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It's
About Politics
The limits on Finance Minister Yashwant
Sinha's budget this year are political. He has the prescription to put
the economy on a high growth track, but hampered by vested interests,
vote-bank politics and stubborn opposition parties, he is unlikely to
deliver.
The
Rot in Farming
Falling prices, stagnating production
and diminishing returns are brewing an unparalleled crisis in farmlands
across India. Ironically, the alarming situation has arisen despite an
unprecedented 12 consecutive normal monsoons.
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STATES
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Creeping
Paralysis
Doubts over Keshubhai Patel's fitness to rule
are growing after his government failed to provide basic relief like tents
to those affected by the earthquake. Despite having speedily restored
electricity and water, which earned praise from some international agencies,
criticism over Patel's poor marshalling of resources continues.
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THE ARTS
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Artless
Artistry
The festival tried to exhibit the widest selection
rather than the best, making it a disappointing show.
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NEIGHBOURS
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Stillness of Change
The legendary bamboo curtain is lifting to reveal
that Myanmar isn't quite the "fascist Disneyland" it is made out to be.
The winds of change have brought back English as the medium of instruction
and Aung San Suu Kyi is talking to the military. After prolonged isolation,
Yangon wants to face the world, but on its own terms.
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Home |
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CRIME: CHAMBAL DACOITS
Licensed To Kill
Unbridled issue of licences
for arms is feeding dacoity
in the Chambal ravines
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| OVER THE COUNTER: The easy availability of
arms has spawned dacoits in Chambal |
If power flows from
the barrel of a gun, the Chambal ravines must be the most powerful region
in the country. There are almost 55,000 licensed arms in the seven districts
of Madhya Pradesh that fall in the Chambal region. With 70 arms stores,
Bhind district, which is in the heart of the ravines and has a population
of about two lakh, has more weaponry outlets than the rest of the state
combined. That's because former home minister Gobind Singh, who hails
from the Chambal region, issued more arms licences in his tenure than
he spent days in office.
The availability of guns
and ammunition is one of the major factors fuelling dacoity in the region.
Singh had also issued licences to three of his relatives to run authorised
ammunition outlets in Datia. Worse, he sanctioned more than 50,000 rounds
of ammunition-enough to sustain an armed assault in Kargil-for each of
these three outlets. If it were not for an alert bureaucrat who struck
down the sanction as soon as Singh was divested of the home portfolio,
Datia would have become a virtual arsenal.
Why does a shop requires so much ammunition
when a licensed gun holder is allowed only 50 rounds in a year and an
estimated 80 per cent usually do not use their quotas? The answer is simple.
The bullets are sold to dacoits. State Home Minister Mahendra Baudh says
that from this year, only those licence holders who return empty shells
will be sold new bullets. Good idea, but how will he stop arms dealers
from giving guns on hire? A 12 bore gun which costs Rs 15,000 can be hired
for Rs 5,000 and returned after it has done the job. In the Chambal valley,
power-and money-do indeed flow from the barrel of a gun.
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METRO TODAY |
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 Web
Exclusives |
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The Indian Navy's International Fleet Review
was a fine effort at naval diplomacy which the Government would do well
to build on, writes INDIA TODAY's Principal Correspondent Sandeep Unnithan
in
Despatches.
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INTERVIEWS
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"The
only obvious competition is in bhangra," say the Pakistani duo of
the music group, Strings, in an exclusive interview with INDIA TODAY's
Sonia Faleiro.
Interviews.
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