There was in fact a successful auction of spectrum — only it was not conducted by the government but by its corporate sector cronies who made a fortune on the deal.
On one pronouncement of his, you have to agree with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. His is not a ‘lame-duck government.' Cooked goose seems the more appropriate soubriquet. However, not a single new scam worth over Rs. 1 lakh crore has surfaced for 10 days now. So maybe things are getting better. Yet, even a doting corporate media find that the Professor did not come out looking good from his interaction with a few favoured students. That is, electronic media chiefs and editors who have mostly adored Dr. Singh for nearly two decades. If even the largely free ride they gave him left him unnerved and defensive, it's a measure of how much things have changed. Not that the editors emerged looking better. If asking the right questions is at the heart of journalism, then somebody had a bypass. At no point did it occur to them that the corruption they questioned him on with some passion, flowed entirely out of policies and from a policy altar at which they have worshipped for years.
Some of the questions in fact indicated a need by worried editors to be reassured that those very policies would continue. For instance, a fear that there is “no big reformist wave coming from UPA II. Have we lost the will to take hard reformist decisions?” “No way,” responded the Prime Minister. “We have not lost the will. We will persist.” In asserting that what he (and the editors) view as “reforms” are on track, Dr. Singh speaks the truth. The chaos and corruption troubling the editors was the outcome of those very ‘reforms', if they cared to see it.
Even on corruption, the questions ranged from those revolving around some Ministers' actions to a couple implying wrongdoing by people within the PMO or Cabinet. Nothing that suggested the country's basic direction under the Professor's guidance is destructive and dangerous. But once you've accepted the neo-liberal economic framework scripted since 1991 as wonderful and beyond reproach, then your questions get limited to asking who fluffed his lines. And as for corporate criminality, editors step on to that terrain only when left without a choice and at their own risk.
The first question, fair enough, was about the 2G scam and the lack of an auction in the sale of spectrum. There's something missing here, though. There was in fact an auction of spectrum — a successful one. Only it was not conducted by the government but by its corporate sector cronies who gave it away for a pittance. Having been gifted that scarce public-owned resource by the government, the cronies then auctioned it privately for astronomical sums of money. The argument that consumers today enjoy low prices because the privateers got it cheap is a fraud. Customers are getting those cheap prices even after this double sale. After the crony cabal milked huge profits in its own private auction. Had that process been cut out, consumer benefits would have been far greater. Also auctioned alongside were the government's individual Ministers, posts and integrity. Two auctions for the price of none.
Abstract query
The press conference saw one abstract query and a no less abstract reply on ‘black money.' Not a single question on Indian illegal funds parked overseas in Swiss and other banks. None on why the government does not reveal the names it has in this connection. The illegal flow of such funds, according to the startling report from Global Financial Integrity, costs the nation Rs.240 crore every single day, on average. As much as Rs. 4.3 lakh crore (twice the highest estimate of the 2G scam losses) has been lost in just five years, between 2004 and 2008. And who are the main culprits? “High net-worth individuals and private companies were found to be the primary drivers of illicit flows out of India's private sector.” Seems a good subject to ask the Prime Minister some questions about. But it didn't happen.
Nor was there a single question about the Amnesty/Immunity schemes his government seems to be planning for such criminals. This, even as it plans tougher and tougher laws for ordinary citizens, abridgement of rights for displaced persons, gutting of the public distribution system and arrests of those protesting the incredible price rise.
Nor, while on morality and corruption, was there a single question from the editors about the Prime Minister making Vilasrao Deshmukh Union Minister of Rural Development. A man castigated by the Supreme Court for protecting moneylenders in Maharashtra now controls rural development across the country. The Maharashtra government has even paid up the Rs.10-lakh fine imposed by the court in that case, signalling acceptance that wrong had been done while he was Chief Minister. Dr. Singh cannot plead ‘coalition compulsions' here. Mr. Deshmukh is from his own party. If he remains in the Union Cabinet after the Supreme Court trashes him, it is only because Dr. Singh wants him there. There were no ‘coalition compulsions' in brewing the CWG scam either, but that too wasn't touched upon in the questions.
It would, of course, be insane to expect the editors to raise a question on the nearly quarter of a million farmers who have committed suicide in this country since 1995, going by the data of the National Crime Records Bureau. Or on migrations out of villages going berserk. Or on worsening levels of unemployment. But there was not a single one on hunger either.
