By Sanjeev Nayyar
Be it the corporate globe or the government, effecting modify is hard. Remember Ratan Tata’s battles with Russi Mody and so forth when he sought to give all group corporations a widespread identity, amongst other folks?
Status quo creates vested interests, and Punjab is no distinct. There is a political angle to these protests, if only the government was proactive. Read ‘This is about politics, not farmers rights’ (https://bit.ly/2JIY2ow).
Those who think that the Centre must have spoken to farmers prior to introducing the farm bills are mistaken. This is an all-India and not a Punjab-precise Bill.
Farmers fail to see that Punjab demands a second Green Revolution. Do they know that, according to a draft report of the Central Ground Water Board (North-Western area), Punjab will be rendered a desert inside 25 years if the exploitation of its underground water sources continues at the present price? (https://bit.ly/3oLbMyf).
Next, Indian governments do not have a tradition of speaking with the individuals of India prior to effecting modify. Did PV Narasimha Rao do so prior to introducing the 1991 reforms? Or did Sonia Gandhi speak to states prior to introducing the Right to Education Act? Note that in a democracy individuals elect leaders to take choices in the country’s interest. If the selection is anti-individuals, the government is voted out.
In the UK, former Prime Minister David Cameron forgot this when he known as for Brexit referendum. The public voted for exiting the European Union with no figuring out the pros and cons of becoming element of the EU. This info and intellect, an elected government is supposed to have. Having mentioned that, it is incumbent on the management or government to convince stakeholders on the have to have for modify and the excellent of their suggestions.
Here, the Centre could have accomplished greater for instance, has it told the citizens that the gap involving the outstanding money credit limit (supplied by banks to state government to fund procurement) and the worth of physical stocks with agencies was Rs 31,000 crore? (https://bit.ly/2JCGniB). Or that big farms in Punjab are also managed by a thekedar (contractor) who requires a theka (contract) of expanding generate, with the farmer getting net proceeds (no incentive to compete or modify), or the present technique permits rice/wheat from Uttar Pradesh/Bihar to be sold in Punjab/Haryana mandis and shared a report comparing excellent of wheat procured in Punjab versus Madhya Pradesh?
So, how could the government have effected modify?
Through several articles (English and Punjabi) the Centre could have constructed a case for modify. They could also have exposed the politician-obtaining agent-mandi boss nexus. The dilemma is a powerful perception that the state government desires status quo-vote bank politics. Knowing this, the Centre must have:
—Formed a crack group of communication specialists and these with domain understanding. Focus on factual information and neighborhood insights. Another group tracks comments on the social media. The group must include things like the minister for agriculture, spokespersons and leaders from Punjab.
—Two, prior to passing the ordinance, the Centre could have ready a FAQ (regularly asked inquiries) on why this Bill, important provisions, proposed added benefits specifically added revenue to farmers, farmer queries, how they would be addressed and parties who would be impacted negatively and how. It will have to give monetary influence of demands for instance, creating the minimum assistance cost a legal ideal.
The FAQ is also a way to double-verify reasonableness of the Bills’ proposals. Thus, the FAQ gives answers to most inquiries. The trick is to anticipate inquiries. This FAQ must be bounced off with a senior editor for important feedback.
I try to remember that in Hindustan Lever prior to every single annual common physique meeting, a management trainee was asked to prepare an FAQ on achievable shareholder inquiries. This way, every single answer was invariably a couple of seconds away.
The FAQ must be updated everyday and shared with the crack group.
The communication must be in English, Hindi and Punjabi. Writers can publish articles in these languages, print and on-line. The FAQ must be sent to Indian High Commissions in the UK and Canada exactly where Sikhs are a vote bank.
This course of action prevents misinformation, tends to make all speak in one particular voice, exposes protestors and unreasonableness of their demands. Having a fantastic notion is excellent, but it has to be sold, only then will there be a invest in-in by the stakeholders.
Since there is a possibility of foreign governments attempting to inflame feelings, the Ministry of Home Affairs will have to track protests 24×7. The MHA could determine important protestors in advance and share the FAQ. Ditto with public influencers.
In brief, what is expected is a vigorous outreach programme. The BJP does a fantastic job throughout elections. It demands to replicate the work while effecting modify. For how extended can the BJP rely on its supporters to defend its moves?
Nevertheless, some may perhaps nevertheless protest with intent to build public unrest or for political causes. The government will have to verify if such protestors are Indian citizens and their revenue-tax returns. If they are in company, what is the legal structure? Has their firm received foreign direct investment or foundation donations from abroad, plus have they incorporated company entities outdoors India?
This way, the government can be on major of the predicament. It also prevents derailing the important situation for instance, some have converted the farmer situation into a Hindu-Sikh one particular.
Since India has to impact substantial modify, it could possibly be helpful if the government puts IAS officers and politicians by means of modify management programmes.
The author is a chartered accountant and founder of www.esamskriti.com