The SP manifesto has become a widely circulated joke. A copy of the entire manifesto is not available online at the web site of the samajwadi party does not have the manifesto. Also no points regarding Secuirty could be found in any of the jokes made by them.
The BSP leader has declared that they dont believe in promises but only in delivering. A nice way to say you have to accept watever we deliver? May be BSP achievements speak louder than words, but its put a bare neccessity that any party should highlight the action plan it will use when it comes to power. Bahujan Samajwadi parties stand on providing security still reamins unclear.
NCP manifesto does not talk about any change in security other than food security. Improving the police force ? why should it be done? :) Nationalist Congress Party also does not list internal security among the "Important issues before the country", so am feeling safe already.
The more manifestos we see, the more we are certain that parties dont fight elections based on manifestos or issues like change.
Monday, April 13, 2009
JDS - Promise #1 - Comprehensive defence policy
Promise #1:
JDS manifesto - People want
1) The Janata Dal (Secular) party will give top priority to modernize and strengthen our defence preparedness. As a first step, our party will build a minimum nuclear deterrent force as a safeguard against any unexpected eventualities. Corresponding to the development of minimum nuclear deterrence force, the Janata Dal (Secular) party will encourage the development of weapons delivery system like nuclear weapon carrier missiles. The Janata Dal (Secular) party will encourage the building of ICBMs. - What about Internal security? is the police force going to be modernised or not?
2)India has come to be surrounded by countries with space weapons capability. Therefore, the Janata Dal (Secular) party will create a new division within ISRO to develop space weapons system for use as quickly as possible. - Are you aware of the Outer Space Treaty and the SALT II treaty? How will the pressure from the international community be handled
3)The Janata Dal (Secular) party will create Airborne Brigade, Assault Landing Brigade and a Helicopter Gunship Brigade by acquiring more fighter aircrafts, helicopters and aircraft carriers. It will create four units of Rapid-Assault Force to be stationed in four corners of the country for dealing with any terrorist attack. -Just the four corners? why not all state capitals?
4)The Janata Dal (Secular) party will create a new section of defence procurement within each of the embassies in major countries with the responsibility of collecting information about new defence hardware and software ready for use and sale and acquiring them after the approval by the appropriate authority. Though there is a military attaché in each of our embassies, they simply do defence surveillance work. Hence, we will assign them clearly defined specific tasks to help the country to modernize its defence equipments by constantly watching the developments in defence related science and technology and feeding the information to the defence ministry which will help in their decision making.- Why are we still dependent on other countries? why not have indigenous development?
JDS manifesto - People want
1) The Janata Dal (Secular) party will give top priority to modernize and strengthen our defence preparedness. As a first step, our party will build a minimum nuclear deterrent force as a safeguard against any unexpected eventualities. Corresponding to the development of minimum nuclear deterrence force, the Janata Dal (Secular) party will encourage the development of weapons delivery system like nuclear weapon carrier missiles. The Janata Dal (Secular) party will encourage the building of ICBMs. - What about Internal security? is the police force going to be modernised or not?
2)India has come to be surrounded by countries with space weapons capability. Therefore, the Janata Dal (Secular) party will create a new division within ISRO to develop space weapons system for use as quickly as possible. - Are you aware of the Outer Space Treaty and the SALT II treaty? How will the pressure from the international community be handled
3)The Janata Dal (Secular) party will create Airborne Brigade, Assault Landing Brigade and a Helicopter Gunship Brigade by acquiring more fighter aircrafts, helicopters and aircraft carriers. It will create four units of Rapid-Assault Force to be stationed in four corners of the country for dealing with any terrorist attack. -Just the four corners? why not all state capitals?
4)The Janata Dal (Secular) party will create a new section of defence procurement within each of the embassies in major countries with the responsibility of collecting information about new defence hardware and software ready for use and sale and acquiring them after the approval by the appropriate authority. Though there is a military attaché in each of our embassies, they simply do defence surveillance work. Hence, we will assign them clearly defined specific tasks to help the country to modernize its defence equipments by constantly watching the developments in defence related science and technology and feeding the information to the defence ministry which will help in their decision making.- Why are we still dependent on other countries? why not have indigenous development?
CPI (M) - Promise #1 - Against Terrorism
Promise #1:CPI (M)Manifesto - People want
The CPI (M) stands for:
1) Revamping the intelligence machinery and enhanced coordinationbetween security and intelligence agencies - How?
2) The Federal Investigating Agency functioning without violating the federal structure and ensuring association of State Governments forinvestigation within a particular State
3) Modernisation of the Police forces - by doing what? police force can be said to have modernised by giving them mobile phones, so be more specific.
