From: venkat@ces.cwru.edu (Ghost Buster)
Subject: Re: West Bengal: Communists out, ? in
Organization: Computer Engineering and Science, Case Western Reserve University
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 92 22:10:10 GMT

Hello,

This posting is in response to Partha Roy's call for solutions
to the current imbroglio on the net regarding the alternative 
to CPI(M) in Bengal. 

If we think with a rational mind and digest the various postings
on this subject the one and only conclusion one arrives at is:

NOBODY IS HAPPY WITH THE CPI(M) RULE AND THE CONG(I) OR THE BJP
DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE A VERY FAVOURABLE CHOICE TO REPLACE THE 
RULING PARTY.

That leaves us with just one solution. It may sound a bit wierd
but what the heck. If we cant thrash this idea out and reflect
on it we should stick with the status quo. The solution is:

Dismiss the ruling party. Bring in presidential rule.

I know the above will not be easy. Ok, the ruling party will
cry foul if they are ousted just like that or on a flimsy 
ground but if the public can come together for once and say

"We dont want this government any more.", through public
litigations it might work.

Before somebody starts squeling about injustice, trouncing of
democratic rights etc. I would suggest that they review the
performance of this government. If they are satisfied with the
endless power cuts, lack of decent public transportation, the
I-dont-care-what-happens attitude of the government employees
(who incidentally are keen on their once in 15 minutes chai (tea)
and cigarette breaks and the football games), fine stick with it.
Others who would like to see all this change should come together
and contribute to this cause.

Public litigations are costly, so where does the money come from?
The money has to come from the companies who are interested in
setting up industries in Calcutta and tapping into the market.
OK, so they put in the money and how do they get their returns? 
Well, they will have to wait for a little time and maybe the 
next para will give them a clue.

Assuming that the ruling party is dismissed and presidential
rule is brought in. Now comes the getting-your-act-together 
phase. This requires the selection of a non-partisan governor
and a dedicated team of officials. Not very difficult to achieve 
if the ruling party at the Centre wants a stint at governing the
fortunes of Calcutta in the future.

Now for the getting-your-act-together phase. The first mistake
committed when president's rule is imposed is witch-hunting. That
is dismissing officials on the grounds of being close to the 
ruling party. Now this should be avoided. The ultimatum that
should be put out is that whoever does not deliver gets the 
boot. Again this can be achieved if the governor is non-partisan.
OK, now let everybody keep their posts but the governor and
his advisors monitor their performance. Anybody found lacking
should be thrown out. No ifs, ands or buts. At this stage the
amount of red-tape involved in day to day beuracratic processes
should be reduced and industries given the oppurtunity to
approach the government for permission to set up factories,
plants etc. All amenities should be provided for them to set
up their industries and prosper. This would generate new jobs,
revenue for the state and the increased market oppurtunities
could swell the company coffers giving them back the money 
they shelled out for the public litigations. The increased
performance criteria would hopefully make the government 
employees more vigilant in executing their duties. 

Creation of new jobs and increased amenities like proper 
transportation, eradication of power cuts and improved public
relations on the part of government services would make the
ruling party at the Centre popular with the public and they
could expand on the foundation laid during PR when and if
they get to govern Bengal. This would also make the life of
dedicated officials whose hands may have been tied during
the CPI(M) rule a bit easier and help them produce their best
at work. The public too could use a little breathing space.

This looks like the only solution that could succeed in putting
Calcutta back in its tracks. 

I am not an outsider but very much a native of Calcutta who
has spent a lot of time there. My parents are still in
Calcutta and so I would like to see this city stand tall
again. Most of my observations regarding the functioning of
the government service is based on experiences with the
postman, the postoffice, the railway booking counter and 
miriad other govrnment offices.

I would appreciate it if the netters who are debating on
Calcutta take time to read my posting objectively and 
criticise the points I have raised. I would also like to
see alternate suggestions. Lets not waste time flaming me
but see if this article could spawn a thread of thought
provoking ideas and hope that we arrive at a solution.

Thanks y'all.

Venky