C'da,
>So, your gripe is with pointing fingers at GoI.
Not at all. But when we do so, it might be fair to point some of those fingers inward - toward Assam as well. We do need to have some sense of introspection.
>But GoA derives its existence and its powers from Goi's doings and in its image
That is one fine way of avoiding responsibilties and giving Assam a pass. Yes, in the present system, Assam, like every other state, depends on Central funds or laws for continuing its governance. You may not like the system, and that is OK, but given that all states go thru the same thing, why is it that states like Assam & Bihar are clubbed togther and often cited as inefficient states?
But we have seen - time and again, funds to Assam are grossly mis-appropriated, and the left over funds that could not be, are returned to the Central pool. There is probably little accounting for the Centrally allocated funds, but probably no accounting for state collected funds like sales tax or duties.
Politicians and the powerful in Assam (for all the drumbeatings) have little or no integrity left. The state is one of the most corrupt. One person, I talked to said proudly, defending the 'State of the State' this way " nohoi, aaji kali kisu kaam hoi - aagote, 80% poisa khai diya, kintu, aaji kali, 60% man khai".
As I said earlier, it is pretty common to hear people say that NO ONE that is anyone is Assam is really interested in solving her problems. If problems are solved, the revenue sources dry up. Thats not good!
The Center too is NOT interested, because - heck the state representatives don't really care, so why should they. They can go pay attention to some whining state like Bihar. Whatever is said in public is usually for the birds.
There are very, very few powerful people left who are actually thinking about the state and her people (and not themselves). And even if some of them may see independence as a solution, at least one can attest to their integrity and selflessness.
So, it really doesn't matter WHAT type of Govt. there is at the Center. The %age of poisa khua may reduce a little, but khobo kintu thik! Just a matter of degrees!
That is the express reason, why the GOA's feet must be held to the fire. Going around Guwahati, one finds dilapidated roads, buildings and amenities. Most of the places resemble big slums. Even institutions like the Gauhati University, which we were so proud of, show signs of continual neglect and decay.
The GU professors don't get paid on time (they get paid around the 10th or 15th). On pay days -there is huge rush at the bank - its like first come first serve (if you come last, you may not get paid).
School teachers are not paid sometimes for months or even years. College teachers and government employees get paid every so often. So, why would we expect govt. employees tecahers etc to work, when the chances of them getting paid are slim. Their only pickings are 'bhaira poisa' - and why NOT? And for teachers, it is 'tuition'. Bhaira tuition is big business these days. Talking to some teachers, one told me, that the big thing is to somehow get a teacher sakori, (preferably 'subject teacher' even if it pays low (RS. 1500 or so) at the begining. But once in, the teacher can make big money by tuition only. Once entrenched, all they have to do is show up for a couple of hours.
Bottomline is we can paint a GENERAL picture that the system of govenance needs to be changed (more power to states etc). That may actually be very good for some states, who are performing wonderfully even though they have the same handicap - the central governance.
But for a state like Assam, such a change may actaully push it into some deep chasm.
IMHO, Assam first needs to show that IT CAN manage its own affairs efficiently. She should be able to show that corruption and inefficiency is eradicated. Our people should be able to demand more from their representatives, and not sit by taking whatever is dished out. Yes, everyone can play a positive role and make the state a much better place.
And then, we can all hold our heads high and tell the GOI and the Center to take a hike and ask them to follow the example we have set. Until then, I don't we have much of a leg to stand on.
--Ram
On 1/1/06, Chan Mahanta <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Ram, Ram, Ram!
So, your gripe is with pointing fingers at GoI. You are the designated GoI defender. Not that it was hard to notice, but I am perfectly willing to point to GoA too. But GoA derives its existence and its powers from Goi's doings and in its image. If GoA could be re-oriented, and Assam could be administered without a say so from GoI, with its own resources, I will be perfectky willing to hold GoA's feet to the fire and leave GoI the heck alone, leaving you without a client :-).
But unfortunately it does not work that way Ram.
>No, when required the Center's feet too must be held to the fire. But we have >to be fair.
*** I, know it will be futile to profess my sense of fairness to you, so I won't. But what is it that you see in my views to be UNFAIR to the oh-so- innocent victim here, your GoI :-)? If you give some examples I will be pleased to explain, as best as I can.
> We have to be able to list and know what the responsibilites are for the >State, politicians, its people, and others.
*** You go at it. I will play with you. Tell us where you see me pointing fingers at the wrong entities, and either I will accept it or show you how you are mistaken.
Shall we?
c-da
At 2:56 PM -0600 1/1/06, Ram Sarangapani wrote:C'da,>*** If indeed they are the competent, intellectually endowed politicians and administrators and with >nothing but integrity oozing out of them and nothing but the good of Assam that drives their >actions and inactions,No, they are not competent all the time, specially vis-a-vis Assam. But they are NOT the ONLY ones fop the blame. We have seen numerous instances where the GOI comes forward with ideas and resources, and the GOA is the one that drops the ball or is in some sort of inertia.If blame has to be placed, we ought to be able to assign some generous proportion to the GOA, the politicians, intellectuals, insurgents and unscruplous business in Assam too. It can't be the Center all the time, every time.I say this - because the Center cannot be Assam-centric. All states are under the same anvil vis-a-vis their relationship with the Center. Some have fared better than others - and some of these better faring states are not within the Hindi-wallah belteither.>*** Hey I will be the first to give them a wide berth. So show us what they are doing to be left the >hell alone, to be given a free pass like you imply they deserve but we don't.No, when required the Center's feet too must be held to the fire. But we have to be fair. We have to be able to list and know what the responsibilites are for the State, politicians, its people, and others.--Ram
On 1/1/06, Chan Mahanta <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>Not fair, C'da.