4) Strengthening of the coastal security system - how?
5) Amending the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act to remove draconian provisions like detention without bail for 180 days, threeyears imprisonment for withholding information, etc. what does etc include? Hopefully it does not include murder :)
The CPI (M) stands for:
1) Revamping the intelligence machinery and enhanced coordinationbetween security and intelligence agencies - How?
2) The Federal Investigating Agency functioning without violating the federal structure and ensuring association of State Governments forinvestigation within a particular State
3) Modernisation of the Police forces - by doing what? police force can be said to have modernised by giving them mobile phones, so be more specific.
4) Strengthening of the coastal security system - how?
5) Amending the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act to remove draconian provisions like detention without bail for 180 days, threeyears imprisonment for withholding information, etc. what does etc include? Hopefully it does not include murder :)
Sunday, April 12, 2009
BJP Promise # 1 - NATIONAL SECURITY
The 12 points regarding National Security which makeup Promise #1:
BJP Manifesto - People want
The BJP will initiate the following measures within 100 days of coming to power:
1. Revive the anti-terror mechanism that has been dismantled by the Congress; improve upon POTA to ensure it is more effective as an instrument of deterrence and a tool to prosecute offenders without innocent people being harassed; and, strengthen the operational role of the National Investigating Agency. - Can we get more specifics rather than broad terms like strengthen, improve.
2. Give assent to laws drafted by State Governments for dealing with organised crime and terrorism; encourage other State Governments to adopt similar laws. - Which state governments?
3. Launch a massive programme to detect, detain and deport illegal immigrants. - How massive? will the identification of each person in India be checked?
4. Completely revamp the internal and external intelligence agencies and review the existing system of coordination, convergence and dissemination of intelligence inputs. A massive exercise will be undertaken to modernise intelligence agencies so that they are better equipped to use technology and cope with the rapidly changing trends and patterns of terrorism at home and abroad. The National Security Council will be made the hub of all sector-related assessments. It will be accountable for real-time intelligence dissemination;intelligence agencies will be held responsible for lapses. Appointments to intelligence agencies will be on merit and not because of political patronage as has been the system during the Congress years. - The same list of hopes applies for BJP as it applies for the congress in terms of modernisation.
5. A Digital Security Agency will be set up to deal with cyber warfare, cyber counterterrorism,and cyber security of national digital assets. - This seems new :) trying to impress the tech crowd?
6. State Governments will be provided with all assistance to modernise their respective police forces and equip them with the latest weaponry and communications technology.This will be done on a mission mode approach. The police are the first responders to any crisis situation. Drawing lessons from experience, police forces will be trained and fully equipped to deal with situations similar to that of Mumbai and in meeting the challenge posed by Maoists and insurgents. - Will states ruled by Non-BJP givernmnets be given support?
7. Border management will be reviewed and improved. Punitive measures will be introduced to block illegal immigration. Please be more specific- hopefully the review and improvements will be clarifeid when implemented.
8. India’s vast coastline is virtually unprotected. Coastal security will be strengthened for better patrolling of Indian waters and preventing terrorists from taking the sea route to enter India. A National Maritime Authority will be set up to coordinate coastal security. Strengthened how? new equipment? increase in size?
9. Special courts will be set up for speedy prosecution of those involved with acts of terrorism.Their trial shall be fair and justice will be done to the victims swiftly. Special courts that follow the constitution or not ? What is the meaning of special courts? does it mean separate courts or separate laws or separate judges?
10. Coercive measures, including diplomacy, will be used to deal with countries which promote cross-border terrorism. India will engage with the world in the global war on terror while not compromising on its domestic interests, primarily protecting citizens from the ravages of terrorism. :)
11. The Centre will facilitate better inter-State coordination and real-time intelligence-sharing,apart from helping States to raise anti-insurgency forces, to face the threat posed by Maoists. The ‘Chhattisgarh Model’ will be used for counter-Maoist operations. At the same time, every effort will be made to address the social and economic issues that make the ground fertile for Left-wing extremism. - Real time intelligence sharing? how?
12. Any talks with insurgent groups will be conditional and within the framework of the Constitution.The BJP will send out a simple message, loud and clear, to terrorists and their sponsors:They will have to pay a heavy price for each innocent life lost. Retribution will be swift and exemplary. The authority of the state, which has been diminished by the Congress in pursuit of vote-bank politics, shall be restored. - How? What measures will be taken to do these?
