Kartik Lokhande's blog

By Kartik Lokhande As the Central Government under Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi completes one year in the office, already there is much high-pitched discussion whether it has been successful in ushering in ‘Achche Din’ (good days) for the people. And, instead of helping in shaping a balanced view, there is clear distinction based broadly on political inclinations – yes and no. The supporters say that good days are here, and the critics say that the promised goods have not been delivered. If one looks beyond the smokescreen of television-centric debate over the issue, one finds that in some areas the good days have already arrived and in certain areas they are on the horizon. Also, in several areas, groundwork is being done so that the results will be visible in years to come. Having said that let us look at some broader points. For the long years of the rule of Congress and its allies, the focus was only on religion and caste centric politics. There was appease...

* NHAI to conduct survey of 3 lakh km of road length using the advanced system Staff Reporter National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), made a presentation on Road Network Survey planned through a specially equipped survey vehicle, at the residence of Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Surface Transport and Highways, here on Sunday. Soon after the presentation, Gadkari performed pooja of the survey vehicle to formally launch the survey. Talking briefly to reporters on this occasion, Gadkari said that the Road Measurement Data Acquisition System (ROMDAS) for road network survey would be helpful in mapping the roads and knowing the condition of roads. Such vehicles and technique of road network survey are already in use in various countries of the world. This particular vehicle has been brought to India from New Zealand. “The survey and the well-equipped vehicle will help in curbing corruption and expediting the pace of quality development, especially in remote and inacce...

By Kartik Lokhande Mr Amit Shah, National President of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is ruling at the Centre and in several states, must be appreciated for his latest statement that rampant corruption is hampering development of North-Eastern states. For, despite pumping in thousands of crores of rupees in the past several decades, much has been left to be desired as far as development in the North-Eastern states is concerned. During his speech at Chumkedmia Police Complex near Dimapur a couple of days ago, Mr Shah rightly pointed out, “Developmental policies and funds provided by the Central Government for developmental purposes do not reach the people.” Of course, he is not the first person to have made such a statement. Right from political leaders to surrendered militants to retired bureaucrats to military officers to national-level policy planners, many have spoken about the issue of rampant corruption in the North-Eastern states and its adverse impact on dev...