MIT School of Government - Masters Program in Government, First Trimester-In Lecture

Justice P.B. Sawant, the former Justice, Supreme Court of India delivered a lecture on “Judicial Accountability” to the participants of MPG-04 on 20th Ocober, 2008. After clarifying the role of legislature and executive, he highlighted the powerful position of Indian judiciary, which is different from other countries. He also reminded the audience the procedures for appointment of judges and what are the advantages and challenges to it. While mentioning the various amendments to Indian Constitution, he Illustrated in detail what is meant by judicial review. He said, “As judges are more powerful, it is essential that they should be more responsible and must be put under scrutiny”. Later he elaborated what is expected from an ideal judge and what are the hassles to it. In his words a judge is expected to be an honest hearer and his judgement must be based on facts and laws applicable to it. But laziness, inaction, postponing the judgements, retirement without judgements etc are some experiences from India. Sometimes judges are dictated by selfish motives for eg judgement about a company where he has his shares. Castes, religious and political ideologies of the judge are also becoming the base of some judgements. Some judgements are made from the fear of some pressure groups, media pressure etc. He replicated how impartiality and independence of judiciary is crucial. After discussing the available mechanisms to ensure accountability he explained with his own experience how the disciplinary committees functions and how disciplinary procedures are politicised. He concluded his session by mentioning that Independent Judicial commission and transparency in selection procedures are the two preconditions to accomplish “judicial accountability’ a reality in India.

Maj. Gen. R.K. Kaushal, Senior Specialist, National Disaster Management Authority, had an interactive session with the students of MPG-04, in the MIT SOG classroom on October 20, 2008 on the topic “Disaster Management’. In the first session he elaborated the meaning of energy and its role in our lives. When we deflect the negative energy, we feel at ‘peace’ and free from ‘conflict’. When we transmit positive energy we tend to overcome resistance. He explained how ‘science and spirituality’ impact our lives. He stressed on the need to realize and practice our ‘meta physical energy’ along with ‘materialistic energy’. He linked the concept of disaster management to our history since the British era. In the second session, he explained Gandhian Philosophy in order to explain how crucial self- disaster management is. He stressed on the adoption of Gandhian principles in our lives. The importance of collective approach to environmental calamities, extended family system , universal brotherhood , women’s role in disaster management , spiritualizing the economy etc were the areas he touched upon. Role of a mentor, need to become an entrepreneur, man’s dignity, were some of the other points that were discussed. Thus on the whole he focused on individual disaster management connected it to the concept of energy.

11th october 2008

SHRI DIGVIJAY SINGH, Spoke on“SHIFTING TRENDS IN India’s FOREIGN POLICY”

In the introductory note, while mentioning the long history of India, he stressed the fact that India was never aggressive or a dictating nation. He reminded that the 1st Indian Foreign Policy was made in 1927, in the presence of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, and since then the structure and the framework of our policy is unchanged, and the same policy is being continued by all the parties, disregarding their ideologies. But, for the 1st time when the parliament was divided on the foreign policy, it was due to the recent Indo-US Nuclear Deal.

While discussing the future of the Indo-US Nuclear deal, he pointed out that majority of the Indians felt that the Nuclear Deal should have been signed with India’s Sovereignty in place. He informed that India can generate upto 28,000 MW of power by this deal and that too by the year 2030. But the cost as per his view will be about Rs. 20 Crores per MW, which is too high compared to Rs.3.5 Crores per MW generated thorough thermal power and Rs. 6 Crores per MW when generated by hydro plants. He suggested that it is possible to generate not less than 80,000 MW of power if we can have an understanding with Nepal government or treaty to utilize river waters from Nepal.

By identifying the need to have good relationship with our neighbors, he noticed that it is impossible for India to become a developed Nation if neighboring countries stay back as under developed. Pakistan’s ignorance of reciprocating INDIA as a Most Favored Nation (MFN) costing them more than Rs.1000 crores per annum as the goods from India reaches to them through Dubai.

By quoting that, nation should be built by their own courage and the combination of ethos, culture and tradition; he praised China for their foreign policy. He emphasized that China is the only country, which never subordinated to anyone from its inception. He said that current trade between INDIA and CHINA amounts to 40 Billion USD is likely to reach to 400 Billion by the year 2012 as there are maximum number of consumers exist in these two countries.

In the concluding remark, on an optimistic note he said that, by the year 2020 there will be 2 super powers in the world, and that would be INDIA and CHINA, as 1/3 rd of the World’s total population live in these 2 countries.