National Identity Cards for All
The BJP will launch an innovative programme to establish a countrywide system of multipurpose national identity cards so as to ensure national security, correct welfare delivery,accurate tax collection, financial inclusion and voter registration. Voter identity cards, PANcards, passports, ration cards and BPL cards are already in use though not all with photoidentity. The NDA proposes to make it incumbent for every Indian to have a National IdentityCard. The programme will be completed in three years.The National Identity Card will contain enough memory and processing capabilities to run multiple applications. Through it the NDA will ensure efficient welfare delivery and tax collection. The card will also be linked to a bank account. All welfare payments, including widow and old age pensions, through the wide range of schemes such as Mother and Childsupport/ Kisan Credit, Students Assistance and Micro-Credit will be channelised through the National Identity Card. The card will make it possible for individuals to save and borrow money;for farmers to get bank credit, also establish accurate land titles data.The National Identity Card will also strengthen national security by ensuring accurate citizen identity, thus tracking illegal immigration. All financial transactions, purchase of property and access to public services will be possible only on the basis of the National Identity Card which will be made forgery and hacking resistant.
National Identity card of BJP is more specific than Congress :) But at least we can be assured that if any of these two come to power we can be assured of a National Identity card.
The Promise # 1 can be accessed based on the implementation of each of above 12 targets and the National Identity card.
BJP Manifesto - People want
The BJP will initiate the following measures within 100 days of coming to power:
1. Revive the anti-terror mechanism that has been dismantled by the Congress; improve upon POTA to ensure it is more effective as an instrument of deterrence and a tool to prosecute offenders without innocent people being harassed; and, strengthen the operational role of the National Investigating Agency. - Can we get more specifics rather than broad terms like strengthen, improve.
2. Give assent to laws drafted by State Governments for dealing with organised crime and terrorism; encourage other State Governments to adopt similar laws. - Which state governments?
3. Launch a massive programme to detect, detain and deport illegal immigrants. - How massive? will the identification of each person in India be checked?
4. Completely revamp the internal and external intelligence agencies and review the existing system of coordination, convergence and dissemination of intelligence inputs. A massive exercise will be undertaken to modernise intelligence agencies so that they are better equipped to use technology and cope with the rapidly changing trends and patterns of terrorism at home and abroad. The National Security Council will be made the hub of all sector-related assessments. It will be accountable for real-time intelligence dissemination;intelligence agencies will be held responsible for lapses. Appointments to intelligence agencies will be on merit and not because of political patronage as has been the system during the Congress years. - The same list of hopes applies for BJP as it applies for the congress in terms of modernisation.
5. A Digital Security Agency will be set up to deal with cyber warfare, cyber counterterrorism,and cyber security of national digital assets. - This seems new :) trying to impress the tech crowd?
6. State Governments will be provided with all assistance to modernise their respective police forces and equip them with the latest weaponry and communications technology.This will be done on a mission mode approach. The police are the first responders to any crisis situation. Drawing lessons from experience, police forces will be trained and fully equipped to deal with situations similar to that of Mumbai and in meeting the challenge posed by Maoists and insurgents. - Will states ruled by Non-BJP givernmnets be given support?
7. Border management will be reviewed and improved. Punitive measures will be introduced to block illegal immigration. Please be more specific- hopefully the review and improvements will be clarifeid when implemented.
8. India’s vast coastline is virtually unprotected. Coastal security will be strengthened for better patrolling of Indian waters and preventing terrorists from taking the sea route to enter India. A National Maritime Authority will be set up to coordinate coastal security. Strengthened how? new equipment? increase in size?
9. Special courts will be set up for speedy prosecution of those involved with acts of terrorism.Their trial shall be fair and justice will be done to the victims swiftly. Special courts that follow the constitution or not ? What is the meaning of special courts? does it mean separate courts or separate laws or separate judges?
10. Coercive measures, including diplomacy, will be used to deal with countries which promote cross-border terrorism. India will engage with the world in the global war on terror while not compromising on its domestic interests, primarily protecting citizens from the ravages of terrorism. :)
11. The Centre will facilitate better inter-State coordination and real-time intelligence-sharing,apart from helping States to raise anti-insurgency forces, to face the threat posed by Maoists. The ‘Chhattisgarh Model’ will be used for counter-Maoist operations. At the same time, every effort will be made to address the social and economic issues that make the ground fertile for Left-wing extremism. - Real time intelligence sharing? how?
12. Any talks with insurgent groups will be conditional and within the framework of the Constitution.The BJP will send out a simple message, loud and clear, to terrorists and their sponsors:They will have to pay a heavy price for each innocent life lost. Retribution will be swift and exemplary. The authority of the state, which has been diminished by the Congress in pursuit of vote-bank politics, shall be restored. - How? What measures will be taken to do these?
