Friday, March 12, 2010

MULLAPERIYAR DAM

MULLAPERIYAR DAM-TO BE OR NOT TO BE-
Lot of hue & cry was raised on the stability of the Dam and also the dispute on the sharing of water between the neighboring states. A purely technical matter should not have been taken to that level of thinking by the Politicians who may not be aware of the damage it can cause if not remedial action is taken in rebuilding the fatigued structure adopting latest Engineering methods to avoid further damage to the dam. The Dam built more than a century back has lived its designed life. This structure is fatigued and if allowed to continue in such condition it may cause disastrous situation to the people of the neighboring areas.
Now to safe guard against this dangerous situation we have to take immediate steps to construct a new dam at the same site or elsewhere. The construction of the new dam, at a new site downstream will necessitate evacuation of the people from the catchment area and other attended difficulties.
To avoid this difficulty, it is suggested that we build the new dam at the existing site butting against the old dam with the same configuration but of latest design. Also the design must consider the pressure of the impounding water as if the exiting dam is not THERE. The top level of the new dam may be slightly proud of the existing road level. The old dam will not be demolished or disturbed during or after the construction of the new one.
In case the new dam is constructed on the downstream side, in addition to the inundation of the areas on the downstream side, free flow of water will be obstructed by the old dam..
Therefore the authorities may think it over and decide on this burning issue early to avoid any calamity …

Abraham Mangalath IRSE. (Retd)

INDIA OUR MOTHER LAND

Independence and Thereafter

We fought for freedom from the foreign rulers and after Independence we conveniently forgot our Goal for which we struggled for becoming a free nation without any foreign domination.
Now what is happening after 63 years of freedom? We are daily plunging ourselves into deep and incorrigible misdoings on account of political rivalry culminating in destructive activities. When we have our own elected representatives to manage the day to day affairs of the Government machinery, why such in- fight and disharmony amongst our political stalwarts? Now it is seen that our Security is worse than before when we were depending on the foreign powers .Our own leaders are digging our graves for an unceremonious Burial. Unless this type of rivalry and party leadership goes off, we will be destined to DIE untimely very soon. God Almighty is watching this nasty GAME being played by these self made Leaders who come into power by threatening the poor people OR even killing them who go against their will.
The state of freedom as now - FREEDOM TO KILL- and - FREEDOM TO DIE, unheard-unhonoured and unsung !
The recent Budget and the followed discussions and arguments on the supply of FOOD GRAINS are an interesting study on our attitude and indifferent approach to the realities. The FCI go -downs in our state are filled with food grains for fair distribution amongst the public. But timely action is not taken at the appropriate level and the Grains remain in stock for long and get rotten in due course of time. The rodents and mice have their fill daily without any interference from outside.
I have visited most of the FCI go downs in Kerala during my active service in the Indian Railways. I have seen that the food grains are stacked in the go downs without proper cover to prevent damage. Also First Come First Serve principle is not followed in the distribution and the grains & stacks remain for longer period and become unfit for human consumption.
The people in authority have either overlooked this state of affairs OR did not want a fair distribution of food grains to the people in time. This caused the long storage of grains resulting in damage .I request the Ministers/officials to visit these go downs and take measures to prevent further loss to this essential commodity.
Can anybody think of such inaction by the officials to continue in a free country like INDIA? I feel that we should revamp the whole System of Administration by electing only committed and dedicated men/women to be our Leaders .Unless this change over takes place in the near future we may not exist. All must strive to protect the Life from ruination.
We have to “Strike other Chords “and play a different tune so that we all work in resonance and provide better conditions for the common man to live peacefully without the fear of being Captived by External forces. Our freedom must remain with us and should not be aT STAKE.

ABRAHAM MANGALATH

Thursday, March 11, 2010

BUDGET 2010 AND BEYOND

BUDGETING FOR YEAR 2010

We have been budgeting our Income & Expenditure since long. Nowhere could we strike a balance and the result was- debt in many ways. Taking loan from the World Bank or any other agency will not cure our inborn disease of “Over spending”. The saying “ Cut the cloth according to the size is important in our context.

A clear picture of what we intend to do from the resources we have, is an essential component in our forecast in the Budgeting Process. The Projected Income from different sources will only be a speculation which may or may not materialize in actual practice. But our projected expenses must be clear and calculated with utmost surveillance. The Income & Expenses must match each other with a view to keep the expenditure low to achieve Profit for THE RAINY DAYS. The timely completion of the projects will always lower the cost of construction. The targeted projects are delayed due to indifferent attitude of the executives & and the corrupt practices all around.

I have a few suggestions to make in this matter of balancing the Income & Expenses, whether at Government level or at private individual level in managing the house hold expenditure etc.

wasteful expenditure in any manner, in the areas of:-

Living habits-dressing

Living space-House & Flats

Food habits-

Luxury items

Time management

If all the above items of daily requirements are kept in control and precisely checked we may even save to an extent of 50% of the present expenditure we incur in our day to day life. Think about the FANCY items and other artistic items we possess which in other words will not have any productive value except the momentary pleasure of receiving from VIPs or from any other Institutions. Once the purchasing power is increased naturally we are tempted to purchase items, which on second thought we may hesitate.

To have an effective control over the money transaction, I would go to that extent of suggesting to impose ban on the use of MONEY through personal transaction between one person to another. All transaction must be through authorized Electronic media, Debiting /Crediting as the case may be through PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION CODE.

This will not only prevent corruption but also enable the authorities to find out the exact asset of each individual. That means the Taxation will be easy and the transfer of the dues from each person can be credited in the General Exchequer directly by the finance ministry.

Also the different slabs system to be abolished and a straight line formula to be adopted in the Taxing method. A flat rate of:-

Those earning up to 2 lakhs - No Tax

Those earning from 2 to 10 lakhs - 10% Tax

Those earning more than 10 lakhs - 25% Tax

The Cannons of financial Propriety must be held high in practice and the amount we spent on any PROJECT must be remunerative to an extent of 6 to 7% of the cost of project per annum. There should not be a case of desertion or closure of any project on the half way, resulting in a SINKING ASSET, which will ruin the whole finance ministry and the Country in general.