27TH DECEMBER’ 2007

SDR. BUDHAJI RAO MULIK, Spoke on“ Prioritizing Agriculture Will Only Lead India to
a Super Power In 2020”

just a part of the cultivation system but their real problems are never looked upon. It's very sad to note the facts that India being the 2nd largest populous country in the world, with the income of 82 crores of people as less as Rs.20/- per day. The detail below shows the economic condition of the majority of people. 7Crores of people earns/gets< Rs 9/- per Day. 16 Crores of people earns/gets < Rs 12/- per Day. 20 Crores of people earns/gets < Rs 15/- per Day. 39 Crores of people earns/gets< Rs 20/- per Day. In the Indian Government every parliament member spends about 2.6 Lacs per month where the maximum Of the Indian population approx. 82% are earning/ living with just less than Rs.20/- per day. Its is also very distressing to note that the Annual Budget for agriculture in the Year 1951 being 25% has been limited to just 2% of the annual budget by the year 1990. Since the start of globalization in 1990 all the ruling parties have turned a blind eye to the farmers by just paying attention to the technology sectors. As the time passed by Agriculture and especially farmers are given the least priority. Agriculture is purely dependent on the nature's discretion and is very vulnerable to floods, cyclones, droughts etc. It is the only sector which is most vulnerable to natures' deeds. Foreign countries have good protection policies and systems for the well being of farmers and they are protected from any natural calamities and economic changes in the form of Insurance. They are very well protected by their respective governments. There it is a dignity to be as a farmer and India the situation is quite contrary and here the farmers are distressed with insecurity. Though the Central government of India announced waiver of farming loans to the tune of about Rs. 60,000 crores its not sufficient to change the current sufferings of the farmers. Farmers need to be given a better package for them to be confident that they are protected from the natural disasters. It will be a good Idea if the political leaders who are ruling the government make a policy such as “SAZs" (Special Agriculture Zones) to declare some good and attractive packages to the farming community. It's worth while giving the farming community enough confidence to look at the agriculture as the good prospect rather than looking cultivation as a hardship. It will become very difficult and food shortages may arise in the very near future if the farming community is not properly addressed. Technological progress is always important but not at the expense of the downfall of basic amenities (i.e., food, water, clean environment). As the global requirements of the food is also growing and the Indian population is also growing at a rapid rate producing the required food through the agriculture is only the way where we can be self sustainable and progress forward.

12TH SEPTEMBER' 2008

SHRI. ASHEESH SHARMA (I.A.S), Spoke on “ "POLICY IM PLEM ENTATION"”

He initiated the lecture by briefing about the various services provided by the Pimpri - Chinchwad Muncipal Corporation (PCMC) in different areas. PCMC is a Model Corporation for the entire ountry having a citizen charter which has made it more efficient. From transparency in administration, public accountability & evaluation of work, decentralized administration to active citizen articipation, PCMC has emerged as an exception. Mr. Sharma before proceeding with the lecture highlighted the success stories of the corporation namely , e- governance, free distribution of bicycle for girls, sewing machines & vocation training program s for woman, financial / scholarship system, Adulteration entrepreneurship promotions schemes.Regarding policy implementation, he pointed out the practical difficulties inrunning a corporation. He stressed on the need for Public interest & Public choice viewpoint as well as adoption of Performance- Oriented Policy.According to him, the policy of PARTCIPATORY BUDGETING, an innovation to bring about progressive and sustainable development was the need of the time. He pointed out the absence of Good Pressure Groups as well as Citizen Interest Groups in the country.Mr. Sharma mentioned certain flaws in the systems that create problems in policy implementation, primarily the Top to Bottom approach of our policies. Also the lack of involvement of local people, no real powers with he local government, along with lack of genuine statistical data are major hindrances in policy implementation.Having been through all these problems, he shared his concerns that innovations are practically hard to implement.

She started the interaction with discussion on how one's attitude can help in having a successful and sustainable political career. She stressed on some very important Characteristics a politician should have in order to deliver as a leader. Having a balance and unbiased mind with firm determination would help one sail through the deep waters. Introspection, Pragmatic approach, innovations, assertiveness, correctness are some qualities one needs to develop. She stressed upon having a vision, being futuristic (in context of the scientific development, time management and proper Utilization of technology) as well as being efficient. She also shared her views on how humility with contrasting fearlessness, along with the continuous process of learning can Elevate a person in her/ his social as well as personal life. Regarding the philosophy in politics she focused on the concept of "RAJ DHARMA". According to her, it included 'euphoria of work, restrictions of code of conduct, constitutional frame work and Strategies along with a political will’. She suggested all to have a ‘quest to know', be composed, have great common sense & aspire to create modern inventions. Mrs. Patil advised the participants to show genuine sensitivity and have a detailed understanding of the country in order to lead from the front. She cautioned about the main disease That hampers a leader "Difficulty in facing criticism as well as difficulty in tackling flattery". Thus she stressed on the need of having right expressions. She shared her views at length and left participants to ponder about many crucial personality development characteristics. On the whole, it was a session of the youth, by a youth and for the youth.