The only serious question on food inflation, linking that to its impact on the poor in a country with 8.5 per cent growth came from a foreigner. Now our editors present knew this to be a burning issue, even for their middle class audiences. Yet Sara Sidner of CNN was the only one to raise it. The other question on inflation related to the need for “the second [round of] structural reforms to be done in agriculture.” Another query on price rise — not linked to hunger or poor people — was not answered at all. The Prime Minister was not challenged when he virtually equated losses in the 2G scam with subsidies to the poor. “If auctions are not taking place then what is the basis for you to calculate a loss? ... It is very much a function of what is your starting point. And also depends upon your opinion. We have a budget which gives subsidy for food, Rs.80,000 crores per annum, some people may say these foodgrains should be sold at marketplace. Will we say then because they are not sold at market prices, because you are giving them a subsidy, it is a loss of Rs. Rs.80,000 crores?”
Plunder and subsidy
Firstly, he equates plunder with the pathetic subsidies tossed at the world's largest hungry population. We rank 67th out of 84 nations in the Global Hunger Index. Secondly, subsidies for the super-rich soar each year. While food subsidies for hundreds of millions were cut by Rs. 450 crore in the last budget.
All those carping critics attacking direct cash transfers miss the point that the government has become really good at this. It routinely transfers billions of rupees, directly or indirectly, at each opportunity to the corporate world. And it is equally good at corporate karza maafi — Rs.5,000 billion under just three heads (direct corporate income tax, customs and excise duties) in the last budget. That's two-and-a-half times the 2G scam estimate. It also gets bigger with each new budget. The dominant media have never once raised a peep of protest against the corporate plunder of public money, thanks to the government Dr. Singh presides over. Nor did they in this conference with the Prime Minister. So Dr. Singh is understandably peeved when asked about the petty cash transfers of the 2G scam to a handful of hucksters. The Prime Minister wanted to know if the editors would view the Rs.80,000 crore his government commits to food subsidies as ‘losses.' Actually, most of them do. Quite a few of them would like to see all subsidies directed at the poor to be wound up. The politically correct way of going about this is to call for the “streamlining of systems,” or “proper targeting,” or “efficiency.” A demand never once made of the tsunami of subsidies given to a handful of super-rich (media owners amongst them).
One positive point: Dr. Singh announced no new Group of Ministers at his conference with the editors. Though one's probably required to conduct a GoM Census. That might help Pranab Mukherjee figure out how many of these he chairs. And spare him the embarrassment of having to ask “so which GoM is this?” at his next meeting. A ‘lame duck' government? Not really. More like an integrity-challenged Cuckoo.
Keywords: 2G spectrum scam, CBI probe, Manmohan interaction, A. Raja, S-band deal
Indian democracy is by the beguiling bureaucrats, of the pervert politicians, for the elite esoteric people. Politicians never inducted any scheme for the common people; they initiate it to make a channel for their earning. UPA is unsuccessful on all its fronts vis-a-vis terrorism, food inflation, day by day scams, basic needs fulfillment etc. Govt. hasn't taken any challenging decisions hitherto, they were tame on every occasion either it was Mumbai attack or it was Nuclear deal. India needs bold, veracious and intractable politicians who can demolish this dirty politics and re establish it.
The whole episode seemed as if some PR activity for PM Dr.Manmohan Singh who,these days,seems to be working hard to win back countrymen's faith in the government.
Thanks to Mr. Sainath for this brilliant and thought provoking article. It is flabbergasting to know that PM has actually compared the 2G scandal loss to the subsidies given to the poor people. So many people are dying because of hunger and poverty. So many number of suicides in Rural India. It is very unfortunate that the money flown to corporate rich people (through various scams) is compared with the money which is gone to partially fill the stomachs of hungry poor people. India's growth rate (GDP) is 8.5% is good for business people and higher society people but if there is no trickledown effect (No money flow to poor people) then the use and prosperity for country as a whole is limited. Now corruption has become integral part of India. It is shocking to know that Rs.240cr per day is flowing out of country illegally, which shows the state of corruption in India. Now We need transparent and effective and efficient Govt. to tackle down various problems country facing like corruption, inflation, poverty etc. Change should come in each and every Indian then we will not see scams in such a scale at-least and we will not see the people who die because of hunger and we will not see the these many number of suicides. Change will come only if all the people are educated to know the truths and facts of different issues and pros and cons of different Govt policies. For that all the people should be provided with basic education facilities so that they could analyze the ground realities and also this leads to increase in Indian literacy rate.
