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form a federal front against both the suitability of basic income smaller, which puts animals in
the BJP and the Congress. One for countries having different closer proximity with infrastruc-
does not know what the situa- per capita incomes. ture, the authorities must think
tion will be like in Kerala and in It not only has the potential in terms of working in tandem
Andhra Pradesh. to raise standards of living but is with the forest personnel and
The big question many want also an exercise in social cohe- ensuring that conventional
to know is who will head the sion on account of its egalitarian methods are adhered to. This
coalition of Opposition parties nature. Sikkim has taken the includes an observance of slow
and what their agenda for the lead in planning a basic income speed and exercising caution at
nation is other than defeating scheme. all times.
common enemy, Narendra Modi Other States should follow At the same time, I firmly
and his party, the BJP. suit in introducing their own believe that we are advanced
Except DMK chief MK Stalin, versions of this ‘conceptually enough to be able to modernise
all other non-Congress Oppo- appealing’ scheme as an affirma- as well as design structures that
sition parties are tight-lipped tive step towards equality, dig- allow for the safer movement
about their prime ministerial nity and economic security. and migration of wildlife.
candidate. The nation is bound SaRbaNi MohaPatRa N viJai
to pay heavy price if there is
an unstable and weak govern- The results of the pilot projects Military installations
ment formed by parties lacking of the basic income scheme vulnerable to attacks
cohesion. in India and other parts of the With reference to the report Pakistan violates
N. SadhaSiva Reddy world have one thing in com- ceasefire in Poonch by Tehelka Web Desk
(January 17)
mon — a qualitative improve- One thing is crystal-clear about
Encounter deaths need ment in the lives of beneficiaries. our aggressive neighbour,
to be stopped in UP The greatest advantage Pakistan — that it never has
With reference to the report “Vivek Tiwari murder of a basic income is that it is wanted peace. It is a country that
case sends shockwaves to Lucknowites” by unconditional.
Kulsum Mustafa (October 31, 2018) constantly plots what to do next
The report on encounter deaths The cash pay out is regular, even if the earlier plan has failed.
in Uttar Pradesh and the obser- reaches the bank accounts of Indian Army officers are un-
vation of the Supreme Court is individual beneficiaries and likely to discuss sensitive issues
an indicator that the law of the empowers individual dignity openly, as can be read from the
jungle prevails in the State. and autonomy in utilising the report.
A leader who preaches peace money. As long as firm action such
and prosperity cannot shoot A basic income scheme ap- as “Operation Kabaddi” is put
‘unwanted people’ mercilessly pears to be an effective antidote off, India will continue to pay
like birds while being unmindful to the prevailing farm and job a heavy price in terms of our
of the constitutional rights every crises. Unlike loan waivers, it soldiers’ lives being lost and
citizen has in this democracy. does not lead to unintended our vital military installations
Over 1,100 encounters ever consequences such as a drying becoming vulnerable to attack.
since the Yogi Adityanath gov- up of bank credit or hazards aMN PaNdiaN
ernment has been in place is no such as periodic demands for
small a figure nor a trivial issue write-offs. Solution to water crisis
to be ignored. It is a redistributive tool with needed at the earliest
J edeN alexaNdeR minimal disruptive impact on The oft-mentioned prediction,
the economy as the expansion of that the next world war will be
Basic income plan better the tax base will fund it with- fought over water, appears to
than farm loan waivers out the need to impose new or be coming true. The decline in
With reference to the report “The wave of loan higher taxes. monsoon rain is bound to affect
waivers” by Charanjit Ahuja (May 15, 2018) vN MukuNdaRaJaN India, more so in the drought-
A basic income scheme can be prone areas.
an apt alternative to the populist Modernising infrastructure Cutting across party lines,
measure of farm loan waivers to will make wild animals safe politicians must constitute a
alleviate rural deprivation. With reference to the report “Wildlife Crime commission to study water
The successful implementa- Control Bureau of India gets Asia Environmen- scarcity and look for practical
tion across developing and de- tal Enforcement Award” by Tehelka Web Desk solutions.
(December 6, 2018)
veloped economies has proven With wildlife reserves becoming SaNJith M NeyoR

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