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Journalism of Courage
Y2K = More advances
It is not only international airlines that are worried about India8217;s Y2K preparedness. Using Jalan and Montek to spread the Y2K message is all very well, but the RBI is taking no chances with the salaries of government employees. Deputy Governor Y V Reddy, we hear, met state government representatives to ensure that salary payments are completed before December 31. But such is the bankruptcy of most states that they immediately seem to have asked for a rise in the ways and means advances.
Speeding on infrastructure
The Mumbai-Pune Expressway is quietly making rapid progress despite hurdles such as litigation. Its top brass is confident that India8217;s first real expressway will be open to the public no later than April 2. But will the Congress-led coalition push ahead with infrastructure projects with the same enthusiasm? The government has a confusing way of going about it, but the short answer is 8220;yes8221;. For instance, everybody knows that the Maharashtra State RoadDevelopment Corporation8217;s MSRDC ruthless implementation of projects and ability to cut through red-tape have led to the quick completion of its road projects.
The Naidu effect
Thanks to Cyber Naidu8217;s success, every state in western India has caught the IT bug and for the first time they are competing fiercely for business. Take a look at what is on offer.Maharashtra, still the top investment destination, is setting up three IT parks to form a 8220;knowledge corridor8221; between Mumbai and Pune, linked by the country8217;s first modern expressway. It is also among the few states that can provide continuous power supply. In Karnataka, S M Krishna has made it clear that he will give Naidu a run for his money and re-establish Bangalore8217;s eminence as Indian Silicon Valley.
Gujarat is combining IT with infrastructure and tourism development as a part of its agenda called Vision 2010. This includes an IT corridor, information kiosks and internet connection to all schools by 2001. Rajastan and MP are in the race too. But it is Tamil Nadu that is emerging the dark horse. A survey shows that the state beats Andhra and Maharashtra as the favoured destination for business, mainly because of its affordability, availability of good education centres and quality-of-life. The tie-up between Reliance and Sam Pitroda8217;s WorldTel to create internet access centres will put the state ina winning position.
New Judge at the Special Court
THE wheels of justice turn so slowly that even the most sensational cases lose their relevance. Does anybody know what is happening in the two events which shook the country in 1992 and 1993 8212; the securities scam and the serial bomb blasts? Newspapers have stopped regular coverage of the courts. But at least big developments such as the change in judges attracted some attention. Nobody cares about that either, except those whose lives are directly affected. Recently, the Mumbai High Court appointed Justice D K Trivedi to head the Special Court for scam related cases, but most newspapers did not even bother to report the development 8212; after all, he too may retire or be transferred without giving a judgement. It is one thing for the Chief Justice of India to blame the government for delays in appointing judges, but the pressure for much needed reforms such as simplification of procedures, understandable language and alternate dispute resolutionavenues has to come from within the judiciary.
Author8217;s email: suchetadalalyahoo.com