Excellent article. It really satified my anger against the TV editors after seeing their interaction with the PM. PM says his is not a lame duck government. His claim went unchallenged becuase he was sitting with a bunch of LAME DUCK TV EDITORS! There is a tendency among these editors in the debates on corruption to say that there is no disupte on PMs personal integrity! I wonder why? How can there not be a dispute on his integrity when trillions are looted under his very nose? I refuse to believe that he didn't benefit from this loot either in cash or in kind!! I agree with Sainath that these editors have been worshipping the PM and his cruel economic policies. Questionning this man will be questionning their own belief and existense. And, its pretty uncomfortable to face quesitons, especially form with in. Hence they avoid asking hard questions.
A few months back we are worried about 'Paid News'. After reading the article I wonder whether there is any requirement to worry about paid news. Because, except a very few cases, most of the news is paid for in one way or other. In Andhra Pradesh especially, where there are more than 10 24 hour news channels, I don't think i have a channel to watch for unbiased and honest news. I'm really worried!
Another excellent piece by the Rural Affairs editor. People fail to see that "Growth for the sake of growth is the ideology of the cancer cell". When Sainath fights for the vast majority of people who may not know to read English, he is doing a tough job of convincing people who may really want that growth at the cost of the poor people. Narcissim, self-aggrandisement and greed have taken the place of honesty, integrity and morality- thanks to the neo-liberal policies.
The lack of will to act and spineless attitude of central government is evident from the article. I thank the Hindu for coming up with these kind of hard-hitting factual articles.I think the problem is not with the government only; to some extent we are also an accomplice in the crime. By not trying to sound cynical or pessimist but the fact remains that until and unless we start acting and remembering, we will only end up as being armchair critics. And for the change to occur we (which includes me as well), start should changing in attitudes and do our fundamental duties rather then just demanding the fundamental rights.Prime ministers,Cabinet Ministers,MPs and MLAs are all the part of same society we come from and it is we only who choose them year after year.No one has a gun pointed on his head for choosing these 2G scamsters, but it's our ignorance that they are now sitting over our heads.
I feel pity for the Prime Minister, he cannot say more than this. In my opinion all DMK ministers must have made good killing through their period and used part of it to supply many items free so that they can stay on power for long term. We are boasting about Indian culture. Now we have reached a point of bringing back the old MAHARAJAS, by electing the same people to Parliament and Assemblies. The only solution to real democracy is, limit MPs and MLAs terms to five years only. By the time they learn to make RAJA model SCAMs they should be out. Politics was said to be to serve the people, but now reached Looting by them. Also in the Ballot paper there should be an option 'All Candidates are rejected' and if these votes get more than all the candidates there should reelection with different candidates.
I saw the press conference of PM with selected editors.i heard every question and answer.the only question i liked was form journalist of CNN and the worst answer was on equating subsidies given to the poor and corporates. Our PM speaks as if he is the only who understands the economy in India. Our electronic media also takes such opportunities for appeasement and wasting its time in asking questions 'which is your favourite cricketer'. It's very annoying but i am not hopeless because of media like THE HINDU.
Mr. Singh has one task clearly set for him - keep the PM chair warm till Rahul is anointed as the PM. Till such time he only has to mumble and that he is doing it excellently. Everyone knows that there is no credible system in this country to tackle corruption. Instead of promising to introduce a tough bill to bring about systemic changes in the fight against corruption, he seems to be satisfied with arresting a politician there, a bureaucrat there, knowing fully well that the bail is not too far. These mock arrests without any desire to recover the illegal money have been going on for too long for any sane person to believe in. This is like giving Aspirin to cure Cancer.
I congratulate Mr. Sainath for writing such a great article. I am glad such good people still exist in media. I trust this article will awake Dr. Manmohan Singh. Many people in India had great hopes and I am sorry that he belied many of them. He should now stand up and take drastic action action against the culprits who are looting peoples wealth. I also complementMr. Sainath for exposing the electronic media's behaviour. They are after politicians and coroporates wrong doings. What about their own? What Barkha Dutt and Singvi were talking with Radia? i had come across an article written In Guardian about Dr. Roy of NDTV in which the news paper has exposed his wrong doings. But sadly no electronic media has brought this up to public viewing.