National Identity Cards for All
The BJP will launch an innovative programme to establish a countrywide system of multipurpose national identity cards so as to ensure national security, correct welfare delivery,accurate tax collection, financial inclusion and voter registration. Voter identity cards, PANcards, passports, ration cards and BPL cards are already in use though not all with photoidentity. The NDA proposes to make it incumbent for every Indian to have a National IdentityCard. The programme will be completed in three years.The National Identity Card will contain enough memory and processing capabilities to run multiple applications. Through it the NDA will ensure efficient welfare delivery and tax collection. The card will also be linked to a bank account. All welfare payments, including widow and old age pensions, through the wide range of schemes such as Mother and Childsupport/ Kisan Credit, Students Assistance and Micro-Credit will be channelised through the National Identity Card. The card will make it possible for individuals to save and borrow money;for farmers to get bank credit, also establish accurate land titles data.The National Identity Card will also strengthen national security by ensuring accurate citizen identity, thus tracking illegal immigration. All financial transactions, purchase of property and access to public services will be possible only on the basis of the National Identity Card which will be made forgery and hacking resistant.
National Identity card of BJP is more specific than Congress :) But at least we can be assured that if any of these two come to power we can be assured of a National Identity card.
The Promise # 1 can be accessed based on the implementation of each of above 12 targets and the National Identity card.
Congress manifesto Promise # 1
The first promise from the manifesto is given below (hope to discuss each one in detail in the next few posts): Congress Manifesto - Peoples hope
Promise # 1 : We will guarantee the maximum possible security to each and every citizen by doing the following:
1) Process of equipping our police and other specialist security forces with the latest weapons and technology to meet terrorist threats. We the people hope the latest weapons and technology will include but will not be limited to:
1.1) Personal weapon up gradation at all levels.
1.2) Bulletproof vests for at least the specialist battalions.
1.3) Sophisticated night vision technology allowing maneuvering and combat at night.
2) More specialist battalions will be raised and positioned in key locations across the country. Although the exact security measures are not listed - We the people can safely assume Key locations include all the metros and state capitals will have such specialist battalions?Its not clear by which date this promise will be implemented - can we expect it within 100 days of oath taking?
3) Provide every Indian with a unique identity card after the publication of the national population register in the year 2011.Will this identity card be different from the voter id card? What will its function be? Can it be used as a combination of PAN Card, Driving license, voter id, passport, ration card and all other government issued cards? Can we expect this to be completed by December 2011? Will this identity information be accessible through a centralized database to the police and security forces?
The Promise # 1 can be accessed based on the implementation of each of above 3 targets.
Promise # 1 : We will guarantee the maximum possible security to each and every citizen by doing the following:
1) Process of equipping our police and other specialist security forces with the latest weapons and technology to meet terrorist threats. We the people hope the latest weapons and technology will include but will not be limited to:
1.1) Personal weapon up gradation at all levels.
1.2) Bulletproof vests for at least the specialist battalions.
1.3) Sophisticated night vision technology allowing maneuvering and combat at night.
2) More specialist battalions will be raised and positioned in key locations across the country. Although the exact security measures are not listed - We the people can safely assume Key locations include all the metros and state capitals will have such specialist battalions?Its not clear by which date this promise will be implemented - can we expect it within 100 days of oath taking?
3) Provide every Indian with a unique identity card after the publication of the national population register in the year 2011.Will this identity card be different from the voter id card? What will its function be? Can it be used as a combination of PAN Card, Driving license, voter id, passport, ration card and all other government issued cards? Can we expect this to be completed by December 2011? Will this identity information be accessible through a centralized database to the police and security forces?
The Promise # 1 can be accessed based on the implementation of each of above 3 targets.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Indian politics seems to be entering the cybercanvasing ers
Just google for "Manmohan Singh" in google and don't be surprised to see an Google ad for BJP's prime ministerial candidate Advani. See the screenshot below:
The election wars have come into the cyberspace finally. So does the politician worry about the educated net savy user? Surely he does. The times are changing, every vote counts and the politician wants to leave no leaf unturned. Cybercanvasing is surely a step towards our greater dream of a manifesto maker. Lets wait for a day when we the People can decide what our policies should be.
The election wars have come into the cyberspace finally. So does the politician worry about the educated net savy user? Surely he does. The times are changing, every vote counts and the politician wants to leave no leaf unturned. Cybercanvasing is surely a step towards our greater dream of a manifesto maker. Lets wait for a day when we the People can decide what our policies should be.
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