*** OK, then let us see below.
>The GOI and India has always been found fault with on this net. Going thru >those mails over the years, one would come the conclusion that there are NO >intellectuals left in the GOI, and that they are incompetent, useless and >corrupt. One may also come to the conclusion that the GOI need look no further >- but to Assamnet for ideas and intellect.
*** If indeed they are the competent, intellectually endowed politicians and administrators and with nothing but integrity oozing out of them and nothing but the good of Assam that drives their actions and inactions, then how come you or Rajen are including them in the list of the defaulters and charging them with doing NOTHING about what YOU GUYS see as its problemo numero uno, huh :-)?
What gives?
My guess would be that it is a 'bere-saale'-kwbwa' exercise. And if I am wrong do correct me please. What?
>One may also come to the conclusion that the GOI need look no further - but to >Assamnet for ideas and intellect.
*** Hey I will be the first to give them a wide berth. So show us what they are doing to be left the hell alone, to be given a free pass like you imply they deserve but we don't.
>Be that as it may - it is essential (to be truthful to ourselves) that we keep >discussing such issues - both pros & cons.
*** While I am with you on that, I still am looking forward to YOUR answers from that role-playing task of Dr. Tilok's where I hope YOU and other nay-syers would EXPLAIN how what I proposed may WORK, and if in your intellectually honest effort you only find that see it WON't work, and things as they are ought to remain.
Now that will be something you can beat us trouble-makers up with impunity Ram.
So go at it .
c-da
At 12:16 PM -0600 1/1/06, Ram Sarangapani wrote:
C'da,>You already listed everyone else as not worried, bothered, troubled or otherwise disturbed, having >discovered it at that EUREKA moment.It is not really an eureka moment. This fact that 'everyone' who is anyone has no interest in solving the problems is pretty well-known. It is only naive people like us who keep hoping against hope for some miracle solution.Rajen Barua, you or I with all our arguments back and forth have the grand affect of only spitting in the wind.Yes, there are a few people (even in Assam) who do want a solution to the problems, but they are just as helpless.>Wait! Don't tell me! It is because you are so much better than the rest, right?Not fair, C'da. The GOI and India has always been found fault with on this net. Going thru those mails over the years, one would come the conclusion that there are NO intellectuals left in the GOI, and that they are incompetent, useless and corrupt. One may also come to the conclusion that the GOI need look no further - but to Assamnet for ideas and intellect.Heck, the normal trend on the net is that there is nothing wrong with Assam, Assamese, our politicians or our insurgents. If one wants to find fault - look toward Indraprastha (or Hastinipura), and no further.Be that as it may - it is essential (to be truthful to ourselves) that we keep discussing such issues - both pros & cons.--Ram
On 1/1/06, Chan Mahanta <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Tsk, Rajen. Ki Muskil!
You already listed everyone else as not worried, bothered, troubled or otherwise disturbed, having discovered it at that EUREKA moment.
I was talking about YOUR angst, your finger-pointing at everyone. Why is that ?
Wait! Don't tell me! It is because you are so much better than the rest, right?
Did I get it?
c
At 11:31 AM -0600 1/1/06, Barua25 wrote:
>But then why all the angst, the outpourings of displeasures and the finger-pointing?This is not the first time I said these.Where did you see any angst from any of the parties in Assam?Even if you see it, it is to just make money.See how Tarun Gogoi is busy trying to make the right cut of his grants from GOI.See how ossosition Prafulla Mahanta and others are busy distributing their own money.They say it needs to money to make money.Where did you see any angst from any of the parties?And where did you see any amgst from the Assamese public?News Papers ?That is the other side of Isurgency Business, making money by 'finger pointing' to keep the Assamese public glued to the papers..Joi Ai OXOM.RB
----- Original Message -----From: Chan MahantaTo: Barua25 ; Ram SarangapaniCc: ASSAMNETSent: Sunday, January 01, 2006 11:21 AMSubject: Re: [Assam] Illegal Bangladeshis, is it a myth?That sounds like yet another of Rajen's EUREKA moments :-). He seems to have found all the answers.But then why all the angst, the outpourings of displeasures and the finger-pointing?I don't know, it must be a crazy world we live in!2006, welcome to BEEEG trouble in Assam Net!!!At 11:13 AM -0600 1/1/06, Barua25 wrote:
>One of the things you hear common people tell you (in Assam) is that there is big money in NOT getting the problems of >illegal or insurgency solved. It seems, it is beneficial to just keep the issues in the front burner - but, NOT really find any >solutions. Insurgents, politicians, power blocks, leaders, and unscruplous businesses reap huge benefits at the expense >of the common man - the khetiok, the kerani, the school mastor, etc.You are absolutely correct. I probably have stated in the net before.Nobody is actually interested in finding solutions to these damn problems.It is not in the interests of those in power either in Assam or in India.It is not in the interest of ULFA.It is not in the interests of PCG.It is not in the interests of Assamese business community.Ans poor Hobo Diok Assamese public don't count anyway.What is happening in Assam is Insurgency is being turned into a business carrer.Or we may say Professional Insurgency at its best.60-40 ? No I wil take 70-30? What do you say Doc?Assam and the North East may teach the world a lesson.As I said before:It is the best of times, it is the worst of times.Happy New Year!!RB
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