Rule 3.10 of part III of the Flag Code Of India 2002 states that when the Flag is displayed on the speaker's platform ,it shall be flown on a staff on the speaker's right as he faces the audience or flat against the wall above and behind the speaker. Dr Manmohan Singh's position with respect to the Flag of India in the photo on page no.1 of Hindustan Times, Dainik Bhasker, The Hindu on dated 17th Feb 2011 is in violation of rule 3.10 of Flag Code Of India 2002 as stated above. Unfortunately the same is posted here .please remove the photo
I had always thought about how some of the world's richest people come from India yet we have a huge population which is still starving! Economists are always talking about the richness of our country in terms of the educated people and people per se. Yet jobs are few and far between, so also development- especially infrastructure , be it rural or urban. Finally what Mr.P.SaiNath says in his article clicked and this whole scenario makes sense to me. Thank you for writing so explicitly. I hope the Congress party and more particularly Dr.Manmohan Singh are listening! Or does he prefer to hide behind his guarded demeanor?
This is not just a question of our media not pulling up its socks and doing its job - it is a question of us seeing how incompetent they are. They sell only the content they want to portray, so long as it comes out looking like something they want to sell. There is no pursuit of truth, no pursuit of fact, and no pursuit of knowledge for us to reflect on. As far as the presentation goes, it is as lame as any duck can be.
It is indeed one of Best Articles, written in Print media. The Moral bankruptcy of even the men of integrity like Prime Minister is baffling. One wonders how prime minister can link the Money Lost in CW Games with Subsidies for the poor. While there is no denying the loss to the country because of the Moral Brinkmanship of the Politico- Bureaucratic - Business - Media elite, which resulted in loss to the exchequer, I would also be a little Concerned with the writer's too leftish opinion. He never seems to mention the difficulty with which businessmen try to start a business or operate in our country, its flawed, ever-changing laws, flimsy regulations and incipient beauracracy and favouritism. After all these businessmen are the ones who will provide jobs to the people and taxes to the Government. Businesses and corporates reflect the manner in which Governments formulate policy and the moral character that its politicos exhibit. The same businesses show utmost adherence to corporate ethics in Scandivanian countries but not here due to the lack of proper moral,policy and Judicial regulations.
It is a fact that a society gets the politicians as it is. Democracy is a real check for society and irrespective of any other reform we need social reform. A very good proposal could be that a person filling up the school fee/ tution fee for any BPL card holder and he will get tax evasion on basis of that. If government is not ready to reform, Indian society has to stand up and force government to make it happen. There has never been a shortage of resorces even we were invaded and ruined so many times but what has been lacking is morality. Democracy is the biggest gift we have but by making it ineffective and underused, we are weakening the base of democracy for our future generations to come. It is a high time and youths are the real stakeholders at present and they need to come out and ensure that India's future is safe in their hands.
Once again Sainath has separated the water from the milk like the proverbial swan. A huge build up for not just a damp squib of a meet but a strong reaffirmation of the callous attitude of our highest leadership. Taking cover under coalition politics, this is a new mantra, stoutly denying any responsibility, to liken food subsidies as a loss to the nation as in 2G comes straight from the heart 'to bury away with any tarnish like poverty and hunger" It is to be hoped that in reparation, the food security bill and recommendations of the NAC to enhance the allocation to the BPL persons escapes unscathed from the Machiavellian strategies of the leader.
Brilliantly written Mr. Sainath!!! The right questions at the right time - the problem remains that we shall have no answers.
The hard questions are really hard for an economist-turned-bureaucrat-turned-PM turned-a loyal Congress activist and finally a Bharatha now (the brother of Srirama,who kept his brother's footwear on the throne until he returned to power).Because this Professor is also awaiting his turn to handover the throne to the 'Young leader' being trained now. Who said that the aam aadmi is not eligible for concessions? Let him become a billionaire and then see for himself that for how many concessions and tax exemptions will he be eligible. Mr Sainath seems to be naive when he says that the 'few favoured students' invited for the interaction with the PM did not ask any hard questions. That's the qualification they possess, to be invited. Sainath may not fit in that perambulator for he always questions about the farmer suicides et al. Mr.Sainth seems to miss one point, though conspicuously, told by the integrity-challenged Cuckoo - not to inflate the scams and other corruption deals in the print and electronic media so that those who read and watch too much, may misunderstand. Probably, the 8.5 and odd growth rate the country scourges upon year after year, does not impress Mr.Sainath much. Let Sri Sainath imbibe the qualities of the Professor - see no evil, hear no evil and utter no evil. Because the Professor sees no CWG or Aadarsh scams, hears no Rajas' and utters nothing about ISRO's and other deals. Lest the congenial environment that he built over two decades for better investments by FII's and other MNC's , gets spoiled, which the country is not in a position to bear.
While watching the interview was waiting for these questions exactly,
Hats off to P. Sainath for staying true to his job and exposing the sad and hard-hitting truths in a witty fashion. But, alas, the govt. turns a blind eye to people like P. Sainath, who work hard day in and day out to bring the facts to the people.
