Articles by Arun Sinha

BIHAR Legal Loopholes to Landlords' Rescue Arun Sinha THE Janata regime has not been successful in implementing land reforms. One reason for this is the strong resistance from feudal groups, represented mainly by the Jan Sangh. Secondly, there- is the argument that such soft-pedalling might make less frequent the massacre of landless peasants and sharecroppers which increased to highest levels as a result of the attempt to implement land reform. Thirdly, the weakness of the peasant movements has contributed to tardiness in implementation. But the most important reason of all is the 'legal impossibility' of land reform laws themselves.

had projected in rough and ready fashion some time ago by way of a crash power programme or large projects in non-ferrous and ferrous processing industries which would be geared not merely to domestic requirements hut also to the requirements of the world markets is now beginning to assume clearer shape. This is a far cry, indeed, from the Janata party's original ideas of Gandhian ways of development.

Development versus People Arun Sinha more than eight hours, sometimes postmen have to cover long distances and so village bazars or hats have become de facto mail distributing centres, The weight of mail bags was increased to 28 kgs from 14 kgs, thus foreing middle-aged persons to discontinue working. No overtime is allowed to EDAs, even for those working as night guards and darwans. These people also do not enjoy any facility of recruit- ment of dependants in case of accidental death. Night guards belong to the non- test category. Generally they have to work 12 hours instead of the normal five hours. They are fully responsible for security arrangements and any lapse by them invites criminal proceedings.

BIHAR The Bishrampur Carnage Arun Sinha THE landless labourers, sharecroppers and small peasants of Bishrampur had decided not to celebrate Holi this year. On March 2 their leader, Bansropan Sah, had been arrested on a murder charge. This 40-year-old peasant, whom the chief minister had described as "a hardened criminal", had in recent years emerged as a protector of the poor and oppressed of not only Bishrampur but also of neighbouring villages. Wherever the landlords committed violence against the people, he would jump into the fray on the people's side. He would organise meetings and address them. Two years ago, when the labourers of Akodhi had struck for higher wages, Bansropan had supported them.

If Reserve Bank could cull out from its computer sheets some key information in respect of units controlled by the large industrial houses it would be most useful.