, Trishul and Nag, Mr. Khan recalled.

“Dr. Kalam’s accessibility and generous humanism made him immensely popular among people. He developed a grip over legal, judicial and constitutional issues. He was the first President to have returned a bill to the Lok Sabha for reconsideration under Article 111 but when Lok Sabha sent it back to him, he took just a few days to sign it and did not sit over it,’’ Mr. Khan said.

He narrated an incident when a student asked him about population growth in the country. “I am innocent. I have not added to the population,’’ was Dr. Kalam’s witty reply . However, later he explained the problem in detail. Another question which he faced often was about the highlight of the Indian civilization to which his answer used to be “”real open mind, tolerant mindset and pluralism,””, Mr. Khan reveals in the book which is replete with many such instances.

While Dr. Kalam was at ease with students and children, he also enjoyed his breakfast sessions with MPs in Rashtrapati Bhavan. He studied Quran and Gita with equal ease and attention and also played Veena.”

“

According to the Global Coalition Against Childhood TB (GCACP), pneumonia is the most deadly infectious illness for children under age five worldwide. From 2000 to 2015, the annual death toll from childhood pneumonia decreased from 1.7 deaths annually to 920,000 in 2015. While this is progress, approximately 2,500 children still die from pneumonia every day. This amounts to 16 percent of all child deaths.

Children all over the globe are affected by pneumonia, but a 2012 study found that low- and middle-income nations bear the largest burden: less than 1% of childhood deaths occur in developed countries and over 90% of deaths in children under-5 years of age occur in south Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Fifty percent pneumonia deaths occur in India.

Pneumonia has a number of bacterial, viral, and fungal causes. The illness can be caused by bacteria and viruses already present in the body, or it can be transmitted from an infected person through droplets in the air following a cough or sneeze; or through blood, such as during childbirth. During an infection, the lung’s alveoli—small sacs that inflate with air when a person breathes—fill with pus and fluid. Breathing becomes labored and difficult, limiting oxygen intake.

Other symptoms include: Retraction rather than expansion of the chest during inhalation; fever, sweating and shaking chills; cough, which may produce phlegm; diarrhea and vomiting; and fatigue. Pneumonia is both preventable and curable. Encouraging exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months of life, which helps to develop a naturally strong immune system in a child, and adequate nutrition and vitamin A supplements help ensure a healthy immune system, says Dr Ajay Mishra, Director and Head of Paediatrics, Nelson Hospital, India.

In addition, affordable and effective interventions like vaccines, antibiotics, hand-washing and breastfeeding have proven track records and immediate impacts. As far as prevention is concerned, providing immunisation against Haemophilusinfluenzae type b, pneumococcus, measles and whooping cough, for example, is an effective means of preventing pneumonia.

The Global Coalition Against Childhood Pneumonia estimates that increased vaccine coverage in the world’s 73 poorest countries could avoid 2.9 million deaths and 52 million cases of infection attributable to the disease. Economically, such a move would avoid $51 billion dollars in health costs and productivity losses.

More than half of childhood pneumonia deaths are caused at least in part by indoor household pollution, such as that caused by certain cook stoves. WHO recommends amoxicillin dispersible tablets as the only firstline treatment for children under age five diagnosed with pneumonia, costing about $0.21-0.42USD per treatment.

Health workers can use a pulse oximeter to assess the level     of oxygen in the blood and provide lifesaving oxygen therapy. Improving access to health services, along with other cost-effective health care strategies such as integrated case management, are essential to controlling the disease. Only 60% of caregivers seek out adequate care for suspected pneumonia cases, and only one-third of pneumonia cases are addressed with the proper antibiotic treatment.”

“

The Election Commission has announced the election schedule for five States which are scheduled to go to the polls from next month. These are Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Manipur, Goa and Punjab. With this announcement, the code of conduct is now in place.

The first phase of polling will begin from February 4 and the last on March 8 while results would be announced on March 11. In the first phase, Goa and Punjab will poll for 40 and 11 Assembly seats respectively. Entire Uttarakhand will go to polls In the second phase on February 15 for 70 seats while polling in Manipur is scheduled in two phases on March 4 and March 8 for electing 60 MLAs. It is Uttar Pradesh which will elect its 403 MLAs in seven phases beginning February 11 to March 8, Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi told reporters.

In order to maintain the secrecy of vote at the time of poll and uniformity in use of voting compartments, the Commission has issued revised instructions to increase the height of the Voting Compartments to 30 inches. It has been, further, directed that the Voting Compartment should be placed on a table whose height shall be 30 inches and only corrugated plastic sheet (flex-board) of steel-grey colour, which is completely opaque and reusable, shall be used for making the voting compartment, he said.