Thanks to Hindu and Mr. Sainath for doing a commendable job on bringing out the truth.It is a sorry state of affairs; PM equating subsidies to the poor with spectrum distribution. What is the big achievement in providing mobile facility while majority could not afford 2 meals a day.UPA is pro-rich and even worst works against common man (the poor) by it's ridiculous policies.We need a Leader not an economist; economist can work along with a Leader of the People and can not lead by himself. This is what is proven currently.
I guess no one asked how can YSJ son of Y.S. Rajashekar Reddy earn on par with Ambani's in 10yrs ? This will be the mother of scams in Congress ruled states. Andhra Pradesh no can't even pay its employees in maybe six months down the lane. There are open violations by YSR (Cong CM for AP) during his tenure and was proven by ACB but now those companys say they will pay the difference and let them off. Will Cong carry on two-eyed justice for BJP's Karnataka and Cong ruled A.P? All other states think high of A.P and Hyderabad itself but the truth is YSR showed a great picture of the state to the world by implenting schemes that will benefit his henchmen (like contractors, hospitals, IT) I appeal to respected PM ManMohan Singh to be strong and think of only India and as a Indian Prime Minister not as a Congress rubber stamp because your present will be judged and written in the history of India. Its high time that corruption should be thrown out of the Indian system for the new generation which is so promising.
Sometimes I wonder what's the point of holding such press conferences when each and every question asked was monitored by Mr. Singh's team before the start of conference. Why couldn't there be open house press conference if Mr. Singh's conscious is clear and they are confident that they have done nothing wrong?
I really appreciate Mr.Sainath for exposing The "Swallow and Vomit' Journalism.This is one aspect which escapes from the minds of common man because they cannot think that the news they are watching is fabricated or sold one, specially these English electronic media. Barkha Dutt has no other topic than to link B.J.P to communlaism, thats all her job. When election verdict of Bihar was coming out , she was worried about Narendra Modi's vist to Bihar. During NDTV award, without any issue, Barkha Dutt and Pranay Roy were asking about B.J.P 's Hindutava from Nitish Kumar and ShivRaj Singh Chauhan.Earlier I used to believe these corporate sold journalist as millions of Indians still believe them.But my honeymoon with is over forever.Its diffcult to get real journalist and real news these days.
Beauty of an article...if there is any TV editor who is reading this article, this is what we as people of india expected you to ask the PM but you guys seem more to please the PM than bringing out the truth even though it sounds bitter to the PM.
Hats of to P Sainath for his article. But let us not forget: a puppet does what the strings wants him to do. In someways the editors were also the puppets of the puppeteer who told them not to ask uncalled for questions.
Brilliant article. It is pathetic to see the PM comparing the subsidies given to the poor with the loot of 2G scam. No body talks about the thousands of farmers who are committing suicides.
One thought that crossed my mind while watching the press interaction was - why dont we have the right to recall?! May be we are not rich enough to afford so many elections. But, how to teach these people a lesson?
On seeing the conference of the Prime Minister with the TV editors, any one could easily come to the conclusion that the editors were not serious to question the Prime Minister except two.(CNN IBN and Times Now) No one asked about CVC appointment. The home rule also cut short further questions. Instead of answering questions directly the Prime Minister wasted his time very much in repeating he was honest. He has not denied about the back room talks by the PMO. Instead, he said ,"I have not met anybody." The question was pointed. It was regarding the involvement of PMO. Thus he has failed to give direct answers and all the answers were evasive. The TV editors have also not done their job seriously. They are having their own limitations for the best reasons known to them. Print media like THE HINDU should continue the fight against corruption without any fear or favour.
Congress might have paid these corporate media chiefs and editors to ask soft questions. Indian media is corporate controlled to protect their interest not of general public. They are just tools in the hands of super rich. People have certainly lost faith in them.
Thanks! sir for thought provoking write up. I think this will help government to introspect (if willing). And above that electronic media to know how vague and vulnerable their identities have become. Now they are racing with political class for integrity score.
