Opinion Flying low
An article in the CPMs weekly journal Peoples Democracy focuses on the defence ministrys decision to begin trials for the purchase of some 75 Basic Trainer Aircraft.
An article in the CPMs weekly journal Peoples Democracy focuses on the defence ministrys decision to begin trials for the purchase of some 75 Basic Trainer Aircraft.
Criticising the move,it says aircraft industry boffins,defence ministry bureaucrats and an ignorant or uncaring political leadership have failed to achieve self-reliance through the many technology transfers and licence manufacture agreements,and that they have not developed indigenous upgrades or replacements and dilly-dallied over essential acquisitions.
It adds: And finally,when severe force depletion in the IAF has reached its worst and the bargaining position is at its weakest,they have gone in for massive foreign acquisitions at exorbitant costs,killing domestic capability in the process… The story of the Indian aircraft industry is one of self-reliance now fully in reverse gear at its best a story of incompetence and mismanagement,and at its worst a massive con job even in the vital defence sector.
The article says trainer aircraft is one area in which the Indian aircraft industry has had reasonable successes and cites the examples of aircraft like the HPT-32 Deepak,the HJT-16 Kiran intermediate jet trainer and the HJT-36 Sitara.
Before the verdict
The lead editorial in the CPI journal New Age claims that the RSS and its various front organisations are planning to plunge the country into communal violence after the Ayodhya verdict in the Allahabad high court later this week.
It says the RSS and the VHP apprehend the verdict may go against them. Hence,they are making noises that,whatever may be the verdict of the court,they will go on demanding the construction of a Ram temple at Ayodhya.
It adds that the UPA government should have come out firmly against the threats of violating the court orders by the Sangh Parivar,but is instead keeping silent.
On Rahul Gandhi
The weekly news bulletin of the CPI(ML),ML Update,questions Rahul Gandhi in the light of his recent statements about funds despatched from Delhi not reaching the deserving beneficiaries in Bihar,the plight of migrant Bihari workers,and the need for the youth to join politics.
It asks: Why is it that the crown prince who swears by youth power has not a word for the Kashmiri students and youth who are being gunned down by the dozen for daring to come out on the streets in protest against repression?
Besides,before promising security and dignity for the migrant Bihari worker,it wonders,should he not say why Bihari workers engaged in Commonwealth Games-related construction work are subjected to sub-human living and working conditions and abysmally low wages? Gandhi is urged to throw some light on why the UPA government is refusing to honour the Supreme Court directive to distribute foodgrain free of cost among the starving poor before bragging about Central funds.
Compiled by Manoj C.G.
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