The Commission has directed that in areas where women folk feel inhibited in mingling with male members because of some local custom or social practice, a separate polling station for women can be provided after getting approval of the Election Commission. Further, in big villages, if two polling stations are to be provided for the village, one may be provided for male electors and the other for female electors. In polling stations provided exclusively for women electors, polling personnel also should normally be women. When separate polling stations are provided for men and women of a particular polling area, these should as far as possible be located in the same building for general convenience.

 As part of its firm commitment towards gender equality and greater constructive participation of women in the electoral process, the Commission has also directed that, to the extent possible, ‘All Women Managed Polling Stations’ shall be set up in each Assembly Constituency where the entire polling staff, including the police and security personnel, shall be women.

The Commission has issued instructions to ensure that as far as practicable, all polling stations are located at ground floor and sturdy ramps are provided for the convenience of differently-abled electors with wheel-chairs. Further, in order to provide targeted and needbased facilitation to differently-abled voters, the Commission has directed that all Persons With Disabilities (PwDs) in an Assembly Constituency are identified and tagged to their respective Polling Stations and necessary disability-specific arrangements made for their smooth and convenient voting experience on the poll day. Also, it has been directed that differently-abled electors are given priority for entering polling booths, provision made for designated parking spaces close to the entrance of polling premise and special care to be provided to electors with speech and hearing impairment. Special focus has been laid for the sensitization of the polling personnel regarding the unique needs of the differently-abled, the Chief Election Commissioner said.

 The Commission has instructed that, as far as practicable, separate auxiliary polling stations will be set up inside the Blind Schools for ease and facilitation of voting by the inmates. Also, the staff of such schools itself shall be deployed as polling personnel for this polling station.

In these elections, a Voter Guide Brochure (in local languages) shall be handed over to every household ahead of the elections, giving information about the date and time of polls, contact details of the BLOs, important websites, helpline numbers, documents required for identification at the polling station besides other important information including the Do’s and Dont’s for voters at the polling station. This Voter Guide Brochure will be distributed along with the Photo Voter Slips by the BLOs.

The Commission has directed that if a leprosy sanatorium is located within the constituency, then, if possible, a polling station may be set up at the sanatorium for the benefit of the inmates and sanatorium staff may be appointed as Presiding and Polling officers of the polling station. On the Balloting Unit, below the name of the last candidate, there will now be a button for NOTA option so that electors who do not want to vote for any of the candidates can exercise their option by pressing the button against NOTA. The Commission has provided a new symbol for the NOTA option, which was designed by National Institute of Design (NID). This new symbol will facilitate the voters in casting of their votes, Mr Zaidi said.

In order to facilitate the electors in identifying the candidates, the Commission has prescribed an additional measure by way of adding provision for printing the photograph of candidate also on the ballot to be displayed on the EVM (Ballot Unit) and on Postal Ballot Papers. This will also take care to avoid likely confusion when candidates with same or similar names contest from the same constituency. For this purpose, the candidates are required to submit to the Returning Officer, their recent Stamp Size photograph as per the specifications laid down by the Commission. Many of the poll-bound states will be using the photograph of the candidates on the ballot papers for the first time. Instructions have also been issued to ensure necessary publicity of this instruction

 As per the revised ceilings, the maximum limit of election expenses for the Assembly Constituencies is Rs. 28 lakh per candidate for the states of Punjab, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh and Rs. 20 lakh per candidate in Manipur and Goa.”

“

President Pranab Mukherjee delivered New Year Message to the Governors/Lt. Governors through Video Conferencing from Rashtrapati Bhavan  on Thursday. 

Addressing the Governors/Lt. Governors, the President said that demonetization, while immobilizing black money and fighting corruption, may lead to temporary slowdown of the economy. “”We all will have to be extra careful to alleviate the suffering of the poor which might become unavoidable for the expected progress in the long term,” the President said. 

Mr. Mukherjee said while he appreciates the thrust on transition from entitlement approach to an entrepreneurial one for poverty alleviation, he is not too sure that the poor can wait that long. They need to get succour here and now, so that they can also participate actively in the national march towards a future devoid of hunger, unemployment and exploitation.

The President said this year, there will be elections in as many as seven states and the dates for elections in five states have already been announced. The conduct of free and fair elections has made our democracy one of the most vibrant in the world. Elections reflect the attitudes, values and beliefs of the people towards their political environment. They symbolize the sovereignty of the people and provide legitimacy to the authority of the government. They also serve the purpose of regulation of public policies and mobilization of public opinion.