I was watching the question and answer session and turned it off mid way. Why was the press conference called for. What were the questions which were being asked. A slightly dis comforting question and the PM fumbled. It was so depressing to see. There is no doubt that Mr Singh has the most impeccable integrity (in personal capacity) and pedigree which can be matched by few. But its appalling the way governance is being handled. Vilas Rao deshmukh's case was rightly sighted here.All the news channels shout at the top of their voices in their studios. But they came with some of the absurd questions ever. news channels like NDTV etc. are representative of the malice and sleaze which has penetrated electronic media
Another master piece from Sainath.Its only a person of his stature who can argue on this with fact to substantiate. Its him who brought the paid news scandal's real picture in lime light.And now revealing the helplessness of Indian democracy which has lost the activism in its so called free JOURNALISM
It becomes crystal clear now as to why journalists of the calibre of Sainath were not invited to the 'intercation' with the PM.Had he been called the interaction would have been really a treat to watch and the PM would have been cornered to answer instead of trying to evade every question!
Your writers plumb new depths and bring out new facts on whatever issue they take up and Sainath's article stands out for the observation "the argument that consumers today enjoy low prices because the privateers got it cheap is a fraud.Customers are getting those cheap prices even after this double sale." Did this not strike the esteemed editors assembled there to question the prime minister on the 2-G scam? Why also,did no one rebut the argument of the Prime Minister on equating the loss of revenue(in fact it is a welfare state's duty)from the 2-G scam to those arising from the subsidy for food? The prime-minister's strange argument that "if auctions are not taking place,then what is the basis for you to calculate a loss" will be true if the spectrum had not been sold at all(this was claimed in Antrix-Devas deal).Where is the auditor who will not take a loss or gain account of a business deal after its transaction? In fact,loss or gain account is taken even before a transaction takes place and the right or wrong of it is arrived after the deal.That was what the CAG had done. Mr.Sainath ,though,throws the baby with the bath-water when he argues for scrapping of the reformist agenda which at present we cannot do without.In fact the scams of day are a result of our sticking with the licence-permit raj that Rajaji spoke against and true reforms will indeed deliver the country from hunger and want. Finally a word about the use of non-English words in an English article. We are left to wonder the meaning of Karza Maafi,even though we can infer the meaning contextually.
The article trule exposes the truths about Dr. Singh with courage. The image of Dr. Singh has really given Congress an edge over others but the whole belief about him being a man without malice and crusader of clean politics has shattered by now. What is wrong is wrong and should be exposed by media houses irrespective of the person. Journalists should be objective and fair in the treatment of matter and should not flirt with his own prejuidices. If a journalist fails to respect these fundamentals then he is guilty of common man.
Economics is adjunct to nobility and riches in capitalism. Rightly, the author points to the mealy-mouthed editors who have failed to bring the right questions after singing paeans to the professor's policies all this while. Culpability is mere consequence of the prevailing law and as the PM and his cabinet suggests the investigations will reveal that too. However what troubles the mind is morality. Here is a PM who said that disbursement of food grains from the wasteful stocks to the poor doesn't make economic sense and goes to suggest that gifting scares spectrum to corporates is a necessary subsidy. But I have a better explanation for the PM. Even if he auction the spectrum and had the windfall, we would have any way spent that in building more airports and special economic zones or perhaps advanced the real-estate builders. So how should that matter when it reaches the same ones? In our country poverty is systemic and is seeded in policy and values than entrepreneurial tact. Liberalisation has become a way to accept greed and a belief that only at the mercy of the haves the poor will restore their lives. What is liberalisation here? For example see the speed at which the nuclear agreements are pushed while the women's reservation lurches in the precincts of the parliament. It was immense prestige to conduct Commonwealth Games (when all rules were given a bye) but not so to achieving Millennium Development goals. Quick was the response of the government to save those in Egypt but was that so for those caught in floods? Imagine the punctuality and grace shown by the senior politicians at the media-award functions and their conduct in assemblies and parliament. Principal reason is that political authority is with the sponsored English-speaking, media-ready, part-timers, while the people's representation oddly settles for the back benches in the parliament. Surprisingly an individual's manicured honesty is being repeatedly marked as the legitimacy to power which is contrary to democratic principles of representativeness. The media itself has become TRP driven and self-serving. We had more senior reporters jumping in Cairo's squares than examining truth behind farmer's suicides in Maharashtra and AP. Are we not fundamentally missing the agenda?
Seeing the interaction with TV editors was most absurd thing. The questions which were put before the PM (except a few) were at most said to be funny. The TV editors forgot the context in which this interaction was called for. It was called to clear the air surrounded by the plethora of scams. And the questions were put like whether PM wanted to resign at any point of time and similar Lollipop questions as if they are in some coffee table conversation with someone. The hypocrisy of mainstream television media was to be seen at its peak during the interaction. Let down will be the least that can said about the interaction both on the media side and from the Prime Minister as well.
Despite all the boasting we do about the rule of law in our country, the way the auction was conducted was not vastly different from the frenzied plundering of the Russian resources and wealth by the oligarchs on the dissolution of USSR.
The Prime Minister's interaction with the friendly and supportive electronic media did not achieve the objective of refurbishing his tarnished image. It has actually destroyed its luster further as brought out clearly by Mr.Sainath. Except for a doting electronic media defending the PM by diverting attention from his acts of commission and ommission by aggressive pursuit of everyone the media suspects as having a role in the mega scams, the PM seems to be losing support all around. One has not so far seen so much criticism of the PM as seen these days in the comments on this website earlier. His supporters, revelling in the economic gains they have reaped from the PM's policies and actions, cannot any longer keep him afloat on the turbulent political waters just by providing him with a "personal integrity" life jacket.
Thanks Sainath for this piece. In fact the press conference itself was staged to fool the people. Poor PM failed in that too. I cannot imagine the shape of the country in another 10 year period.
The reports on the press meet were quite appalling for the lack of any serious accountability from the PM. Thank you for the plain-speak on the sub-standard interaction, Mr. Sainath.
Kudos again to Sainath's article that sheds true light of the PM's "press" conference. That the Prime Minister's "press" conference was a sham, there is no doubt. Not only the PM, but all the questioners as well were sold out not to stroke up the dead goose. The press conference was "edited" before the event. But, isn't it our stupidity to have expected it to be otherwise? The Niira Radia tapes had already established the politico-bureaucratic-business-press links that are both wide and deep.
A question of CWG Scam and Shungulu Committee was raised by the Times Now Chief Arnab Goswami to which Dr. Singh answered that no wrong doer in the run up to the CWG Games would go unpunished. Some of the main issues as highlighted by the author have been missed and the 8.5 % GDP Growth hardly matters to the aam adami in this country which has 40 crore people not knowing about their second meal. Needless to say and in the wake of Radia tapes, it follows from Q & A Section, all our Media houses, particularly the electronic, are the patrons of either of the two big political parties queueing up for Rajya Sabha Nominations. It was interesting that a famous editor went on to ask as to who would succeed Mr.Singh in 2014 and other familiar face had asked Mr. Singh's continuation in the office following the scams that have been unearthed sofar. Its a good piece of work and thought provoking for editor-in-chiefs of Television Networks as where would the buck stops.
Very well written article. Kudos to you guys for sustained effort to bring out truth of corrupt govt.
Dear Mr. Sainath,
Everything you have mentioned in your article is correct. I have only one question for you (even if this is akin to blaming the messenger!). How is it that you, knowing your brethren particularly from the TV media, even naively expected anything else from them?
All real burning issues, as you know, will only fly over this "integrity-challenged" cuckoo's nest.
To copy from Winston Churchill and modified to suit the circumstances and events, it is perhaps apt to say, "Never in the world of governance has so much been looted from so many by so few". It puts in perspective the resulting consequence of widening the rich - poor divide. The chasm is wider if you include the gap between the morally rich and morally poor most of whom ironically represent us in the parliament. You have raised a very valid point in that the questions not asked throw more light on the fourth estate than do the questions asked on the issues plaguing the country.
Brilliantly scathing!
Readers like me would like to see the real set of hard questions. Also the politically right answers, and answers that speak the truth. (The PM's answers were neither, were they?)
Of course there was a loss to goverment of India in terms of providing taxation sops to corporate world.But an important point the writer misses is that when you give sops to a productive sector(corporate) there is always more capital and employemnt generation. Increasing taxes and draining it to the kitties of poor won't help. There must be big picture to utilise the growth advantages the goverment gets in terms of increased tax base due to corporate growth and then using this judiciously for welfare of those who are lagging, is the right perspective.
It is sad about UPA government, in spite of being a ruling party in center for 8 years, claims governance deficit. UPA has failed to Control ,in its 2nd term, in the areas of scams, inflation, lack of amenities . Above said subjects may turn the tables in next elections, and probably people may question about the overall perfromance of UPA in its 2nd term only which is not at all satisfactory. I hope Mr. PM will concentrate on Sustainable Growth in Coming days.
Let's keep our fingers crossed for UPA in coming days.
I must say, the only news source ,we can trust is 'The Hindu'.It dares to point out those topics which others never desire to. Hats off to N Ram and team for always doing such commnendable jobs.
There is no iota of doubt that media's only goal is to raise its TRPs.
Then why GDP growth rate hogs the lime light,and reoprts by UNDP programme regarding HDI is in oblivion.