The President said as we have all experienced, elections are usually marked by competitive populism, electoral rhetoric and vote bank politics. Governors and Lt. Governors through their interaction and wise counsel can play an important role in easing the tensions in the society. Goodwill must prevail between different communities. 

“”In a pluralistic democracy like ours, tolerance, respect for contrary views and patience are a must. These values have to be preserved. The multiplicity in culture, faith and language is what makes India special. Governors/Lt. Governors can, through their calm influence, inculcate amongst the citizens of their state this fundamental ethos of our civilization,” he said.

The President said the Governors/Lt. Governors have a very important role to play in the improvement of higher education in their states. As chancellors and visitors of various universities, they can work with the academic leaders to effect holistic changes for quality up-gradation in the institutions of higher learning. 

Recalling his  interactions at the conferences at Rashtrapati Bhavan, he said that these have yielded several positives in areas like: faculty sourcing and development; ICT for pedagogic refinement; research and innovation; industry-academia interface; and alumni involvement. 

The President said that Governors/Lt. Governors can have a major role in promoting art and culture in their respective states. With art and culture, we can experience life in its fullest and most meaningful form.”

“

Demonetisation has not made a significant dent in curbing black money even after the 50-day grace period sought by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. At the same time to soften the blow, he offered on New Year’s eve a number of relief and welfare measures for different sections of the people. Significantly, his address to the nation on December 31 skipped claiming success about the big ticket demonetisation launched on November eight. Though it lacked the desired planning causing immense hardship to the people in withdrawing their own money from banks, it cast a big burden on the banks. 

Experts believe while tax collections are likely to depend on how the economy absorbs the financial shocks, the Prime Minister’s handouts will test fiscal discipline. What has been perplexing is the repeated chopping and changing of rules which confused not only the customers but also the bankers. 

The focus should now be on getting adequate cash into the banking system to restore normalcy affected adversely by withdrawing 86 per cent of currency in circulation. 

It has become imperative to restore confidence in the economy through carefully thought out strategies rather than acting on impulse. What cannot be lost sight of is the exemplary cooperation and patience displayed by the people which the Prime Minister has acknowledged in ample measure. 

Modi made a multitude of pledges since he began campaigning in the run up to the April-May general elections in 2014. This year might turn out to be the most challenging for him requiring the reform to materialise having raised high expectations.  

He has made certain announcements to keep the people enthused but not one of his multitude of pledges have materialised so far including bringing all the black money into the country. The honeymoon period for any Head of Government usually lasts 30 to 36 months which is fast catching up with Modi. 

Assembly elections in five states will be held in less than a month in February-March which might well be referendum on Modi’s demonetisation. The results will be known on March 11. The crucial assembly election is in Uttar Pradesh which might turn out to be a do or die battle for the Prime Minister having a bearing on the next general elections in 2019. 

People are wondering if Modi is periodically making major announcements to keep the attention focussed on himself. He has failed so far to bring back the black money stashed away in banks abroad and in tax havens or generating employment.   

There is no doubt tackling black money and fighting the scourge of poverty are extremely important issues. This can only be achieved with proper planning coupled with sustained implementation of various poverty alleviation programmes.  Therefore, people are wondering if demonetisation is another political gimmick or above that. 

The functioning of Parliament has also been affected with the ruling BJP led NDA at the Centre accusing the opposition of supporting corruption. It is no secret that all political parties take recourse to black money particularly in fighting elections. In the circumstances it is widely felt that reforms must necessarily begin with political parties curbing the use of black money. They also need to put an end to allegedly spending far in excess of the limit stipulated by the Election Commission of India, a creation of the Constitution vesting with conducting free and fair elections in the country. 

The prospects of “”acche din aane wale hai”” has proved to be hollow and elusive so far with the ruling coalition at the Centre having completed half its five-year term. Modi’s oft repeated theme of vikas or development — “”sab ke saath, sab ka vikas”” — has also fallen flat. All the governments since independence have failed to come to grips with the real issues and concerns of the poor. 

Again a section of economists reason there is no correlation between demonetisation and the generation of black money; demonetisation and corruption; and demonetisation and counterfeit currency/terrorism. Demonetisation is neither a necessary nor a sufficient condition to achieve the above mentioned objectives. 

Nonetheless, demonetisation may create some temporary deterrent in the minds of the people who are indulging in corruption and generation of black money.

The role of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cannot be overlooked as it is constitutionally charged with the responsibility of managing the currency of the nation. It had a crucial role to play in the wake of demonetisation but it failed. There is no doubt the RBI could have advised the government better, smoothened the process and ensured the problem to the common man was minimised. This is one organisation that is protected well enough to be independent.  (Ends)

(T R Ramachandran is a senior journalist and commentator. The views are personal.)”