How many of our readers,so called intellegentia,know that we fare worst than Bangldesh on human development front ?
I'm with Sainath and The Hindu who sense the desperation of the common man, and have assessed the hopeless situation the nation is in.
As the current regime is increasingly being pushed to a corner by truth, I hope wisdom will prevail.
There is no lack of sticks. The sedition laws used by the British in the 1900's to pounce on Gandhi and Tilak for their speeches and editorials, are still in our books. Disaffection is a big word. Draconian laws like the IT Act are sufficient to persecute even this poor comment writer !
One more excellant review by Sri Sainath. Let us not expect any answer for his queries.
As usual Sainath’s piece is a stimuli for informed debate among us. Like Sainath, we too take comfort from the fact that for the last ten days no new scam of more than a crore of rupees has been revealed. What a strange way to measure our ‘satisfaction level’!
The TV editors’ press conference to which reference has been made, it should be said on behalf of the hapless viewers that it looked like a rehearsed theatrical show with the PM’s Media Adviser butting in every now and then. As one of your respondents commented in your website, there were only two TV editors who were coming with probing questions. Even then, as Sainath points out, there was hardly any query on why government is so solicitous of bringing out amnesty schemes instead of using its might to unearth black money stashed abroad and punish the culprits. There were no questions either on farmers’ suicides and falling agricultural production and rising prices and wayward ministerial functioning.
Let the print media take note that our people are suffering from an overdose of twisted news coverage by the TV and are literally being brainwashed. It is now time, if we are to have proper and truthful information being disseminated, print media should cease to be exalted government gazette and be critical of government’s functioning in the interest of the people. Much more is wanted by the print media in the circumstances. They should rise to the occasion.
Dear Sir,
An aptly written article at preciously right time. I hope Mr. Singh reads this.
Anger has come in the way of balanced writing. He talks of two auctions - but presents no evidence of the second auction. He then presents an inflated number for the number of suicides by deliberately totaling up all the way from 1995. He doesn't provide any data whether the number is large or small and whether the cause is poverty. The correct way to look at it would be to examine the number of suicides per 1000 for different cross-sections of Indian populations. All that would require research and lead to a much more reasoned argument - something that this writer isn't interested in.
It is really saddening to read this article which is a reality check for our country. Time for a few bold leaders to raise to the occasion and take brave new steps to redeem India. While "personal integrity" is important, leadership and vision are perhaps even more important.
Bravo Mr. Sainath on the exposé of another sacred cow - the corporates that control the media and their editors. And for this same reason, nothing will come out of all the CBI inquiries and probes since the vast majority of the upper middle class are also beholden to the corporate largesse directly through employment or through kickbacks in the case of politicos and pundits. The poor can not bother as they have no luxury of time to ponder over these scams in the midst of their daily life and death struggles to survive aginst all odds. The players will change in the next election and the cycle will continue, no matter which political persuasion comes to power. A few that try a different approach, such as Nitish Kumar and Narendra Modi will be hounded out of office by the other sacred cow of Congress-inspired pseudo-secularism and the bogey of caste/minority politics. India is still not ready for the type of ferment as is happening in the Arab world as the Indian type of democracy incorporates the worst of its history's baggage.
A very fine critic of the nationwide event. Prime Minister failed to answer the basic question that "why was the press conference called?" Was it to prove that he is not a lame duck PM OR he is not involved in any of the scams OR he wants to tell Indian people that he is leading a coalition government where scams are inevitable and we should expect something of these kinds in future as well and keep our mouth shut?
Whatever may be the reason but the conference did not leave a positive impression on people, instead it kind of sent a message that government is helpless.
I could not agree more with your analysis. Indian media has been severely compromised. It is really difficult to bring about the change without media playing its constructive role. Journalism is no more public service but it is pure business. Despite this sorry state of affairs, I am an eternal optimist. Change is inevitable and it is for us to decide whether we want to accomplish this in a sane way or with blood and gore. I hope we choose the right path.
This is a very forceful article that makes everyone think about this government's priorities. The PM's equating the losses in the 2G scam with subsidies to the poor is simply unacceptable. However it is to be noted that even the subsidies are doled out to buy votes, using public money. Instead of spending money to building physical, institutional and skills infrastructure, which empowers and enables the citizens to prosper with dignity and self-respect, the politicians prefer to hand out doles, because this will ensure that the poor remain poor with total dependence on the politician. The Dravidian parties have fine-honed this to an art form -- by distributing TV, sarees.
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